1/31/2017 update.
Here's a note from one of Marilyn's friends, who agreed to let us publish it.
Nancy is so inspiring - going the extra mile to reach her friends, emailing her personal note to be sure others know more Marilyn's urgent circumstances, and even donating her usual Christmas budget! If you'd like to follow Nancy's example of gifting, Kim can mail or email to print a nice note which states that you are giving to Marilyn in their honor. This can be for ANY TIME of the year! Click here to email Kim.
Nancy - THANK YOU! This was an awesome letter!
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes, I'll say it right upfront. I'm contacting you about a fundraiser. It's for a very dear friend of mine who has suffered so many losses over the past few years that now her day to day safety and survival are at risk. Marilyn has muscular dystrophy, a congenital, progressive muscle-wasting disease. She has used a wheelchair all of her adult life, although until about 2 years ago, she could walk a few steps at a time (very handy for getting into the tiny bathroom that won't accommodate her wheelchair.) She can no longer stand or walk or get out of her bed or chair. Her shoulders aren't strong enough to reach the kitchen faucet or open the refrigerator. She has managed with the combination of government-subsidized housing, an electric scooter, a service dog and a government-paid part-time caregiver.
The recent problems started when Epic, her beloved golden
retriever and only companion (and talented helper), died. Her crotchety 14-year-old electric scooter has been patched many
times, but the parts are no longer available. (Budget cuts are holding up the
new modern electric chair that was approved for her more than a year ago).
Marilyn's wonderful long-time caregiver was forced to resign more than 6 months
ago due to her own health issues. And so it goes, on and on.
With the use of a $4200 lift, Marilyn could hire a new caregiver who wouldn't be required to physically, bodily lift her several times daily. It is just too difficult and unsafe for almost anyone to do without help, and the state does not pay for that kind of equipment. When candidates for the job realize how heavy the lifting is, they decline. So Marilyn has relied on the generosity of a few good friends who stop by before or after work to help her out here and there as possible. It is not a safe or healthy system. (Did I mention that Marilyn also diabetic? Meals are haphazard, at best).
So here is what I am requesting. Please look at the attached website "Marilyn's Needs". Think if you could help out with any size donation. Then, Please pass this message on to anyone/ everyone you think might be moved by her story and assure them that the cause is legitimate (and desperate). These fundraising sites only work if they generate a lot of traffic, and Marilyn's social network is limited. If you can help by increasing its exposure, especially on social media, then even a very small gift can be multiplied.
With the use of a $4200 lift, Marilyn could hire a new caregiver who wouldn't be required to physically, bodily lift her several times daily. It is just too difficult and unsafe for almost anyone to do without help, and the state does not pay for that kind of equipment. When candidates for the job realize how heavy the lifting is, they decline. So Marilyn has relied on the generosity of a few good friends who stop by before or after work to help her out here and there as possible. It is not a safe or healthy system. (Did I mention that Marilyn also diabetic? Meals are haphazard, at best).
So here is what I am requesting. Please look at the attached website "Marilyn's Needs". Think if you could help out with any size donation. Then, Please pass this message on to anyone/ everyone you think might be moved by her story and assure them that the cause is legitimate (and desperate). These fundraising sites only work if they generate a lot of traffic, and Marilyn's social network is limited. If you can help by increasing its exposure, especially on social media, then even a very small gift can be multiplied.
Finally, to my own family, I will not be doing any Christmas shopping this year and will instead donate my usual Christmas budget to Marilyn's cause.
Thanks for anything you
can do.
Love,
Nancy
The Donation tab in this site's sidebar has a link to donate at Generosity.com. We're SO pleased to report that donors have contributed $950 to date JUST through this site! Other donations: A check mailed in to me which is being forwarded for Marilyn's needs today; at least one check mailed to Marilyn's church (for donations $500 or more); a $100 cash donation; and a donation committed to a vendor for a new need that just came up.
ReplyDeleteA total from all sources is not available at this time, but we know that there's still a ways to go...and yet the progress is awesome. Marilyn is overwhelmed with gratitude. She is working on her own thank you letter to all, but I want to thank you for your kindness. I pray that God will bless you in unexpected and joyful ways this New Year.
Merry Christmas to all!
A NOTE FROM MARILYN:
ReplyDeleteDear friends, family, contributors:
Words cannot begin to express my sincere appreciation to you for your generous contributions! Your donations will go a long way in helping me take care of some financial burdens that I could not handle alone. Please know that you have made a real difference in my life to meeting the challenges before me. I am full of gratitude and thankfulness for your kindness and generosity. Thank you!
Happy, Healthy New Year to each and every one of you, and may the Lord bless you!
Sincerely and with gratitude,
Marilyn Plantinga
Great news: To date, we've raised $1300 for Marilyn's needs. This can be viewed at https://www.generosity.com/medical-fundraising/marilyn-s-needs. Larger donations (over $500), are typically sent in to Marilyn's church (see Donate Now in this site's sidebar). There were checks mailed in to Marilyn as well, so the total from all sources is now $2464.50. There may be a couple checks outstanding yet. There's also a slight fee that the online giving site charges to process the donations of 3% plus .30 cents per transaction. No other site charges so little. THANK YOU for everyone's support. We'll keep going a bit longer and hope this reaches closer to the goal Marilyn needs, but of course it all has helped so much already.
ReplyDelete2/8/2016 UPDATE: This fundraiser will end at the end of this month, February, though donations will still be accepted, since there's likely to still be a need. Contact Kim if you wish to donate beyond this month.
ReplyDeleteSo far, donations from varied sources (online - see Home page sidebar link; checks sent in the mail; church donation and individual donations made through the church), are anticipated to total OVER the official goal of $10,000! However, the official goal did NOT include all of Marilyn's needs, so we are grateful for donations that come in which exceed the official goal. It WILL be GREATLY NEEDED AND APPRECIATED!
Note - only this phase of the fundraiser will end. Pls. see later comments below to explain.
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ReplyDeleteThe main phase of this fundraiser is over and has transitioned into leaving this site open indefinitely for future donations. Marilyn's needs will continue over time, bringing with it some financial concerns. Hence, future donations will definitely still be helpful and GREATLY appreciated.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING...as of March 8, donations have totaled $13,339.47 (online + private checks + church donation + cash)! Everyone's donations, whether $10 or $3000, has been a real help - THANK YOU!!!
The goal for the fundraiser was originally set at $10,000, however, we knew from the beginning that Marilyn's needs were over $14,000. Human shortsightedness meant that we didn't know how we'd even get to $10,000...amazing that so many hearts have been opened up to help!
It's been a wondrous journey of unexpected blessings!
Thankfully, Marilyn's major need expenses have been taken care of, but the above funds will run out soon. Anticipated expenses may not be huge, but they are definite concerns when the funds run out: service dog maintenance, handicapped van repair (body work - when it rains, it leaks!)...caregivers drive this to transport Marilyn, extra hourly pay for caregivers (doctor appointments take extra time and the state only allows a minimal amt. of time per wk, no matter what the needs are), etc.. THANK YOU for all past and future donations that you may be considering for Marilyn's Needs.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn has a progressive muscle disease - Muscular Dystrophy. Current donations are needed to help fund Marilyn's upcoming van repairs (auto body work...when it rains, it literally pours - inside!), and ongoing needs such as service dog maintenance. We don't have an estimate yet of the cost for van repairs, but will post this soon. We know that God will provide and He will bless the many hearts of those who have joined to help with these special needs.
ReplyDeletePlease note that this, like any similar fundraiser (Go-Fund-Me, etc.), is not tax deductible. People have kindly given of their own resources just to be of real help. There's nothing wrong with giving to large organizations that fight disease, help the homeless, etc., but it's great to be a SIGNIFICANT HELP to one specific person - someone you have a connection with. Your gift will be used 100% for Marilyn's needs.
A huge praise that previous donations have covered Marilyn's past special needs not covered by insurance, such as her "Tram" - a device for transfers from wheelchair to bed, etc. Without this, she would not be able to have a much needed caregiver. $4200 of the previously donated $13,000 went to the Tram alone. There were many other unmet needs such as a special motorized bed and more, all of which your faithful donations have helped to pay for. Without YOUR help - prayers, donations, and promoting this site to others, Marilyn would not have her needs met. We're VERY GRATEFUL!
BACKGROUND: Marilyn is someone who has always tried to help others and continues to make every effort to help herself. She works several hours most every day, doing all she can physically do, as a medical transcriber in her home. Marilyn has NEVER had a vacation. Despite doing all she can, some expenses are burdensome and overwhelming.
Your one donation may not solve her entire needs, but combined with others, your help can truly make a difference. This is an exciting opportunity to be a blessing to someone - and to be blessed.
ReplyDeleteAs of 1-9-2017, Marilyn's job is in jeopardy! She needs her work to help pay her basic bills for existence. Marilyn works 5 days/wk, several hours/day (as much as she can physically handle) as a medical transcriber, and has not had any vacation. This may be a blessing in disguise - please pray for a BETTER job to replace this one, as well as one that is less stressful.
This January, 2107, Marilyn lost her job. She needs her work to help pay her basic bills for existence. Marilyn worked 5 days/wk, several hours/day (as much as she can physically handle) as a medical transcriber, and has not had any vacation. Please pray for a BETTER job to replace this one, as well as one that is less stressful.
ReplyDelete