Hello! I was wondering if anyone would be interested in donating any of your handmade items for an upcoming silent auction/raffle benefit on behalf this family. Mike, Theresa, and their son are very close friends of mine and any way that you might be able to help out this family would be greatly appreciated. It is also a great way for your wonderful items to be seen by an audience they may not have been reached until now.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and any help that you might be able to provide.
Thank you,
Brandi Kendrick
Here is some background about the benefit & the family it will be supporting:
This benefit will be held at Throwbacks Grille & Bar in Woodbury on September 12th, 2010. Proceeds from this event will help offset medical costs and help with the replacement of personal belongings. Friends and family members are hard at work gathering auction & raffle items such as merchandise, gift certificates, gift items, services and weekend get-aways to ensure a successful event. We are also looking for merchants who may be interested in sponsoring a portion of the benefit. Please contact Lisa McKinnon at
lmckinnon@minncle.org or (651) 307-4252 if you have questions regarding this opportunity.
In mid-July, Michael (approx. 5 weeks old at the time) was taken to the ER with a respiratory problem. He was admitted to St. Paul Children’s Hospital where he remained for approximately 3 days. During that time, a Bronchoscopy revealed that his trachea was collapsing 80% with each breath (known as Tracheal Malaysia). An additional procedure showed a very large hole in his heart, requiring open-heart surgery. His condition declined rapidly, and he was taken, by LifeLink ambulance, to Minneapolis Children’s Hospital where he remains as of this writing. He has since had life-saving surgery to repair his heart, and he remains on a ventilator to help him breathe. He may still require further treatment for his breathing problem (possibly a Tracheotomy).
You can visit Michael’s Caring Bridge website at: [url
www.caringbridge.or g/visit/michaelknutsen[/url]
Additionally, Mike and Theresa received a phone call Wednesday, July 21, 2010 from the Woodbury Police, while at St. Paul Children’s Hospital with Michael, stating their home was on fire. This resulted in the loss of most of their possessions, as well as a place to live.
Enclosed, you will find a sheet to list your donated item(s) and where to send it or who to contact if needed to be picked up if you decide to participate. Please fill out this form and return it as indicated
by August 31st to ensure that you are listed as a donor to the event. Your contribution will help this young family get a better start and help them alleviate some of the financial obligations that are sure to follow. Your participation would be greatly appreciated.
Although Mike and Theresa have medical insurance, deductibles are high and many things will not be covered. As to the fire, they are completely without renter’s insurance, as they had not addressed it due to Michael’s condition.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Lisa McKinnon at (651) 307-4252. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
The Families of Mike Knutsen, Theresa Struntz & Michael Benjamin Knutsen
