Every so often, the team at 4m.erdd.us receives a message from one of our supporters that reminds us why we’re compelled to continue this project. Our audience has most definitely gone global but being that today is Independence Day in the USA, we thought it appropriate to share an American story with you.
During our Spring fundraising campaign, we offered a chance to win an autographed copy of Billboard Magazine featuring Bruno Mars on the cover. The random winner was a young woman named Ashley Schmitz from Oklahoma. Upon hearing the good news, she wrote this:
Hi!
Just wanted to let you know I got the package. I also wanted to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to give back. It’s been a rough couple of months lately from what I swear would be a ‘Dr. House’ episode to
tornadoes destroying my grandparents’ home leveling the ground to also losing a few friends along the way. It’s been so rough that pulling my boot straps up and finding my big girl underwear was and still is sometimes hard to do. The reason I tell you this is because whether you know it or not – and this may sound crazy – but you have impacted my life in a positive way because knowing that I was able to give to an organization that gives and continues to give to through music and a kind heart brings me happiness. When you emailed me saying that my name was drawn to receive the Billboard magazine, I was shocked, I didn’t know about the drawing. When I got the package, it put a smile on my face because not only do I get to wear the shirt and help represent something special I also received an autograph from a person who’s music has inspired me to continue to express myself through music.
Please thank everyone that was involved with this project and I wish everyone well-being, happiness and the best of luck in everything they do.
With love,
Ashley Schmitz aka Schmitzy
Ashley’s story reminds us of the power of giving strength and support to others that need it. Ashley credits her Fine Arts family at Northwestern Oklahoma State University for helping her through ‘the ruts in the road’. We’re so happy to hear that her grandparents have been able to move into their new home and that she’s finally coming to the conclusion of the Dr. House episode figuring out that the most likely cause of her health issues was environmental – meaning she breathed in an unknown chemical that was causing her body to shut down.
We wish her and ALL of our m.a.m.a. earth supporters the strength and courage we all need to face life’s challenges and the kind of open and loving heart it takes to make a change for the better in our local and global communities!
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