Dear Friends,

Erinne's family has created a plan to begin a Fundraising Campaign for Erinne, to purchase a new van for her next year, as well as set up a trust to cover some of the uninsured medical costs incurred for Erinne. Our goal is $100,000. A big goal -- yes -- but not an impossible one. 

Their current van already has over 100,000 miles on it and the repairs are becoming more and more frequent, running into the thousands of dollars each time the van goes into the shop. This last trip in for repair, the van was in the shop the entire month of August. The other problem we have with the van is Erinne can no longer fit through the door in a sitting position. She is too tall (and with each subsequent back surgery, she is getting taller). The next van will need to have a special-order dropped floor and a special-order taller door opening, in addition to the wheelchair and lift modifications. The van and modifications will easily run $60,000.

Our plan is to begin this fundraising campaign this year, and carry it over until the goal is met. We are looking for fundraising ideas, as well as Friends of Erinne to help put those fundraisers on. We also are looking for people to assist us in contacting the TV, radio and newspaper media to help get the word out. We need a hand in contacting businesses who would be willing to help support one of these projects. We need help contacting the local politicians to get them involved. We would also like to somehow involve the Detroit Red Wings, since they are Erinne's beloved hockey team. (Erinne's absolute favorite Red Wing, Chris Osgood, is rumored to live just a few miles from here, in Plymouth.)  

We have set up a Friends of Erinne trust account at Chase Bank for direct donations to be made, should donors prefer that. (Chase Bank account # 2747823769). We also like to make donations to SMA Support (in honor of Erinne), should donors want to make a tax deductible donation. (SMA Support is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization). Some organizations offer matching funds (such as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and we need someone to check into that. https://service.thrivent.com/apps/FraternalOnline/public/ChapterLocator.jsp. We also plan to contact General Motors, Erinne's dad's employer, through his plant (GM Romulus Powertrain) to see what level of support they are willing to give "one of their own."  

We know you are a very busy person and your time is very valuable. We were hoping that you could look at your calendar for the next 15 months and figure out when the best time would be for you to be involved. Should you volunteer to help with a fundraising activity, we promise that no one will be 'stuck' with running the activity themselves. There will be plenty of Friends of Erinne who care, who will make themselves available to help.  We have put together an extensive list of successful fundraising stories that other friends and family of SMA children have done in the past, to help get brainstorming and ideas flowing. If you'd like a copy of this, please let us know. (One idea that is floating around is there is a very small local airport a mile from Erinne's house (Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal Airport) and some local celebs/newspeople have their private planes there. We think a unique fundraiser might be giving airplane rides, as part of a bigger event for Friends of Erinne Day. SMA Support just did a huge fundraiser, of which this particular idea was a huge hit. Check it out at http://www.glenndale.net/days/index.php  But we don't have a contact person at the Canton-Plymouth airport.)   In the next few weeks, we will have ready an informational piece on Erinne, along with a few pictures, to help you as you go out into the community and contact individuals.  

So, to recap, we need: 

** Fundraising ideas/activities/suggestions

** People willing to help put together those activities

** People willing to contact the TV, radio and print media, to help get the word out about Erinne's story (especially helpful if you have a PERSONAL contact with someone.)

** People willing to contact local politicians, to get them involved

** People willing to contact local businesses, to help support one of the fundraisers

** People willing to contact local philanthropic/service organizations, to see if they will assist us (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc.)  

** People willing to contact the Red Wing organization, and make them aware of Erinne (and her adoration for them, especially Chris Osgood, who lives in Plymouth), and our efforts, and see if they can help

** People willing to look into organizations/employers willing to offer matching funds

** Possibly someone with a contact with the Metro-Detroit GM/Ford/Chrysler dealers, who could help financially with the purchase of a conversion van. (The wheelchair modifications/lift is a separate cost)

And finally, if you could share this note with one or two people that you have spoke to in the past about Erinne, it will help us get the word out that much farther!!

We hope and pray that you will find it in your heart to help Erinne out and make this dream a reality. Please email (Erinnesmom@gmail.com) or call (734-560-1242) and let us know what you might be interested in doing, suggestions you may have, and if you want to peek at the fundraiser idea packet.

THANK YOU, from the bottom of our hearts, and especially from Erinne.

Sincerely,

Erinne's Mom, Suzanne, Poppa, Nana Lou, Uncle Gregg, Aunt Jodi, Aunt 'Nette & Uncle Tom

(aka Suzanne Williams, Ron & Lou Budenaers, Gregg & Jodi Budenaers, Lynette Budenaers & Tom Kennedy)