Love for Karsyn is Raining Down

Wow! What a week is has been in the KARING FOR KARSYN KAMPAIGN KAMP!!! We continue to receive donations--both in cash and Silent Auction items! I know we have had enough rain in Wabash County to keep farmers from getting in the fields, but the love that has rained down on Karsyn this week has just put all of we volunteers in "high cotton!"

At left is a picture of Mrs. McCaslin's 2nd grade class at Sharp Creek. They won the Penny Wars competition, bringing in $1,551. The total for the entire school was $5,141. Southwood Elementary 2nd grade helped to raise some of the money, and this afternoon the Metro North Penny cans were picked, up adding another $150. The kids were treated to a pizza party, thanks to Miss Rhonda and Miss Lee Ann (Dale & Pefley). The entire school was treated to cookies with their lunch last week...a thank you from Karsyn.

To date, we have only sold 551 tickets for the June 11 Fundraiser, but we are nearing the $11,000 mark in sales and donations! Our goal of $20,000 seems so reachable that maybe we should aspire higher!!

At our Committee meeting tonight, more Silent Auction items were brought in; Diane Guenin received lots of toys for the Children's Games area of the fundraiser; Ron Garlits announced that times were full with different bands and vocalists performing throughout the day. Sheryl Bishop handed out volunteer time sheets. We still need CLEAN UP CREW for after 7 p.m. the day of the fundraiser! Please, if you can help until everything is put back in place....call Sheryl at 260-563-3767 and give her your name!!! We would so much appreciate all the help we can get! I have promised Doc Garner that his beautiful grounds will look on Monday just like they did before our fundraiser invaded!!!

On July 10, a presentation event will take place at Bachelor Creek. At that time, the Burchett's will receive their "check" with our grand totals on it. Once our fundraiser is over on June 11, there will still be the golf outing on June 18, and Bachelor Creek is donating their Gen 'R' Us funds to Karsyn also. All will be added for one presentation donation. Please plan on joining us!

Thank you's this week to Somerset Lion's Club for their donation from a recent club fundraiser to Karsyn; and to Phil Delta Kappa in Wabash for their generous donation.

Our latest news on Karsyn is that she is in Bloomington and began treatment at 1 p.m. today. Let's all remember Karsyn and Linette in our prayers. It has to be so hard to not only be in treatment, but also away from family and friends.

Until our next update....THANK YOU....People who are selling tix....People who have purchased....Silent Auction donors...Local businesses and entrepreneurs who have donated merchandise or gift certificates...

Karsyn couldn't come from a better community! Wabash has rained down love on her! Let's keep showering her with our care and concern!!!!

Hayley Pence took this picture of Karsyn and called it,

"Karsyn in Twilight."

Karing for Karsyn Breaking All Expectations

This is a pic of our dear little friend, Karsyn, smiling for Hayley Pence. (Thanks Hayley for use of your pics!) And, she should be smiling because the entire Wabash area has opened their hearts to Karsyn!!! The number of special events, monies, etc. all for Karsyn is absolutely heart-warming!!!

RHONDA DALE, Penny Pitch Chair for Sharp Creek reported a total of $4,718.65 brought in by students to date. Tomorrow is the final day (5-20). $900 of the total was raised by Southwood 2nd graders who are pen pals with Karsyn's class. Metro North begins their Penny Pitch tomorrow, thru the end of school. And, LaFontaine Elementary didn't do a Penny Pitch, but the teachers challenged the students to a "Dessert War". Over 2,000 pre-packaged desserts, such as Hostess and Little Debbie were brought and the students earned themselves extra recess time! If converted to cash, these 2,000 desserts would equal about $2,500!!! Thank you so much, LaFontaine Elementary, Southwood Elementary, Sharp Creek Elementary and Metro North Elementary!!!

The SILENT AUCTION, also chaired by RHONDA DALE, is acquiring more items daily. To date, we have blankets, pedicures, dinner certificates, tire alignment, acrylic nails, welcome baskets, top-notch photography studio gift cards, and more! These items will be up for bid during our June 11 fundraiser!!

A number of new fundraising dates have been added this week. On May 27, AUTO LAUNDRY, South Wabash St., will donate $2 for every vehicle that passes thru their car wash.

On June 2, PEFLEY FARM EQUIPMENT, Lagro, is setting up a row of auction items donated by area citizens. They ask that any donation be farm and/or garden related, such as old lawnmowers, wire, old cars, etc. All proceeds are returned to the Karing for Karsyn Kampaign. Call Lee Ann Pefley at 260-782-0762 to donate or for questions!

And finally, the Golf Scramble at Etna Acres is in the midst of being organized for June 18. Anyone wanting to put together a team for the Shotgun Start event can call KATHY EVISTON, Chair, at 765-981-2820.

SHERYL BISHOP, Chair for the WORK DETAIL VOLUNTEERS on June 11 announced categories she wants covered on that date. Categories still needing volunteers and a Head are: Traffic Control, Pop (keeping coolers filled). Those areas already covered by volunteer heads are: Set Up/Tear Down: John Lehner & Tom Wagoner; Ticket Collections and Sales - Shirley Mackey, Janet Poole and Becki Wagoner; Trash and Table Patrol - Julie Helton; Bagging of chips and desserts-Melinda Walters and 70/30 ticket sales - Tiffany Barton and friends, and Kitty and Chris Bishop, along with help from many from Bachelor Creek Young Adults Class. Help in the tenderloin trailer for Troy Cole will be provided by the Northfield Key Club. This group has volunteered to work in teams of five throughout the entire day. The Silent Auction group is Rhonda Dale, Kristin Unger, Kristie Hoover and Angie Dale. If you would like to volunteer to work that day, please call SHERYL BISHOP AT 563-3767 and volunteer your help and the times you can work.

DIANE GUENIN, is Chair for CHILDREN'S GAMES. We are hoping to have a Bounce House that is free for all children under age 12. In addition, Diane is preparing children's games that can be played for a freewill donation. This should keep the little kids at bay while parents are waiting for food, or are listening to area bands which will be performing that day.

We will be doing limited advertising with the newspapers and radio stations. In essence, for whatever donation they make in advertising, we will place an ad of the same size at the non-profit rate for that company. The funds for this advertising is being used from a Silpada/Mary Kay Fundraiser from Shannon Schleining and Becki Wagoner, which netted nearly $400. The group passed on full approval use of these funds for advertising.

Our next meeting will be THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2011. That meeting will mark our countdown to KKK Day! We are asking that MONEY AND TICKETS BE TURNED IN. If you have sub-contracted your tickets, please arrange to collect your money and tickets. ALL tickets and money need turned in NO LATER THAN JUNE 2.

At the June 11 fundraiser, it was decided that Sandwich Only people could pay $4.00 and those wanting bulk tenderloins would pay $3 per tenderloin, with a maximum of ten tenderloins per person. A total of fifty (50) bulk tenderloins per hour will be allotted for this type of sales, in order to ensure that at 6:59 p.m., a ticket holder will have access to a full meal. It was also agreed that area shift personnel could pre-order and pay for their food to be delivered that day.

Any order over 10 tickets, prepaid, will be delivered within the Wabash City area.

Earlier this week in the Wabash Plain Dealer, Editor Joe Slacian said that the KARING FOR KARSYN KAMPAIGN would most likely be one of the biggest fundraising events for Wabash in years. We sure hope his prediction is right!! We so appreciate all that the Wabash Plain Dealer and "the paper" of Wabash County have done to share Karsyn's story and to keep her in reader's minds over the past two months. You are both truly friends of Karsyn's and our Kampaign. Thank you!!!

My grand daughter, Gabi, spent the evening with Karsyn and they had fun, just like old friends do. When we went to pick Gabi up, Karsyn had time for me. She is the sweetest child, never complaining. It was obvious she was exhausted, but she didn't want us to leave.

Karsyn begins treatment on May 26 in Bloomington. That night, even if you don't normally say a prayer....will you say one for Karsyn and her mom, Linette? These next few weeks are going to be extremely difficult for both of them. Treatment by day and away from their family by evening. No amount of money that we can raise will buy Karsyn the cure that she needs.

But, our caring....our concern....the love each and everyone of us show her when we attend an event to raise funds, or send 'couch change ' to school with the kids, or come out for a tenderloin on June 11....will show her how much she is loved. And, she has shown us how much one little girl can touch the hearts of so very many. As Linette said tonight, there are so many like Karsyn. We just don't hear about them. Helping one is sometimes helping many. Let's keep up the good fight....for our little Karsyn and all the other little Karsyn's out there who are fighting the fight of their life.

Challenges Met....Donations Rolling in from Schools

I want to share this wonderful pic with you of Karsyn and Miss Carol Hiner. Miss Carol is the dance instructor for Wabash Valley Dance. She took Karsyn out onto the Honeywell Stage and danced with her during regular rehearsals for this weekend's recital. What a sweet picture. I am sure Karsyn will remember her swirl on the stage with Miss Carol for a long time to come!

In the meantime, while Karsyn is doing the light fantastic....the elementary school kids from LaFontaine, Sharp Creek, and Mrs. Denney's 2nd grade Southwood class have been busy trying to meet and beat challenges!!

LaFontaine students and teachers brought in 2,000 packaged desserts for the fundraiser on June 11. Sharp Creek raised another $1,219 this week in the penny wars, and Mrs. Denney's class is at about $200.

Isn't it wonderful how our younger citizens are involved? They all love Karsyn so much. For most of them, this is their first "reality check" of life. I think they are meeting it head on with hope, optimism and enthusiasm. Proud of you all!!!

Until next week....if you want to help.....BUY A TICKET!!! We still need canned pop and bottled water donated. Volunteers to work the day of the fundraiser are now being put into time slots. If you can give an hour or the day, please call Sheryl Bishop at 563-3767.

Until next week....I'm up to my ears in Kampaign details. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to do a little something for Karsyn!!!

Karing for Karsyn Kampaign Moves Into FULL SWING

WOW! What a week we have had!! It's hard to believe we have only been organized one week and so much has happened already!!!!

As of tonight's meeting, 204 tickets have been sold.

Rhonda Dale, Chair for the Sharp Creek Elementary Penny Wars, brought in $1,142 this evening....that represents TWO DAYS of kids robbing their piggy banks to help Karsyn!!!! Right now, Mrs. McCaslin's class is ahead....and that is the class that Karsyn is in!!!

Rhonda reports that Metro North is now doing a Penny drive, and the second grade class at Southwood Elementary (they are pen pals with the 2nd grade class from Sharp Creek) is doing a Penny drive in Mrs. Denney's class.

WAY TO GO, KIDS!!!! It is absolutely wonderful to see children get involved and learn to give and care for others! I have had reports from mother's who have said their children took money they had been saving for something they especially wanted, and took it to school for Karsyn instead! God works in the most wonderful ways!

For me, personally, my Thanks for the week goes to Bachelor Creek Church of Christ. They have agreed to be the keeper of the funds for us. Silly me thought I could go set up an account at a bank and put the money there! Not so! I needed a Federal Tax I D number and a letter of resolution....and I was afraid the Federal Tax ID number might take weeks!!! Thank you, Rev. David and Stan Wilmert!!

Tiffany Barton and Katina Beavers have worked with 'the paper' and KISS 105.9 and we now have courtesy advertising in 'the paper' and an interview the week of the fundraiser! Thanks to both of you and to 'the paper' and KISS.

The Northfield Key Club is working with the sixth grade and second grade at Sharp Creek on two blankets to be auctioned off the day of the fundraiser, June 11. Christina Sapusek and Amanda Richardson came to the meeting and told how the 60 member Key Club wanted to be involved!! We need all the help and support we can get!!! If anyone reading this has an item they would like to contribute for the Silent Auction, please contact Rhonda Dale, Krista Hoover or myself. We will be glad to come and pick it up!!!

A Karing for Karsyn poster will be going out to all the area churches within the next week or so, asking them to mention in their church flier. If anyone out there would like to sell tickets at their church, or circle meeting, Sunday School class, etc., please contact me and I will get you tickets.

Ron Garlits reports the line-up for bands on June 11. They are:

Small Town from Noon to 1

Mike McGriff, folk singer, from 1-2

A surprise band, featuring Bobby V and friends from 2-4

God's Country from 4-7

We will be requesting that people park downstairs at 807 North Cass St. so that the upstairs parking lot can be used for tables and chairs, walk-ups, etc. There will be signage that day to help people know where to go and volunteers will help direct traffic.

Sheryl Bishop reports that 45 plus businesses in Wabash have either electronic signs or changeable signage at their business. Sheryl and myself are going to be contacting each business to see if they will put up the info for the fundraiser a couple of days prior to June 11.

I heard from Brian Howenstein of True Value Hardware. He is donating proceeds from the Weber grill Demo Day on May 14 to Karing for Karsyn. So, all of you get out to True Value and buy a hamburger or hot dog on that day....and while you're at it, support Brian and the hardware by taking home a few nuts and bolts as well!!

Kathy Eviston announced that Etna Acres Golf Course, State Hwy 124, will close the greens on May 18 for a Karing for Karsyn Golf Scramble IF 18 TEAMS SIGN UP!

They will be charging $50 for 18 holes, with $20 going for green fees and the other $30 being given to the Karing for Karsyn Kampaign. If you know you would like to play, please call Etna Acres at 260-468-2906 and reserve your group, or Kathy Eviston at 765-981-2820. Don't wait!!! Call soon so they know they have enough to close the greens for that day!

As of this writing, I have not heard whether or not Linette and Bill have any news from St. Jude's.

My prayer for the day: Dear Lord, You have put Karsyn in our lives for a purpose. Thinking of her and her family each day brings out the best in me to want to help her, and others like her. I thank you for my healthy grandkids and for not having to go through the terrible devastation that comes with cancer. I ask that you use me and any talents that I possess for the glory of your name in helping Karsyn and her family. I would love to ask for a miracle for Karsyn, but I know that your will be done. I will ask for a clear, sunshiny day on June 11...slight breeze and not to hot, please! Could you do this for me, Lord? In your name I pray!

Update you all next week! If you want to pass this on to friends, all you have to do is cut the www.karingforkarsyn.com at the top of page and paste it into a new e-mail and send out to your list of friends!

Becki Wagoner

SHARP CREEK KICKS OFF KARING FOR KARSYN KAMPAIGN

Sharp Creek Elementary students kicked off the KARING FOR KARSYN Penny Wars Campaign on Monday, May 2, 2011.

Amazingly, $551.12 was in the cans before the kick-off began at 1:30!!! I think the students must have gotten a "heads up" to bring in spare change on Monday.

All grades, K-6 were in the gymn when principal Jay Snyder talked to them about Karsyn. For those who didn't have on pink, flowers had been purchased for a quarter. Ellie Schuler, sixth grader at the school, had helped Becky Mast organize the
making of the flowers. I was so proud of Ellie. I have known her mama, her aunt and her grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hoover) for many years. I told her how proud her family must be of her carrying on the tradition of giving to others. She had tears in her eyes and just smiled. Thank you, Ellie!!!!

"How many of you know that Karsyn has cancer?", he asked. Hands flew up.

Then, Principal Snyder explained that when a person has cancer there are so many bills that come in. "Sometimes insurance pays, but not everything," he explained. "And then there are hotel bills, gas, food bills...lots of bills that have to be paid." The students showed him rapt attention.

Principal Snyder introduced Karsyn's mom, Linette and her stepdad, Bill. Then, he introduced Jordan, who is Karsyn's older sister. "You are a wonderful older sister," he said. "I know you support Karsyn in everyway you can." The sixth graders cheered and Jordan beamed.

Finally, Principal Snyder introduced Rhonda Dale, the Chair for the Penny Pitch Wars at Sharp Creek. When she held up the sign showing that $551.12 had been raised since Friday until noon on Monday, the kids went wild!!! Then, she announced the classes in the lead......no surprise that Mrs. McCaslin's class (which is where Jordan is) was in the lead.

To end it all, Principal Snyder asked Karsyn if she would like to say anything. She took the microphone in her little hand and spoke in a voice loud and clear:

"Thank you all for coming today, and I hope you have a safe journey home tonight., And, before you go to bed, please pray for everyone that has cancer."

Not a dry eye in the house.....

SHARP CREEK KICKS OFF KARING FOR KARSYN KAMPAIGN