Silent auction items so far

Good morning!

I wanted to post the silent auction items in case any of you can't attend the benefit but wanted to bid on something. If you see something of interest to you, send your name, phone number, the name and number of the item and the price you want to pay to Kerri Sweeris at dougandkerrisweeris@hotmail.com

Remember that the price listed is only the retail value, and we are trying to raise enough money to pay Linda's rent and insurance for 5 months. That's about $4500.00. If you REALLY want it, remember, too, that others will be bidding on it as well.

Also, I thought I'd include the bank information for her benefit account: If you'd like to contribute in this way, send a check made out to Byron Bank, with the memo line stating "benefit for Linda Tacoma." Mail it to: Byron Bank, 1963 Baldwin, Jenison, MI 49428.

I talked to Linda yesterday. She's pretty tired and kinda zoned out from the pain meds. Her next appointment is August 12, for a check-up with her doctor.

Thanks!

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
All of these items were generously donated free of charge. The retail price of each item is listed so you have any idea of what the products are worth. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY! Every penny from this auction goes directly to Linda. Thanks!

1. Hand crocheted pink-yellow-lilac afghan $40.00
2. Hand crocheted burgandy and white striped afghan $35.00
3. Towne Air Freight Die Cast Truck $15.00
4. One hour massage given by Jenny Begeman in Kalamazoo $50.00
5. One hour of supervised horseback riding in Martin $40.00
6. Gift certificate to Phases Salon on Cascade Road haircut and style $45.00
7. Gift certificate to Phases Salon on Cascade Road haircut and style $45.00
8. Pink and white decorative wreath $30.00
9. Creative Memories album $30.00
10. Creative Memories album $30.00
11. Creative Memories basket $73.00
12. Creative Memories package $78.00
13. Gift Certificate to Redux Books Used and Rare Books (Lake Dr.) $25.00
14. Body butter gift baskets $30.00
15. Body butter gift baskets $30.00
16. Cherry and maple 8x10 handcrafted picture frame $25.00
17. Maple 8x10 handcrafted picture frame $15.00
18. Maple 8x10 handcrafted picture frame $15.00
19. Red oak 8x10 handcrafted picture frame $15.00
20. Handcrafted wooden table $40.00
21. One month gift certificate to Curves $30.00
22. One month gift certificate to Curves $30.00
23. Starbucks gift box and coffee $25.00
24. PartyLite 16 votive sampler $15.00
25. PartyLite Tealight combo (12 candles) $10.00
26. Market Day Gourmet Artichoke Dip $7.00
27. Glade scented oil candle $6.00
28. Birthday part at bowling alley (pending)
29. Haircut at (pending)
30. Manicure/pedicure at (pending)
31. Massage at (pending)
32. Bowling Ball (pending)
33. Body Butter gift basket $30.00
34. Body Butter gift basket $30.00
35. Body butter gift basket $30.00
36. Body butter gift basket $30.00
37. Antique German cream pitcher signed by artist $25.00
38. Two 2, 18 hole rounds at the Meadows GVSU golf course (not sure)
39. Day sponsorship to honor Linda on Blue Lake public radio $175.00
40. Gift certificate to Applebees $15.00
41. Manicure/pedicure $90.00 at Studio One in Kentwood
42. Seaweed wrap and sea scrub $95.00 at Studio One in Kentwood
43. WZZM hat and mug $10.00
44. Gift certificate to Red Robin $10.00
45. Gift certificate to Red Robin $10.00
46. Four tickets to GVSU football game and blue, large t-shirt$50.00 (tickets are for the GVSU vs. Michigan Tech game at Allendale 7PM, Saturday, Sept. 27)
47. Body lotion basket $15.00
48. Four tickets to Grand Rapids Griffens $68.00
49. Gift certificate to Southland Auto Wash $20.00
50. Gift certificate to Southland Auto Wash $20.00
51. Twelve hand stamped assorted cards $20.00
52. Stampin’ Up! Simply Scrappin’ Kit (Crew Kids-Girl) $20.00
53. Stampin’ Up! Simply Scrappin’ Kit (Friends & Flowers) $20.00
54. Stampin’ Up! Stamp set (Cause for Celebration) $20.00
55. Stampin’ Up! Rub Ons (Love & Happiness) $20.00
56. Handcrafted jewelry box titled “Love for Linda” $150.00
57. Dinner for 2 at Carrabbas $45.00
58. 4 White Caps tickets $34.00 must be used this season, home games end 8/28
59. GVSU T-shirt ($15)
60. GVSU sweatshirt ($30)
61. Hand carved Hawaiin necklace straight from Hawaii $90.00
62. Dinner for 2 at the Bonefish Grill $45.00
63. Gift certificate to the Texas Roadhouse $15.00
64. Gift certificates to Drenthe Village Dipper (near Zeeland) $25.00
65. Hand crocheted green-white-yellow baby afghan $20.00
66. Hand crocheted soft pink baby afghan $20.00
67. Hand crocheted pink and white square child afghan $30.00
68. Hand crocheted multi colored flower adult afghan $45.00
69. Gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse $50.00
70. Gift basket with lotion, hand stamped cards, and more! (pending)
71. Gift certificate to the Texas Roadhouse $15.00
72. Gift certificate to the Texas Roadhouse $15.00
73. Gift certificate for a shampoo/set by Romi Castillo at A Perfect Touch Hair Salon $15.00
74. Gift certificate for a haircut by Romi Castillo at A Perfect Touch Hair Salon $15.00
75. Gift certificate for a haircut by Loretta Voetburg at A Perfect Touch Hair Salon $15.00
76. Gift certificate for a haircut by Loretta Voetburg at A Perfect Touch Hair Salon $15.00
77. Bean bag toss game $100.00
78. Two free 6" subs from Subway (Broadmore & M-6 or Hudsonville) $8.00
79. Two free 6" subs from Subway (Broadmore & M-6 or Hudsonville) $8.00
80. Three free 6" subs from Subway (Broadmore & M-6 or Hudsonville) $12.00
81. Autographed copy of "Mommy Millionaire" book by Kim Lavine $24.00
82. DVD 40th Anniversary edition of Walt Disney's the Jungle Book 2-disc set $20
83. DVD National Treause 2 Two-disc collector's edition $25.00
84. DVD Step Up 2 The Streets: Dance-off edition $10.00
85. DVD The Hills The complete third season $25.00
86. Four GVSU Men's Basketball tickets for general admission to the January 15, 2009 GVSU vs. Ashland game $28.00
87. One 3 foot party sub from Subway $30.00
88. One 3 foot party sub from Subway $30.00
89. One 3 foot party sub from Subway $30.00
90. Assorted gift basket (SF) $20.00

Need volunteers

Good morning!

Well, the benefit is just going gangbusters. Neither of us, Angie, Steph or myself can get over the overwhelming response. I mean, we KNEW that Linda is AMAZING, but it's just a beautiful thing to see how many lives she has touched. And I'm so thankful that people are expressing how much she means to them by giving and helping is such awesome ways.

Speaking of help, {wink wink} we do need some volunteers to help AT the actual benefit.
I would like to have 5 people committed to clean-up (I have one, thank you Pam).
I need 2 people to help with the food table from 1-3, and 2 people to help with the food table from 3-5.
I need 2 or 3 people to help Angie with the silent auction table.
And I need 1 or 2 people to help Stephanie's awesome kids at the baked goods table.

SO...if you can fill one of these positions, please leave a comment here, or e-mail me.
Thank you so much!

Update on the auction items: we are up to almost 60 items!!! CRAZY! I guess we are going to GIVE BIG!!

Benefit going strong

Good morning!

Well, the bad news is that we didn't get to go see Linda this weekend. The transmission went out on our car! Thank the Lord it went out on Saturday when Doug just had to run to town as opposed to going out when we were all on the road with Jacob in the car!

The good news is that this benefit is growing and growing! People I do not know have been calling to donate things, people I've never heard of have e-mailed me and asked questions. The donations for the silent auction have been pouring in! Please make sure you get there early enough to bid on these fantastic items! Just a few worth mentioning: A golf foursome at the Meadows, restaurant gift certificates, handcrafted wood projects (picture frames, jewelry box titled "Love for Linda" and a handcrafted table), Stampin' Up! products, Creative Memories projects....not to mention all the yummy baked goods!

There are people ALL over the place praying for Linda. My sister had a guy come up to her at church yesterday and say, "I'm really praying for your friend Linda." All of us and our representative churches, friends, family....we are storming the gates of Heaven on Linda's behalf. Let's keep it up folks! Remeber, "The prayers of the righteous availeth MUCH!"

Update on silent auction

WOW. We have had a HUGE response to the fliers going out, and we still have three weeks to go! Three week from today to be exact. So far, we have over 40 items for the silent auction totaling (retail) about $1500.00! Sweet! We also have lots of people making baked goods to sell there, and will have a donation box. I'm hoping to raise LOTS of money...enough to pay her rent for a few months at least!

Talked to Miss Linda last night and she sounded super tired. We're going to lunch with her tomorrow, so it will be wonderful to see her.

Not much else right now....

A little background

Hey everyone,

Welcome to the very first post of my very first blog. I'm doing this to keep people updated on my best friend Linda. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometrial cancer on Nov 1. We are working on a benefit for her. She is the best friend you could ever dare to have. She's kind and compassionate, she would do anything for you. She loves unconditionally, and she's a godly woman. She has told me that the reason she keeps going is because so many people are praying for her. And praying we are! We are praying for a miracle. She has been through 2 unsuccessful rounds of chemo, and is on her 3rd round of treatment. I will keep you posted... Please keep her in your prayers.