I’m Thankful

A Benefit for

Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan

 

 

Just a few days before Christmas 2006, the nightly news opens with a story of a house fire.  The blackened and crispy shell of a two story home in the background, the reporter begins an interview with an exhausted and now homeless man.  He tells of his losses, everything he owned, even all the Christmas presents.  It is a story we have all heard dozens of times on the news.  So much so it hardly even tugs at our hearts anymore.

But in closing his interview he awakened my ears and my heart.  He speaks about how many times he has walked into the grocery store, the hardware store, the department store every Christmas of his life and never really paid any attention to the person standing next to a bucket, clanging a bell.   He had always walked right by.  But today something is different.  That same charity which he had ignored his whole life, had come to his rescue.  They brought him clothes. They helped him find a place to stay.  They even provided Christmas gifts so his kids had something to open.  He was “Thankful” and segued back to the reporter saying, “I will never walk past that bucket without finding something in my pocket to give them.”

In my whole life, I have never needed the assistance from a charity, and I sincerely hope I never do.  I am truly blessed with a family that has not experienced such disaster.  I’m Thankful!

I have given to my share of charities, but could I do more?  I have walked past some of the charity buckets I have come across in my life.  I have decided that I need to and can do more.

I am sure you have given to your share of charities donating your time, clothing, food, a car, or money to different charities.  Could you do more?

Who could we do more for?  Nothing tugs at my heart more than kids and families in need.  My children are healthy and I pray that yours are too.  But there are those who are not.  Each year, Leukemia cruelly attacks thousands of additional children and grips them and their families.  Instead of their lives being filled with sports and scouting and all the other things kids do, these families lives are filled with doctor and hospital visits, and treatments.

Childrens Leukemia Foundation of Michigan ( www.leukemiamichigan.org ) is a helping hand for those families.  The mission of Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan is to provide and promote compassionate, personalized support to people in Michigan affected by leukemia.  The work CLF of Michigan supports more than 3300 Michigan families annually.

  I’m Thankful that my family doesn’t need the services of Children’s Leukemia Foundation, but I am also Thankful that there is an agency called Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan.

So… Join Me in being “Thankful” and participate in a festive fundraiser for Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan on August 31st, 2007 at the Rattlesnake Club Atrium ( www.rattlesnakeclub.com ).  We will kick off the night with a Social Hour, followed by Tantalizing Food Stations deliciously prepared by the great chef:  Jimmy Schmidt.   Your ticket includes beer and wine for the evening.   We will also give you a chance to meet a family that has benefited from the Children’s Leukemia of Michigan Foundation, and with your continued support they and others like them will continue to have this organization to help them.

Roll out the Dessert and Coffee Bar, and Rock (and Dance) to the sounds of Stewart Francke and the Regular Boys!  Stewart ( www.stewartfrancke.com ) a native Michigander, himself a Leukemia survivor, will keep the party explosive all night long with songs like his national radio hit “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and all your favorite R&B and Motown hits.

Please, don’t walk past this opportunity to give.  Those Michigan families that are affected by Leukemia need your assistance.  Help Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan funnel your “Thanks” to those who need it!  I’m Thankful there are people in this world like you!  See you August 31st, 2007!

Visit www.imthankful.org for the latest news and information about the event!

Sincerely,

 

Jim Kelly

 

I’m Thankful

P.O. Box 36831

Grosse Pointe, MI 48236

(313) 220-7364