The Next Step

Let's start by saying "Thank You" to everyone that has purchased, donated, supported, motivated or prayed for our endeavors over that last three years. McKenna is a special little girl and deserves every second of our thoughts and prayers. Since her birth January 12, 2008, McKenna has endured several major surgeries, overnight hospital stays and additional medical treatment to repair her cleft lip and cleft palate. In February of 2009 Sandy Johnson (McKenna's nana) Danielle Fenning (McKenna's aunt) and myself (McKenna's aunt) have worked hard to raise money to help with the medical expenses that the insurance and family were unable to cover at the time. The total cost when we began this project was $5,175.11. I am proud to say that as of today we have paid off $2,525.11 of those bills through our efforts. The expenses remaining are $2,650 and we have $396.20 sitting in her designated bank account for the monthly payment of $50.00. I called the agency that is handling the medical bills and I am told that we can settle the account for 60% of the cost. Currently that would be $1590.00 which is a little out of our reach right now. I know that we aren't there yet but I am hoping by January we might have raised enough with our craft sales to pay off all the old bills from the past few years.

Why am I telling you all this? First off, I want our organization to be full disclosure. Since we are not a 501C not-for-profit organization, we really want our donators and supporters to know where their money is going. We use the funds we raise to pay back the crafter for their products. We also have business expenses such as the website, booths at craft fairs, displays and other minor expenses. All other money goes directly to McKenna's bank account and pays off these past bills.

We want to work hard to get these paid off in the next few months because McKenna is now 3 ½ and needs to begin her speech therapy. I was blessed to spend the last week with my sisters, mother and the rest of the Perez family for my Cousin Kristy's wedding. While we were together our wonderful family went through all of our craft projects and purchased items for themselves and their little ones. I was able to see firsthand the love and support that our family provides each other in their time of need.

I want to share with you one of the little videos that was taken of McKenna while we visited. This will allow you to see her improvements from her cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries. It will also allow you to hear a little bit of her speech and understand that this next step is a necessary one.

Please if you have any questions or comments regarding our fundraising efforts or McKenna's treatment, feel free to contact me. Thank you all and God Bless.

Brandy Pate
(205) 706-9145 mobile
www.cookingwithbrandy.com/store to purchase items to support McKenna
https://www.facebook.com/KennasKornerBowtique

Thank You! It Means So Much To Us!

We just want to say Thank You to all of you that have supported us so well over the last few years and months especially. We have had the great pleasure of participating in many Birmingham area events displaying Danielle's jewelry, Sandy's crocheted items, Tracy's hair accessories and our scrapbooking products. I can't thank you all enough for your tremendous support and overwhelming encouragement towards our cause.

August was a stellar month and we earned over $200 to go towards McKenna's past and upcoming medical expenses. September was just as successful with over $145 going towards our cause. This month has proven to be another great month with close to $100 for the medical bills. I thank every one of our friends and family for their support, kindness, friendship and understanding.

Now I would like to thank the ladies responsible.

Danielle Fenning you are a master at all things crafty. You have produced over 300 pieces of absolutely beautiful jewelry and have been selfless in these fundraising efforts. Danielle gives every penny over costs directly to the Hope for McKenna fundraising effort down to the last cent. I truly admire your dedication to your family and your eye for design. Thank you for being a wonderful sister.

Mom aka Sandy, I attribute our love for the arts and craft making to you entirely. I am so pleased that your three girls were given even a small semblance of your talents and we have used it for a good cause. Your crocheted items have been a joy to see and our friends and customers just love them. I know you love to try out new designs and surprise us every month with your new creations. I look forward to each and every package. Thank you for your love and support and I pray that your seven grandchildren will gain some of your talents as well.

Tracy, you are a darling mother of three and an inspiration to us all. Thank you for allowing us to be such a big part of your life and for letting us work with you to help alleviate some of this financial burden. Your crafty hair accessories are adorable and fun! Each piece shows the whimsy that your family of fun-loving little girls possess.

Lastly to McKenna, you are such a sweet little girl. I cannot tell you enough how much your mommy, Aunt Dani, Aunt Brandy and Nana Sandy just adore you. I hope one day when you are a little older, you will understand that you gave us the opportunity to do something that we love so dearly for someone we love more than the world. Your mommy, daddy, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and everyone around you want nothing but the best for you. Each time I see your adorable grin with one of Nana's hats on or your mommy's bows, I know that God gave us these talents to help our family. You are an angel.

To all of you out there that have bought a pumpkin hat for your new arrival or a cute necklace as a gift for a friend, I hope you know that it means more than that. Each dollar goes to help a little girl and her family have the best life they can possibly have. Sometimes, the smallest gesture can mean the world to someone without you even knowing. I hope now you know.

Good Night and God Bless,
Brandy Pate