Sunday, December 18, 2011
Merry Christmas from Eddie and his family
Dear Supporters of Eddie's Fund,
On behalf of Eddie and his family, I'd like to wish you a very merry Christmas season!
We so appreciate your prayers and support for Eddie during these past months. A handful of people have chosen to give monthly to the Fund. We had a generous donor emerge to help us pay off their family's car this fall. And colleagues at our workplaces raised a couple hundred dollars in support of Eddie's Fund this holiday season. For all these gifts, we are so grateful.
These months have been difficult ones for Eddie and his family. Eddie has continued to struggle with his health in some very serious ways. I've been very concerned with him as he continues to use a feeding tube and to struggle with maintaining a healthy weight. This November/December marked SIX YEARS since Eddie's original diagnosis, and I mourned the passing of that time with Eddie's mom, Kori. And, sadly, Eddie's grandmother passed away the day after Thanksgiving, compounding the family's grief.
In all of this, the generosity of a few strangers has been very meaningful to Kori. Besides paying off their family car, the Fund was able to help with some car repairs (especially when the car's tires fell off one day on their way home from a Boston hospital visit!--we are so glad they were safe) and to help with some other bills, too. As always, we pay these bills directly to the bill companies, and 100% of all your donations go directly to these payments. I can't tell you how often Kori has called me in tears...for all the sadness of these months, I've been surprised to find they are so often tears of joy as she calls to thank me for another paid bill, another relief, another surprising gift. Thank you, friends. You have loved well, and in this particular season, your burden-carrying has been especially meaningful.
Please continue to pray for Eddie and his family as Eddie's medical complications continue to confound the best bone marrow doctors in Boston. Tomorrow I'll sit down with Kori, Eddie's mom, over our annual Christmas lunch-out, and give her a big hug, and think of all of you, and be very grateful for how you have shared in this family's journey.
Blessings to you,
Melissa
Saturday, September 17, 2011
on behalf of Eddie and his mom...a BIG thank you!
Dear Friends of Eddie,
On behalf of Eddie, Kori, and Marshall, I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for partnering with Eddie's Fund. We've raised over $4,000 in the last few months (thanks to coffee sales, Moriah's birthday donations, our Fuddrucker's night, generous monthly givers, and a surprise donor)...and today, after years of making car payments to help out Eddie's family, I made one final payment and purchased their family car completely. As you know, this has been one of my big goals since last fall, and I hope you will CELEBRATE with us as we acknowledge what a group of good-hearted people can accomplish together.
Your generosity has OVERFLOWED in these last months, months that have been especially challenging for Eddie and his family. Where suffering increases, it seems that grace increases all the more! I'm grateful for the way so much good can be born out of so much pain. Thank you for being a friend to Eddie, a boy many of you have not yet met, and for loving him as we do.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can only pray God will BLESS you today for all your generosity and kindness.
Much love,
Melissa
P.S. Eddie continues with his feeding tube, which (as you can imagine) is a great annoyance to him, and tiring for Kori, who is up throughout the night to refill it. Thank you for asking so frequently about how they are doing...they need our prayers for courage and strength.
On behalf of Eddie, Kori, and Marshall, I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for partnering with Eddie's Fund. We've raised over $4,000 in the last few months (thanks to coffee sales, Moriah's birthday donations, our Fuddrucker's night, generous monthly givers, and a surprise donor)...and today, after years of making car payments to help out Eddie's family, I made one final payment and purchased their family car completely. As you know, this has been one of my big goals since last fall, and I hope you will CELEBRATE with us as we acknowledge what a group of good-hearted people can accomplish together.
Your generosity has OVERFLOWED in these last months, months that have been especially challenging for Eddie and his family. Where suffering increases, it seems that grace increases all the more! I'm grateful for the way so much good can be born out of so much pain. Thank you for being a friend to Eddie, a boy many of you have not yet met, and for loving him as we do.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can only pray God will BLESS you today for all your generosity and kindness.
Much love,
Melissa
P.S. Eddie continues with his feeding tube, which (as you can imagine) is a great annoyance to him, and tiring for Kori, who is up throughout the night to refill it. Thank you for asking so frequently about how they are doing...they need our prayers for courage and strength.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
thanks...and keep praying
Moriah had a profitable birthday season! After 3 (that's right, count 'em, THREE) birthday parties, we were amazed and humbled to realize her celebrations had raised over $700 in contributions to Eddie's Fund! Thank you to our family, friends, and Down syndrome support group for loving on Eddie on Moriah's (and our) behalf!
Please do keep Eddie in your prayers. On Wednesday, Eddie will undergo yet another surgery--this time, for his mouth, which has been damaged by GVH (bone marrow rejection) disease. Because his mouth cannot open very far, it's become increasingly difficult for Eddie to eat, and in the last year, we've watched as Eddie's weight has plummetted. While we have hope that the surgery will help, the doctors are opting to begin G-tube nutrition in the meantime. As you can imagine, our family, and Eddie's, are really upset by this news, as it represents a setback for Eddie.
And yet we continue to be encouraged by the many ways so many of you continue to think of Eddie. Unsolicited donations at Moriah's birthdate and birthday parties, online contributions, coffee purchases, and an upcoming wedding donation...these help Eddie's mom to continue on to support Eddie's brave fight. Thank you, friends. This week, he needs your prayers. Thank you again for joining with us to love our dear friend.
Please do keep Eddie in your prayers. On Wednesday, Eddie will undergo yet another surgery--this time, for his mouth, which has been damaged by GVH (bone marrow rejection) disease. Because his mouth cannot open very far, it's become increasingly difficult for Eddie to eat, and in the last year, we've watched as Eddie's weight has plummetted. While we have hope that the surgery will help, the doctors are opting to begin G-tube nutrition in the meantime. As you can imagine, our family, and Eddie's, are really upset by this news, as it represents a setback for Eddie.
And yet we continue to be encouraged by the many ways so many of you continue to think of Eddie. Unsolicited donations at Moriah's birthdate and birthday parties, online contributions, coffee purchases, and an upcoming wedding donation...these help Eddie's mom to continue on to support Eddie's brave fight. Thank you, friends. This week, he needs your prayers. Thank you again for joining with us to love our dear friend.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Eddie's Fund Runs on COFFEE!
It's Summertime! Which means for us here at Eddie's Fund, we're enjoying the sun, more time with our families and of course, frequent cups of ice cold coffee. As we sipped our java recently we thought about all the different brews and brands we've tried and we remembered...we need to place our July coffee order online! And so do you! Because when you purchase your java through "Just Love Coffee Store" (http://www.justlovecoffee.
We hope you'll make buying coffee through Just Love Coffee a regular part of your grocery shopping. You can order one bag at a time or sign up to receive a monthly automatic shipment. Either way, Eddie's Fund receives $5 PER BAG. You're spending the money on coffee anyway, why not donate at the same time?
We've set a goal of adding 40 people ordering 2 bags per month, which would be a donation of $400 per month. Will you join us in this great cause?
We'd also like to add to our contribution base. Would you send an email to us at eddiesfund@gmail.com with at least FIVE email addresses of friends or family you know who would participate in this simple fundraiser?
Thanks on behalf of Eddie and his family!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
thank you!
Dear Supporters of Eddie's Fund,
On behalf of Eddie and his mom, we want to THANK all of you who came out for our Fuddrucker's event last week!
We believe we raised over $700 in one evening (final numbers are still pending from Fuddruckers)! Thank you for such a show of support!
Most importantly, the evening marked the first time Eddie has ever been able to appear at one of his own fundraisers. We were THRILLED to see him out of the house and hospital, and could tell that he was deeply excited about the many of you who came out to show your love and support for his recovery process.
On behalf of Eddie's Fund, we thank you for your kindness to an amazing family.
The Winchell family
On behalf of Eddie and his mom, we want to THANK all of you who came out for our Fuddrucker's event last week!
We believe we raised over $700 in one evening (final numbers are still pending from Fuddruckers)! Thank you for such a show of support!
Most importantly, the evening marked the first time Eddie has ever been able to appear at one of his own fundraisers. We were THRILLED to see him out of the house and hospital, and could tell that he was deeply excited about the many of you who came out to show your love and support for his recovery process.
On behalf of Eddie's Fund, we thank you for your kindness to an amazing family.
The Winchell family
Friday, May 27, 2011
coming to a Fuddruckers near you...
...the Winchell family and a night out for Eddie's Fund!
Join us at the Reading Fuddruckers on Thursday, June 23rd, from 5- 8 p.m.
If you bring this flyer (just click on the link and print it out), the restaurant will donate 20% of your meal to the Fund!
And...we'll be raffling off 2 Red Sox tickets to an August game (date TBD), including a pre-game on-field batting practice tour!!! You're not going to want to miss a chance to win the Red Sox experience, to eat a great burger, and to see the Winchells (let's be honest...we know Moriah is the main attraction). ALL this...and a chance to love on our buddy Eddie! What could be better?!
See you on the 23rd!
Join us at the Reading Fuddruckers on Thursday, June 23rd, from 5- 8 p.m.
If you bring this flyer (just click on the link and print it out), the restaurant will donate 20% of your meal to the Fund!
And...we'll be raffling off 2 Red Sox tickets to an August game (date TBD), including a pre-game on-field batting practice tour!!! You're not going to want to miss a chance to win the Red Sox experience, to eat a great burger, and to see the Winchells (let's be honest...we know Moriah is the main attraction). ALL this...and a chance to love on our buddy Eddie! What could be better?!
See you on the 23rd!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
a new way to support Eddie's Fund
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for Eddie! He has struggled this winter with a host of medical issues; in fact, he is scheduled for ocular surgery this week.
Your support for Eddie's Fund continues to strengthen Eddie and his mom, who are both very weary from a long winter full of hospital visits. Our family is working on a few fundraisers for Eddie's Fund this month, including some school-based fundraising and a restaurant night (stay tuned for details).
In the meantime, we've discovered a wonderful way to continue our fundraising efforts--by selling fair trade coffee! Please visit our "coffee store" (using the link on the right). For every bag of coffee you purchase, you'll be supporting a coffee farmer, a wonderful organization that's helping adoptive families (Just Love Coffee Roasters), AND Edddie's Fund. In fact, Eddie's Fund will receive $5 of every bag you purchase.
We're hoping for 40 families who will commit to Just Love's "Coffee Club." You'll receive 2 bags of coffee every month without having to re-order each time, resulting in a $10/month donation to Eddie's Fund (and 2 yummy fair trade coffees for your home). Consider becoming one of our 40 Coffee Club supporters.
Whether you purchase coffee just this once or each month, thank you again for your continued love for our buddy Eddie. Our family continues to be so grateful for the kindness you express to a boy you have not met. Eddie's life--in all its struggle--has certainly touched so many.
With thanks from Eddie's family and ours,
Melissa
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for Eddie! He has struggled this winter with a host of medical issues; in fact, he is scheduled for ocular surgery this week.
Your support for Eddie's Fund continues to strengthen Eddie and his mom, who are both very weary from a long winter full of hospital visits. Our family is working on a few fundraisers for Eddie's Fund this month, including some school-based fundraising and a restaurant night (stay tuned for details).
In the meantime, we've discovered a wonderful way to continue our fundraising efforts--by selling fair trade coffee! Please visit our "coffee store" (using the link on the right). For every bag of coffee you purchase, you'll be supporting a coffee farmer, a wonderful organization that's helping adoptive families (Just Love Coffee Roasters), AND Edddie's Fund. In fact, Eddie's Fund will receive $5 of every bag you purchase.
We're hoping for 40 families who will commit to Just Love's "Coffee Club." You'll receive 2 bags of coffee every month without having to re-order each time, resulting in a $10/month donation to Eddie's Fund (and 2 yummy fair trade coffees for your home). Consider becoming one of our 40 Coffee Club supporters.
Whether you purchase coffee just this once or each month, thank you again for your continued love for our buddy Eddie. Our family continues to be so grateful for the kindness you express to a boy you have not met. Eddie's life--in all its struggle--has certainly touched so many.
With thanks from Eddie's family and ours,
Melissa
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
thank you...and prayers
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your Christmas card purchases and holiday donations! Together, we raised $1,600 for Eddie's Fund. Every month as I pay the bills that keep Eddie's family afloat, I'm so grateful to you on their behalf.
Please continue in your prayers for Eddie. The last 2 months have been full of difficult news regarding Eddie's health; today he's being admitted to the hospital after another epileptic episode. My heart breaks for our buddy Eddie and for his five-year fight against aplastic anemia and transplant rejection disease. Tonight I'm asking God how long an amazing boy must suffer, and pleading again for a miracle.
No one wants a miracle more than Eddie's mom Kori. On the phone with her today, your donations and outpouring of support for Eddie continue to sustain her. Your acts of kindness help her to know she is not forgotten. While I wonder why Eddie suffers, I also marvel at how much love and hope he has awakened in all of us. Your great love for a boy most of you have never met is divinely inspired.
Thank you for continuing to support Eddie's Fund whenever and however you can. Today, he needs your prayers.
With hope for Eddie,
Melissa
Thank you for your Christmas card purchases and holiday donations! Together, we raised $1,600 for Eddie's Fund. Every month as I pay the bills that keep Eddie's family afloat, I'm so grateful to you on their behalf.
Please continue in your prayers for Eddie. The last 2 months have been full of difficult news regarding Eddie's health; today he's being admitted to the hospital after another epileptic episode. My heart breaks for our buddy Eddie and for his five-year fight against aplastic anemia and transplant rejection disease. Tonight I'm asking God how long an amazing boy must suffer, and pleading again for a miracle.
No one wants a miracle more than Eddie's mom Kori. On the phone with her today, your donations and outpouring of support for Eddie continue to sustain her. Your acts of kindness help her to know she is not forgotten. While I wonder why Eddie suffers, I also marvel at how much love and hope he has awakened in all of us. Your great love for a boy most of you have never met is divinely inspired.
Thank you for continuing to support Eddie's Fund whenever and however you can. Today, he needs your prayers.
With hope for Eddie,
Melissa
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