Vendor Marketplace Update....
Current News & Updates
Hey all,
Sorry for the delay in posting updates. It has been crazy busy here at Aspiring Hope.
UPDATES ON CURRENT FUNDRAISING:
We have now finished up our 2nd Yard Sale Fundraiser. I can't thank everyone enough that was involved. We have raised over $3300 from both yard sales so that truly is amazing. We also has a fundraiser involving The Best You by Kattie Fulkerson as well as a Norwex Party Fundraiser by Mandi Boone. Thank you both to the amazing ladies for being a part of Aspiring Hope.
Now we are moving right along. We are having a meeting this Saturday, June 30th @ 11am. It will be at Lisa Lands's house. If you are interested in seeing what Aspiring Hope is about or would like to get involved please message me and I can send you the details.
We will be discussing out next Fundraising Ideas so that we can keep this momentum going. I do know that I am working with 3 Willows Boutique on having a fundraiser through them. Just waiting to set the dates so that will be super exciting as well. She has amazing items. I've probably bought more than my fair share of clothes from her so this is perfect.
UPDATES ON CURRENT RECIPIENTS:
Team Xander has been doing a fundraiser through Schwans so please please please go check out the website and place an order. 20% of all orders will be donated on Xander's behalf so every little bit does help.
Team Zach has been approved for their service dog through 4 Paws for Ability. YAY!! They have started their shoe drive and have until mid August to get as many shoes to help with their cause. Please reach out to us if you have any shoes that you wish to donate.
Both teams have Facebook pages. I urge you to check them out and follow. They constantly post updates and it great to see who you are helping with these simple gestures.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Right now we are full on planning for the Masquerade Ball Fundraiser that will be held February 2019 in Bardstown, KY. More posts to come about this exciting event!!!
Meet Zach.......
Introducing this rambunctious little 6 year old, Zach. He is 6 years old and lives in Nicholasville, KY. He enjoys collecting rocks, coins, dancing, and repeating songs he likes. He also enjoys running. No purpose needed; he just likes to run.
Zach has been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, epilepsy, and Tuberous Sclerosis. Little Zach struggles with communication, socializing, and paying attention to learn. He doesn't see the harm in any situation so he has to be constantly supervised. He is a "wanderer" so their house has to stay locked on the inside at all times to keep him from wandering off. You can't let him walk alone outside because he will run away. Every day life is hard for Zach. He doesn't understand the purpose of day to day activities nor why things have to be done a certain way. From brushing your teeth to wearing clothes in public.
Zach is currently struggling with seizures during the night; this keeps him from resting well for the next day. Someone must attend to him at all times from the moment he wakes up until bed. Now with the seizures during the night he must remain with an adult during sleep as well.
Zach has two siblings, a younger brother Tucker and a 4 year old sister Loehe. His parents are Mandi and Ricky Phelps. Loehe is beyond brave and consistently supports her brothers.
Along with the struggles that Zach is facing; Tucker was also recently diagnosed with Autism and his father, Ricky, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Ricky is currently off work while undergoing chemo treatment at the Central Baptist Cancer Center. Tucker attends speech and occupational therapy twice a week outside of the home.
The family is struggling to make financial ends meet due to all they are facing. Mandi is the only one working currently but between balancing work, all of Zach & Tucker's appointments as well as Ricky's treatments; it is a lot to take on. They were just approved for a service dog through 4 Paws For Ability that will help tremendously with Zach's quialit of life. Unfortunately the family will have to come up with $17,000 to pay for the dog.
Please consider donating to help this family. We will be doing several fundraisers to help in any way we can to assist Zach and his family.
To follow Zach's journey please check out Team Zach's Facebook page here.
We will be doing a shoe drive to help with the cost. We will need 3,000 shoes so please consider donating any shoes that you no longer wear. We accept men's, women's, & children's. Contact us at aspiringhopeky@gmail.org or call/text (502)648-4009.
As always remember even the smallest amount can make a difference. Please click the donate link and be sure to note that the donation is for "Team Zach"!!
Xander Update....
Hey all,
WE DID IT!!!
We met our goal of 3,000 shoes for the Xander shoe drive. It is awesome how great our community is and truly inspiring the way we all come together in a time of need.
Jessica has a new fundraiser in place to help continue to raise money for Xander's service dog. They have chipped away at the total $17,000 that was needed and they are down to needing $11,000. The new fundraiser is through Schwans. If you ever order for Schwans please consider ordering through this link. Schwans will donate toward Xander's Fundraiser to help pay down even more what is due. You can find the link here on their Facebook page or click the link below.
Meet Xander.....
Hi Everyone!!
I want everyone to meet Xander. He is 5 years old and lives in Hodgenville, KY. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder and ADHD. He has significant delays in communications and is non-verbal but it currently working on learning how to use a communication system device. He requires constant supervision for most activities of daily living. Xander currently goes to Occupational and Speech therapy and is starting to verbally communicate better.
His mom, Jessica, is a mother of 3. She wants to support Xander as he grows so he can experience life to his fullest abilities. Jessica is wanting to get her son an autism assistance service dog. The dog will be trained to cope with Xander's noises and behaviors as well as know how to calm him down when he starts to exhibit self injurious behavior. The service dog also helps with sleeping, meltdowns, and repetitive behaviors and tethering so he can walk on his own and not have to be put in a cart or stroller when out. Ultimately it will help him become more independent and safe with the public.
Xander has been approved for a service dog through the organization, 4 Paws for Ability, a non profit out of Ohio that specializes in training service dogs. Unfortunately service dogs are not covered by any insurance so the family has to come out of pocket for the expense. The families portion to raise is $17,000. Jessica has created a Facebook page to keep everyone up to date on the status of the fundraising. You can check it out here.
We are wanting to help in any way we can to assist Xander and his family. We will be doing several fundraisers to help them get the money needed so Xander can have the service dog he needs to live the best life as possible.
Please consider helping us!!
Jessica currently has a shoe drive in progress. She needs to collect 3,000 shoes. The more she collects the more money that gets applied to the cost of the service dog. She currently has collected 975 pairs of shoes so lets help her get the remaining 2,100. She needs it by the end of May!!
We also are assisting in raising funds as well. If you would like to donate you can either donate online (by clicking the donate button) and specify that it is for Xander or you can mail a check to:
Aspiring Hope, 133 Southpoint Drive Lexington KY 40515 (put in memo section: For Xander)
Or if you prefer you can donate directly to 4 Paws for Ability. You can go to their website www.4pawsforability.org and donate online (be sure to include in the instructions that it is for Alexander Helm). You can also mail a check to:
4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave, Xenia OH 45385 (put in memo section: Alexander Helm)
We will continue to keep everyone posted on our efforts and on the different fundraising events that we have to help get the money needed!!
And always remember, even the smallest amount can make a difference.!!
