first came the Penny Wars at Sharp Creek Elementary, chaired by Rhonda Birk Dale. Over $5,000 was raised by the students, with nearly $1,000 coming in from 2nd grade penpals at Southwood Elementary, and $200 or so from Metro North.
Next came the Richvalley tenderloin dinner held on June 11. Over $15,000 was raised that afternoon. We sold out of tenderloin, and thankfully had some left from the Relay for Life walk which had been held the evening before. Above is Karsyn, dancing with God's Country, one of four bands who performed that day. It did our hearts good to see her able to swing it and have a good time!!! Chairpeople for that day included: Ron Garlits, bands; Rhonda Dale, Krista Hoover and Hayley Nicole Pence, Silent Auction; Melinda Walters, food bag prep; Sheryl & Bobby Bishop, drinks; Diane Guenin, children's games; Tom Wagoner & John Lehner, clean-up, traffic control; Buck Rodman, photography; Kathy Eviston worked the tenderloin booth, Becki Wagoner, Judy Miller and Janet Poole manned ticket sales and money, Julie Hilton kept tables cleaned off; Angie Fordyce pitch-hit wherever needed, as did Pat Bricker. 
The kids games were a huge hit. It gave youngsters something to do after eating, and gave mom and dad a chance to visit a little longer with friends. The Northfield Key Club, under the direction of Christina Sapusek and Amanda Richardson, helped tremendously throughout the day, but Diane Guenin, games coordinator, said they were especially helpful with the little kids and the games and Bounce House, supplied by Tru Value!
Just look at those clouds in the background. I went to Mass the night before, and dared to ask God to hold off the rain until after 7 p.m. that night. Since we all know that God was the inspiration for this event, He took care of all the details. Solomon David (Bachelor Creek minister) told me the other day that when we accept that God will care for everything, all we have to do is give Him a willing heart and helping hands. Boy, do I ever believe!!!
The final event on June 18 was Golfing for Karsyn, chaired by Kathy Eviston and Jerry Conley. What fun we had that day!!! Once again, it looked like rain the entire morning, even slightly sprinkled once or twice.....but in the end, another $7,500 was donated by golfers for Karsyn.
So, I know that everyone wants to know how much we raised. I am going to tell you, but before I do, I want to tell you about our afternoon of praise and thank you to God at Bachelor Creek BEFORE the presentation. Simply put, Solomon David and Michael Eaton and the Bachelor Creek Praise team do an awesome job and set the mood for the afternoon. Solomon reminded us of how God has intervened so many times, when He is asked to do so. The Praise Team sang four wonderful songs, three of which had me tappin' my toes. Love, love, love their music!!!
Then, it was time for the presentation. Each person who served on the Committee was on stage when Linette, Bill, Karsyn, Jordan and Caidan came up. And now.....drum roll please.......
A grand total of $51,628.40 was raised by Penny Wars, tenderloin dinner, golf outing and Bachelor Creek Gen R Us fund. A check for the Burchett's was for $36,986.53!!!!
A cash advance of $3,020 had been given to Burchett's the month before for housing expenses in Bloomington, plus $5,000 has been put into escrow toward next year's Karsyn Campaign.
Expenses included $5,221.87 to Richvalley UMC for the tenderloin and prep, trailer usage for the day.
$1,200 in cash was paid to Etna Acres for use of the course on June 18; and $189 was paid to Poole Foods for buns. The remainder of everything used was donated by the Wabash Community businesses, individuals, and corporate sponsors affiliated with Paperwerks Wabash mill.
There is a song I learned years ago when I played piano for the children's mass. It is called "Pass It On." The words are: It only takes a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around will warm up in its' glowing. That's how it is with God's love. Once we experience it, we want to pass it on.
That song has reverberated in my head over and over the past two months. It was a spark....just a mention on Facebook of: Who wants to help with a fundraiser for Karsyn Bratch? Within minutes, I had eighteen people responding. Our first meeting was April 21. The only thing I had to present to the group that night was 2,000 tickets for a tenderloin dinner donated by Milliner Printing. I had one parking lot spoken for (Kristy Kisner at Wabash Realty). I had heard back from Richvalley for the date, but nothing more. I presented Penny Wars, which was the idea of Jane Pence at the D Shoppe, through her daughter, Kristen Unger, Karsyn's aide at Sharp Creek. That was it. No Silent Auction, no electonic signage throughout town, no kid's games, no golf outing.
God brought us all together because He knew who would be good at particular tasks.
Now as we go forth....and we are going forth.....we will plan the Karsyn Kampaign for next year. With the help of Linette and Bill, we will shoot for helping a number of kids. With the help of God, I am confident down to the bottom of my toes that we will be successful and will be able to assist financially, spiritually and communaly to those in need.
THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE. IF YOU ARE READING THIS, THEN I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD US IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ALL ALONG. I KNOW YOU LOVE KARSYN AND HER FAMILY. AND, I KNOW THAT YOU WILL LOVE ANOTHER FAMILY NEXT YEAR, AND FOR YEAR'S TO COME.
So, until next year....signing off for Karsyn's Kampaign!!!
