Christmas Giving 2008

Dear Friends:

Just the Bates family… We are back again this year to ask if you are all willing to help adopt some very needy families.  We started early this year as last year we found that we were able to get even better deals on items that our families needed to make our dollars stretch even further.  In this economy we thought we had better do the same again this year!  Besides winter seems to be trying to move in so soon our adopted kids will be cold.

By way of background for those of you who are new to the invitation, every year we champion adopting families of special needs children through the Macomb Infant Preschool Program (MIPP).  This is the organization that gave Jameson such phenomenal care and therapy while he was with us.  We choose needy families with children with special needs who need a "hand up."  Often, people as lucky as ourselves, do not realize the financial, physical and emotional burden of raising special children.  They are incredible! They are worth it!  But fiscally speaking, they can set you back so that you can never recover.  In the 19 months that we had Jamie, his care cost approximately $40,000 out of pocket and we had EXCELLENT insurance.  You can imagine what it does to people with lesser insurance and with the loss of jobs in our state and the economy being in the dumper...  Anyhow, we try to help mitigate some of these costs for a couple of families per year...

Let's meet the families that we propose to adopt this year:

FAMILY #1

Vickie is a single Mom.  She has Reilly (16 months old) and Ray (age 7).  Reilly has been diagnosed with Infantile Spasms and is her special needs child.  Many of you will be familiar with this form of seizure activity as it was the disease that took Jamie from us.  This type of seizure disorder is the worst possible kind for a child under the age of 5 and kills one in five children who get it.  Of those who do not die, 80% will be severely to profoundly retarded - meaning that they will not be able to function to any degree in a normal capacity or care for themselves ever.  The remaining 20% will be mildly to moderately affected.  Reilly is developmentally 6 months old and her prognosis is not good.  Mom had to quit her job as a manager at fast food chain to take care of Reilly since family members and daycare options are not available as they are not qualified to care for such a sick child.

Reilly and Ray Need: Winter coats, pajamas, winter clothing, shoes, boots, hats, gloves, toys (they have almost none)

 Mom Needs: She says she needs food and gas cards

FAMILY #2

Barbara is the 34 year old mom.  She and her husband Lee (age 33) are trying very hard to make ends meet with sick children and the apartment building that they have been living in is in foreclosure.  As a result, they will have to find the money to move and find a new place to live.  Alexzandria is 13 months old.  She has multiple health issues including cleft lip and palate which has required multiple surgeries, severe hypotension and feeding issues requiring g-tube placement.  She is just now beginning to eat baby food.  She has a sister - Savannah (3 years old) who has speech and language delays, an autistic brother - Zachary (age 5), and a brother – Lee 7 years old), with speech issues, asthma and eczema.

Alexzandria, Savannah, Zachary and Lee Need: Winter coats, pajamas, winter clothing, shoes, socks, boots, hats, gloves, books, toys (they have very few)

Her Parents Need:  Food, coats, clothes, shoes, gas cards and a toaster

FAMILY #3

Single Mom, Marlene, is 20 years old and is raising Crystalis (age 2) and Drake who is one year old and was born prematurely.  At birth he experienced respiratory distress and ruptured his lung which required surgery.  He now exhibits significant developmental delays.  Crystalis will soon be evaluated for concerns regarding her speech and language development.  Marlene is unable to work as Drake needs substantial special care.  The family has had to move three times since September and is experiencing extreme financial difficulty.  Marlene has had a hard time paying for food, diapers and clothes and does not own a car.

Drake and Crystalis Need: Winter coats, pajamas, winter clothing, shoes, socks, boots, hats, gloves, diapers, books, toys (they have almost none)

Mom Needs: Food, clothes, shoes, boots, gloves, hat and a coat

FAMILY #4

Melissa (Age 23) and Sharod (Age 22) are raising Maliyah (10 months old) and Julian (Age 2).  Maliyah has Cerebral Palsy, sever reflux and periodic respiratory distress.   Melissa quit her job to care for Maliyah who stops breathing without warning.  The family is having a hard time paying for diapers and clothes.

Maliyah and Julian Need: Winter coats, pajamas, winter clothing, shoes, socks, boots, hats, gloves, diapers, books, toys

Her Parents Need: Coats, clothes, gloves and hats

We know how tight money is this year for everyone.  However, as Christmas approaches and we all realize how much we have, both financially and in our family/friend support system(s), we ask you to take a moment and consider helping others.  Every penny counts.  Whether you can donate $5 or $500, we will put it to the best use we can and the value that our combined funds and efforts can have to others less fortunate than ourselves is tremendous.  We pool the funds and meet as many of the needs of these families as possible.

Kohl's on 26 Mile Road in Shelby Township, generously gave us significant discounts on the merchandise that we purchased in their store.  As a result, everything bought at Kohl's cost about $0.35 on the dollar, they made a $500 contribution and they wrapped all of the gifts for our families.  They have agreed to help out again this year!  Thank you Kohl’s!

Additionally, we have other vendors that give us discounts or contributions and contribute yearly because they care.  If we have more money than we need for these four families, there are other families in need that we will help.

Also, because we ask that checks be made payable to: SCF - Jamie's Smiles (Christmas) your contribution is tax deductible (please speak with a tax professional for details).  If you prefer you can also contribute items, but these will not be tax deductible.

If you are interested, please email me with your commitment and/or send your check to us at: PO Box 183181, Shelby Twp., MI 48318 as soon as possible.  We have already begun to purchase some items and will deliver the items in early December.  Thank you again!  If you have any questions I will be happy to speak with you, please send an email to info@JamiesSmiles.org.

Thank you for time and consideration!

The Bates Family