Humbled. Truly, and, unequivocally, humbled. These are the words I have for the Celebrating Willem fundraiser held on April 19, 2012. There is much that need be said, and many that need be thanked. I do not wish to make light of the fact that money had been raised by saying that so much more than money was raised -- yet the fact remains that so much more was accomplished than just raising money.
I will have much more to say on this subject, perhaps, in future writings for much is happening; transformations are taking place; ideologies are changing; "...friends shaking hands..."
It is my understanding that there is much desire to know how much money was raised via the fundraiser, and I completely understand that it is because of the shear magnitude of the event -- I get that, and I would wish to know as well.
Well... The numbers are still being tallied, quite frankly, and the exact amount is not yet known. I can tell you this, however, the number of people (I was told) that showed up was around 800 (600 adults and 200 children) -- it boggles the imagination. It boggles my imagination. I can also tell you this: the goal was to raise $10,000.00 and the fundraiser far exceeded this amount; quite possibly tripled it. One donor agreed to match the amount made by the fundraiser up to $5,000.00. It has been decided that this amount will be donated to P.O.R.T. and to Child Life Services -- Willem's favorite people at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. There will also be a sizable sum donated to an HLH research foundation.
I feel it important to inform the reader that, apart from being the parents of Willem, neither I or Erin, were involved in the fundraiser -- we were kept out of the loop and had absolutely zero involvement in its planning or design. Only now am I being brought up to speed. What an amazing feat and what an amazing event.
So, on that note, I am still deliberating on whether it is prudent to divulge the exact numbers when they are given to me.
There will also be a separate post of much needed thank yous.
Willem -- only days before he was stricken with HLH -- leisurely walking, straw in mouth, not a care in the world. A healthy 9 year old boy.
That's beautiful. And a testament to how many people Willem's story touched (by virtue of this very blog). We think of you every day and am so glad to know Willem's Celebration was the success it should have been.
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