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
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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
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
Monday, February 1, 2010
Gift Cards for Valentine’s Day Fundraiser
This month we are offering a variety of handcrafted paper, food and jewelry items perfect for gifts to your special someone. In addition to the beautiful Valentine’s Day cards, gift bags and other items, we also have 22 extraordinary gift card packets for every occasion. Please take a few moments to go through these one-of-a-kind gift cards sets and choose the package that right for you.
There are two different types of Gift Card Sets; Variety Greeting Card sets and Thank You card sets.
Variety Greeting Card Sets
Greeting Cards – Variety Sage Polka - Gift Set 146 - Happy Birthday, Celebrate, Best Wishes, Happy Father’s Day and Mother - $7.50
Greeting Cards – Variety Sage Floral - Gift Set 154 – Thinking of You, Thank You, Happy Birthday and Congratulation - $6.50
Greeting Cards – Variety Sunset - Gift Set 161 – Thank You, Thinking of You, Today is Your Fun Day, Thank You and Hi - $8
Greeting Cards – Variety Horizontally Blue- Gift Set 167 – Enjoy Life, Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Cherish Friends and Thank You - $7.50
Greeting Cards – Variety Mint Cupcake - Gift Set 173 – Thank You, Happy Birthday, Miss You, Thinking of You and Thank You - $6.25
Greeting Cards – Variety Purple Polka - Gift Set 180 – Together 4 Ever, Thank You, Happy Birthday, Congratulations and Thinking of You - $6.25
Greeting Cards – Variety Vintage Mauve - Gift Set 186 – Birthday “The Best Part”, Best Wishes, Thank You and Happy Birthday - $6.50
Greeting Cards – Variety Squiggles and Stripes - Gift Set 191 – Remember I Love You, Memories, Hi Laughter Smile, Together Always & Smile - $7
Greeting Cards – Variety Scalloped Edge - Gift Set 197 – Thank You, Friendship, Happy Birthday, Celebrate and Thanks - $7.00
Greeting Cards – Variety Blue Moon - Gift Set 203 – Thank You, I Love You and Hi - $5.50
Greeting Cards – Variety Vintage - Gift Set 215 – Congratulations, Happy Birthday, Thinking of You and Thank You - $6.50
Greeting Cards – Variety Modern Floral - Gift Set 225 – Thank You, Best Wishes, Happy Birthday and Thinking of You - $5.00
Greeting Cards – Variety Friendship - Gift Set 230 – ”Friendship is like a Bouquet of flowers, sweet and Beautiful” - $5.75
Greeting Cards – Variety Polka Flower- Gift Set 236 – ”Hi” - $5.75
Thank You Card Sets
Greeting Cards – Thank You Lavender Floral - Gift Set 159 – Thank You - $7.50
Greeting Cards – Thank You Aqua Filigree - Gift Set 207 – Thank You - $7.50
Greeting Cards – Thank You Forest Bubbles - Gift Set 209 – Thank You - $7.50
Greeting Cards – Thank You Autumn Floral - Gift Set 220 – Thank You - $6.00
Greeting Cards – Thank You Fuzzy Floral - Gift Set 232 – Thank You - $7.00
Greeting Cards – Message of Thanks - Gift Set 234 – Thanks - $6.00
Greeting Cards – Thank You Gorgeous Girl - Gift Set 238 – Thanks - $6.50
Greeting Cards – Thank You Modern Mint - Gift Set 241 – Thanks - $7.00
Valentine’s Day Cards
Our February Valentine’s Day Fundraiser, has begun and my sister Danielle created over 75 different card designs for our supporters to choose from. Feel free to look through the below designs and choose your favorite card to either purchase separately or to accompany your gift bag.
Our Level 1 group are our highest quality, handcrafted gift cards available in 45 different styles. Each of these beautiful cards is available for $3.00 each. Click on the photo album below to see all of our creative designs. 
Danielle has designed 21 different Level 2 cards including some adorable heart-shaped, scalloped cards. Click on the “View Full Album” button for photos of these beautiful designs. Priced at $2.50 each.
For our bargain shoppers we now have 10 Level 3 cards at the low price of $2.00 each which is a steal for handcrafted cards. Images available below for each design.
If you would like to order one of the Valentine’s cards you see here or if you would like to choose one of these cards for your Valentine’s Day gift bag, please email hopeformckenna@gmail.com and we will be happy to help you.
Thank you for your continued support of Hope for McKenna. Look for additional posts regarding our gift card packets, our jewelry collection and our edible gifts.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Valentine's Day Fundraiser
Love is in the air and we have put together some beautiful handmade gifts for your special Valentine. All of the proceeds from our gift bags and other hand-crafted items go directly to the Hope for McKenna fundraiser. We have scrapbook albums, gift/thank you card sets, rose sachets and Valentine's Day cards. We also have decorated gift bags that include your choice of Valentine's card and pack of handmade gift cards as well as a rose sachet, 6 mini heart-shaped brownies and 6 decorated sugar cookies. The gift bag collection shown on the right includes a 5 count variety pack of cards and a large $3 Valentine's Day card. The hand-made Valentine's Day cards come in 3 different sizes and over 75 different styles. There are three different sizes and prices.
- Level 1 - 45 different designs for $3.00 each – View Album
- Level 2 - 21 different designs for $2.50 each – View Album
- Level 3 - 10 different designs for $2.00 each – View Album
You are welcome to choose any card to accompany your gift bag but be aware that there is only one of each style. The gift card and thank you card packets come in 20 different varieties. These beautifully crafted cards have messages such as "Happy Birthday", "Thinking of You", "Thank You", "Congratulations", "Friendship", "Missing You", "Best Wishes" and many more. The gift card packs are $7 and $8 and the price is dependent upon the size and quantity of cards in each pack.
Lastly, we have five wonderful scrapbooks for sale. The first book is titled "Our Vacation" and is a 6" x 6" book including 22 pages for you to add your families travel photos. The second book is a handmade, one-of-a-kind, 30-page, 6" x 6" album and it is the perfect gift for your special l
oved one. Give as a Mother's Day, birthday, or new baby gift. Each page has photo size written in pencil so that you can easily trim and add your photos. All pages coordinate and look great with black and white, sepia and colored photos.
Our third and fourth 6" x 6"albums compliment each other and are entitled "All About Me" and "Punk Rock".
"All About Me" has 22 black, white and red colored pages and is perfect for your "punk rocker" teenager or your "wild child". The matching album has a hard cover and 20 fun-
loving and rockin' designs for you to fill with your coolest photos. And last but definitely not least is the colorful "Our Boy" album with 20 adorable 6" x 6" pages designed for the little fella in your life.
loving and rockin' designs for you to fill with your coolest photos. And last but definitely not least is the colorful "Our Boy" album with 20 adorable 6" x 6" pages designed for the little fella in your life.
I will be posting more photos in the days to come of the different varieties of cards, Valentine's, the scrapbooking pages and other items for sale.
If you would like to order a gift bag for your Valentine, please email us at hopeformckenna@gmail.com.
All orders must be placed by February 8th to ensure delivery by Friday, February 12th. For those of you in the Birmingham, AL area, the due date is February 10th.
Thank you for your continued support of Hope for McKenna. Your fundraiser participation and donations have helped our little niece get the treatment she needs for her cleft lip and cleft palate. Thank you and God Bless!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Win Movie Passes to Rave or AMC
The tickets are valued up to $10.50 for Rave and $10 for AMC and have no movie restrictions. Though we appreciate your enthusiastic participation you are only eligible to enter the drawing one time. All individuals that donate to Hope for McKenna in January will be entered into the drawing unless they specifically request exclusion. Any donation amounts exceeding $1, though much appreciated, do not qualify applicant(s) for multiple entries into this contest. If you have any further questions regarding this fundraiser, please click here.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Who’s Up for a Movie?
The tickets are valued up to $10.50 and have no movie restrictions. Though we appreciate your enthusiastic participation you are only eligible to enter the drawing one time. All individuals that donate to Hope for McKenna in January will be entered into the drawing unless they specifically request exclusion. Any donation amounts exceeding $1, though much appreciated, do not qualify applicant(s) for multiple entries into this contest. If you have any further questions regarding this fundraiser, please click here.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bake Sale Encore!
Wow! Thank you to those of you who participated in today's bake sale. Not only did we sell all the goodies but some of my wonderful co-workers also made monetary donations to Hope for McKenna. We netted $151 today! To make the day even better, I have requests for more cookies. I spent the evening making 8 dozen 
If you know of any great fundraising ideas, please send them our way. It is so easy to just ask, ask, ask but it is more fulfilling to give something heartfelt in return for the donations.
Thank you again to all that support Hope for McKenna. Hopefully, in the near future, we can spread the kindness our family and friends have shown us to another family in need.
Thanks,
Aunt Brandy
Monday, December 21, 2009
Bake Sale Fundraiser
Tomorrow, December 22nd, we will be holding a bake sale fundraiser at my office to help raise additional funds for Hope for McKenna.
I will be selling and/or raffling off three tubs of Chocolate Chunk & Pecan Cookies (18 count) as well as three take-out boxes of the Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies (6 count). I made them all tonight with Nestle brand chocolate chips. I also have a tree-shaped, glass candy canister filled with various Christmas candy such as Snickers, Whoppers, Chocolate Crisps, Hershey’s chocolates and cherry cordial Hershey’s kisses. I also have a coffee mug filled with Hershey’s candy and some chocolate angels. I am trying to decide what will be sold and what will be raffled off. The only thing I forgot was to buy raffle tickets. I am sure I’ll make do.
Thank you for all your support during our efforts to raise money for McKenna. Our goal is to help alleviate the financial burden that her 6 surgeries in the past two years have created. Any money that we raise above and beyond her medical expenses will be donated to a cleft palate association chosen by the Conrad family.
Thank you again for your support and if you have the opportunity, please participate in the fundraiser tomorrow in Mt. Laurel.
Brandy Pate
A Chance To Win Movie Passes Coming This January!
I am excited to say that I got the go ahead from the movie theater so starting January 1st we are raffling off two movie passes to the Rave movie theater. Anyone who makes at least a $1 donation on our website will be entered into a drawing to win two movie passes. I will send out an alert the 1st of January. A name will be randomly chosen on January 31st. Good Luck!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Now Join Us On Facebook!
We are happy to announce that we created a new Facebook account for Hope for McKenna. We did this in an effort to spread the word about McKenna’s successful cleft lip and cleft palate operations. We hope to provide support and guidance to families that are currently going through these surgeries or success stories of children that have completed their surgeries. Please visit our group and share your stories.
To join our Facebook group please click here: Hope for McKenna
Thanks,
Brandy Pate
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
McKenna’s Doing Great
We just wanted to update everyone on Ms. McKenna. She is doing very well and has adjusted wonderfully after her surgeries 6 months ago. I was able to take a trip to West Palm Beach to visit the Conrad family earlier last month. The whole crew was doing wonderfully. McKenna has grown so much and she is a pretty excellent swimmer not to mention an adorable little girl. Bela bear is
people commented on their adorable and unique costumes. Too cute!
McKenna really is doing great and so are The Conrad's and that is in part thanks to all of you. Your donations and purchases during our various fundraisers has truly relieved the financial burden McKenna’s surgeries have incurred. I am proud to say that to date we have earned $1504.46. $220.00 of that was solely from the A Mother’s Love kits that were sold through www.scrapoutsidethebox.com. A huge thank you goes to Walter and Pam Pate for their generous donation to McKenna. We can not thank you enough for helping your extended family.
But there is still much we need to do to finish our task at hand. Our current funds will take care of the minimum monthly payments through February of this year but we still need over $3,600. We have some great ideas lined up for earning funds including art projects, bake sales, and much, much more. We look forward to sharing more of McKenna’s adventures and our creative ideas with all of you. Be sure to visit our sister (no pun intended) sites to see what activities we have going on in the creative market.
Thank you again everyone and of course, Happy Holidays!
Brandy Pate a.k.a Aunt Bannee
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