Wednesday, September 29, 2010
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE
We are printing a second run of the t-shirts! Please let me know if you would like to purchase one either on email or in the comment box on the blog. You can pay via paypal or by check. Thanks so much. We are thrilled that so many people have shown an interest in the t-shirt.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Thank You for Making the Benefit a Success!
Bridget and I would like to thank EVERYONE who contributed in so many different ways to making the benefit an absolute success.
Over 200 people attended the silent auction and concert at Gibson Guitar Room. Over sixty items were donated to the silent auction. And over 40 golfers played in the event on Saturday at Dubsdread.
It's impossible to briefly describe everything everyone did behind the scenes. But, I will try. Caitlin Barry Van Voorhis, who owns Finnhenry's, was a superhero. She booked the awesome space at Gibson Guitar Room, donated ALL libations for the bar, and had some of her wonderful bartenders from Finnhenry's work the event (thank you to Larissa + Chad). The event would not, could not have happened without the support and kindness of Caitlin.
Steven Foxbury and his band, the Battle Sigh, put on an incredible show, playing a mix of fan favorites and new releases that were outstanding. We can't wait for the new album to be released. We are all so incredibly to lucky to know and love Steve---a good soul with an incredible gift that brings people together, giving us music and lyrics that make life more special and meaningful.
Kim Fox and Tom Macaluso both created original works of art to help publicize and remember the events. Kim produced the jellyfish design that graced t-shirts and posters. The t-shirts were so popular, we've been asked to keep selling them on this blog and have found it necessary to do a second run. The posters are part of a numbered series and there are some still available (please email Bridget if you are interested hellobridget@gmail.com). Tom made the poster announcing the golf event and it was absolutely perfect for the event.
Kevin Miller is the man to thank for planning the golf event at Dubsdread from start to finish. It is no small task to get a group of 40 people together at 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning the night after a great concert.
Meredith Miller Wilcke helped by photographing Finn and producing a slideshow that incorporates video and ingenious transitions, allowing family and friends see and celebrate our son.
John Nico worked tirelessly to help plan and coordinate the silent auction. We could not have done it without John's help!
So many people and businesses (listed to the left) donated to the silent auction.
So many people also helped at the event itself: helping at the door, helping at the silent auction, helping at the booth for posters and t-shirts, helping at the bar, helping set up, etc. And everyone helped, just by being there and we are truly grateful.
Contributions continue to come in through the mail, and through paypal on this blog, from people who could not attend but want to help.
It is humbling to benefit from such a great outpouring of support.
Financially, the benefit has been a success. To date over $15,000 has been raised. But, more important to Bridget and I, emotionally, the benefit tells us that we are not fighting Diamond Blackfan Anemia alone.
Hundreds of people, friends and family, are pulling for us, praying for us, and selflessly giving in support of our son, Finn Gunderson, a blessed, beautiful boy who is still too young to even know he has DBA, but who will never have reason to doubt whether he is special.
Thank you, everyone. We are truly grateful and are blessed by your support.
Pictures from the event can be seen here.