Exciting and wonderful things are happening. As I told my mom and a friend in town today, for the longest time I felt as though I were 'nose-to-the-grindstone' so to speak, and forcing my way through tough circumstances to "make it happen" in so many different areas of my life. That is a difficult and wearying way to live! Ever since my course change, things have been SO much easier. I am working just as much and just as hard, but to finish tasks, not to push through barricades and unreturned phone calls.
I have been working on pulling together a benefit for a local not-for-profit here in Flagstaff called The Taylor House. It's owned by the Flagstaff Medical Center and is a facility where family members of hospital patients (whether cancer, intensive care or otherwise) can pay $50 a night to stay for their visits. These visits can often last 6 weeks or more, as their family members take longer than a 'weekend getaway' to recover from their hospitalization. Although the hospital subsidizes some of these families' stay, many of them still have to find the funds to afford these visits, on top of carrying the burden of medical bills. I personally know how unpleasant these facilities can be, albeit necessary, and how expensive it is to visit without them.
The Taylor House is different. Bridget, the woman that had the vision and drive to make it what it is today, has made it a welcoming, warm house that sleeps 19, with a large open community room that boasts vaulted ceilings, big open windows, a double kitchen, and a floor to ceiling stone fireplace. Leather chairs, antler chandeliers and comfortable sleeping quarters create an inviting and restful place to stay for so many families that carry very heavy burdens.
The benefit I am organizing with Bridget's help is for the Taylor House. Raised funds go towards keeping the house open, and giving families a free place to stay, cook, and rest. The Low Down: God has opened the doors very wide to allow the process of setting this up, thus far, be extremely easy. The staff at the House are so friendly and helpful, and everyone I talk to everywhere is very excited about this event.
There are two things hanging in the balance: We have submitted the fliers and emails to the Foundation for the Hospital, and just need their approval to allow this benefit to launch. We also need the Forest Service to issue the permit to use the trailhead in the aspen grove for the benefit. We should know all of this by Friday or Monday.
If this works, 5,000 employees at the hospital, the Summit Center, and W.L. Gore & Associates in Flagstaff will receive an email flier/invite on the event. There will also be the same fliers posted in lunchrooms and public areas at all three facilities. Each family will be required to give $50 to get an 8x10 print from the image of their choice, as well as the digital file emailed to them. Proceeds go to benefit the families of the Taylor House. I will have at least two other helpers there to queuing families for their portrait. We have time slots booked out over those two days in five-minute intervals, over an 11 hour period. My studio will be buying coolers of drinks and food for refreshments at the shoot. Families can come, get their pictures taken, walk the trails, and enjoy good food!
Within the week after the event, an online gallery will open up with everyone's images available. Families can pick from 3 or 4 pictures which image they would like to be their 8x10, as well as order other sizes if they'd like. This image will be emailed to them. All orders will be delivered on one day at a certain time TBD, at each workplace. Families that cannot pick up their order at one of these three facilities will have it dropped off, or mailed to their homes.
This is an exciting and fun way to kick off the summer, especially before Father's Day approaches. We just need your prayers to make the last two quirks (oh, and the weather!) cooperate. I will update you when I hear from the Foundation and Forest Service. Thank you!
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