Friday, October 12, 2012

A Love Letter

Want to know what A Giving Spirit Foundation has been up to this year?  Please read our annual letter to our supporters.

September 30, 2012


"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead


A Giving Spirit Foundation (AGSF) is a small group of people with two big goals: make the lives of women suffering from debilitating diseases a little easier; and participate in the larger, longer fight against ALS.

Who are some of the women we’ve helped this past year?  Women who were all employed mothers providing for their families until an illness forced them to the sidelines. Women who have exhausted all other resources and may be on the brink of losing their home or worse.  AGSF finds itself playing a critical role in supporting families and allowing them to heal with dignity and get themselves back to work and into society.

·         Ms. Y.:  Breast cancer, double mastectomy, hysterectomy.  A single mother of 4 children, Ms. Y was physically unable to work for 8 weeks during her treatment and fell behind in her rent and utility payments.  AGSF paid her rent and utilities until she was able to return to work.   

·         Ms. S:  Stage 4 breast cancer.  A single mother of a 17 year old son, Ms. S was forced to choose between making her rent payments and maintaining the insurance which was paying for her medication and treatments.  AGSF paid her rent until her social security benefits kicked in.

·         Ms. G:  Breast cancer, mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Ms. G was physically unable to work during her treatments and her short term disability benefits expired before she could return to work.  AGSF covered her rent and utilities until she was able to work again.

·         Ms. J:  Stage 4 breast cancer.  A single mother of a 12 year old daughter, Ms. J was in danger of being evicted while she waited for her disability benefits to start.  AGSF paid her back rent and allowed the family to stay in their apartment until she started receiving her full SS benefits.      

It is because of you that these women were able to stay in their home, pay for medical treatments and get back to work and continue to provide for their family.

In 2012, we decided to forgo our typical “one big event” fundraising method and instead went grassroots.  And how exciting it was to see individuals and local businesses step up and say to all of their friends and customers that “A Giving Spirit Foundation is an important organization and I want to lend my time and give my money to it.”

At the end of 2011 we unexpectedly received a $2500 grant from Stuart Levine & Associates.  As a result of this grant, we received a matching grant from Broadridge Financial Solutions. Both companies are located in the Northeast but Laura Somerville Woodall’s story and her dreams for AGSF reached the right people. Many, many thanks to Larry Tarica who made this gift of $5000 possible. 

In early 2012, Robyn Kilby Smith approached board member Lisa Bynum about running the South Park Racefest half marathon with her to raise funds for AGSF.  Through their CrowdRise fundraising pages, they raised over $4700 by the time they crossed the finish line in April. 

2012 marked the start of our first AGSF Awareness MonthWe chose May as AGSF Awareness month to coincide with three meaningful events: May is ALS Awareness month; May 5th is Laura Somerville Woodall's birthday and Mother’s Day is celebrated in May.  These three events are at the heart of AGSF so there was no better month in which to spread the word of what we do and who we help. 

Special thanks go to these supporters and businesses: 

·         Susan Perry Yarber of www.simpliSPY.com offered to host an info-cocktail party at FABO CafĂ© in Charlotte.  Attendees learned about AGSF and 10% of sales that evening from FABO went to AGSF.
·         Sabi Restaurant of Davidson extended their “Chow Down For Charity” from one day to three days and 10% of sales to AGSF supporters went to AGSF.
·         Main Street Books in Davidson gave a portion of their sales from Davidson Town Day to AGSF.
·         Ben & Jerry’s of Davidson hosted an ice cream social one evening and not only donated a percentage of sales but also donated all tips to AGSF.
·         Pam Hansen led a yoga “karma” class at GottaYoga Lake Norman and all participants donated their class fee to AGSF.
And these entrepreneurial kids prove it’s never too early to show their giving spirit:
·         Caroline and Michael Swartz hosted a lemonade and brownie stand in their neighborhood to benefit AGSF.
·         Mayella Strodel, Alli Fleming and Kylie Skovira created the “m.a.k. kandy kave” candy booth at Davidson Town Day and donated all their proceeds to AGSF.


We wish we had the space to acknowledge all of our generous donors.  Your gifts are deeply appreciated by the AGSF Board and the families and ALS research institutions who ultimately receive them.

In June, local magazine Lake Norman Currents decided to feature Laura Woodall and AGSF in that month’s issue. The headline gets it right: Light in the Face of Adversity; Laura Woodall’s courage fuels A Giving Spirit Foundation. If you did not have the opportunity to pick up a copy, you can view it online.  You can find the link posted on our website and Facebook page (links in left margin).

All of this leads to AGSF fulfilling the mission of helping deserving area mothers who are facing a debilitating disease. Each research discovery that Project A.L.S. or the ALS Association makes is also a result of these efforts.  

The goals for 2013 are simple: raise enough money to continue funding the grants that have proven vital to many area mothers; continue to support research institutions searching for a cure for ALS; and spread the word about this organization so that it can make a greater impact on the community and secure its legacy for years to come. 

That’s the hope of Laura Woodall and those that believe in A Giving Spirit. 

Margaret Mead is right, and this small group is indeed making progress.  But if 2012 has shown us anything, it will only happen with the continued support of each of you.


Sincerely,



A Giving Spirit Foundation Board of Trustees



PS:   The best way to stay up to date with A Giving Spirit Foundation is to “like” our Facebook page.  If you’re on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/agivingspirit and hit the “like” button.