Thank You Letter From Lindy Watts – Organizer and Founder

I truly do not know where to begin. This Fundraiser was just a thought I had last year. I knew there had to be a way we could raise money for each other in times of need without starting a GoFundMe account every day. I sent out about 20 emails to different members asking their thoughts. The positive feedback I received started things in motion. The planning started last September by contacting the Hyatt. I designed our group LOGO and website at the first of the year. I filed our group to become a LLC business, we have an EIN tax number, checking and savings at the AAFCU. All legal documents have been filed and our legal name is Crazy FA Cat Owners Group ( just for business purposes and to make sure AA didn’t come back on us for any reason).

With all that I had no idea the response would be as great as it was. At first, I know I was posting non stop about our “Fundraiser” asking for donations to get things rolling. You came through. I am so very proud of everyone that has been supportive from the start. I am proud of all the members who have worked so hard helping me with postings, reminders, and throwing out new and creative ideas. I have hosted a lot of parties 100 guest + no big thing, but this ….WOW this was the first time I have attempted to put together a Fundraiser with people coming from all around the country and with the help of everyone, I would not have succeeded.

There are so many I wanted to thank at the event Sunday evening. I was extremely nervous, I look back and know I should have taken a few more deep breaths, paused and given much more information.

Vonda Millard, Karen Duester Haas, Debra Hinkle Dasenbrock, are true pros at Fundraising. Their  expertise and experience was very much appreciated. Thank you. Tammy Blythe Ary, you’re an absolute doll, thank you for running and buying the beautiful flowers that were table centerpieces, and for the morning donuts. Kristin Tullis-Bates and Tammy Blythe Ary, you did a fantastic job making the Year of the Cat(s) award poster for our Lenard and Stevie Amber Lane & Kimberly Whitener-Passmore) Robbin Douglas & Kathleen Schaner thank you for bringing all the goodies I needed and Robbin thank Kane for the use of the USPS bends for the t-shirts, they were puuurrrfect. Diane Temples Garland, thank you for the nibbles you brought Saturday, I think that was all I had to eat for both days. Diane did a fabulous job with all the lovely baskets she had been working on for months for raffle prizes. Joni Dixon and Jennifer Waldrip Craig, thank you for running around both days and picking up items we needed and helping. Pamela Fisher, Sue, Jennifer Mitchell and Mary Bennett Golly thanks for all the help setting up Saturday and Sunday. Kristin Tullis-Bates made the most adorable table centerpieces, please make them agin next year. Elsa Rodriguezand Marcy Russell King made beautiful flower arrangements for the table too.

Then of course we have everyone that donated raffle prizes. The gifts that were sent to my house and my friend Janelle’s home were above and beyond. We had over 90 groupings of raffle prizes. This is not 90 gifts, but each raffle prize had 5-10 items in the prize. You bought a ticket for $1 and the average raffle prize was well over $40.00. That was amazing. And I just want everyone to know, yes I did put my $50 worth of tickets into The Piano Guys concert and I won . I hope everyone that won a raffle prize walked away happy. I will make a different posting regarding donation. I want to thank Mary Bennett Golly for recommending Dr Susan Head join our group. It was a true honor having her as a guest speaker and present her power point on keeping our fur babies happy, alert, active and healthy.

My amazing friend Vince Poscente, who gave up his last Sunday evening to spend with his daughter before she left for collage. Yes, his talk was FREE to our group. Google him, he normally charges $15,000-$50,000 for speaking engagements. He was a little out of his normal element. Usually a larger audience, a lavalier microphone, a screen behind for effects and different lighting. His talks range to 1 hour of more. But overall I hope everyone enjoyed him.

My wonderful friends who took time out of their busy lives to help be my check-in team. They did an amazing job checking everyone in, passing out t shirts and selling raffle tickets. Janelle Gollihar, Sandy Jennings, Belynda Whitehead Bridgford and Ann.

I hope everyone realized that you received a Free luggage tag and a cute pair of kitty earrings that was stapled to the luggage tag bag for those that attended.

If for any reason your order was not correct, please message me. I will correct it. I am the one that package and mailed all the orders. Believe me when I say if you give me the first two numbers of your zip code, I can tell you what state you live in. I know a few members did not like their crew neck t shirts they ordered, I will correct it this time but not again. I have to pay for the shirts from our funds.

Moving forward, the website will remain up permanently. I have a meeting with my web designer this Friday. We will be changing a few things. You WILL be able to purchase Pins, Luggage tags and T shirts. This is one way we plan on continuing raising  funds for our cause. I will be adding a $2.00 fee for mailing Pins and Tags. T-shirts will remain $25.00 and that will include mailing. Average mailing for the shirts $5.83. Shirts cost $13-$17 (short or long sleeve) after the mailing we are making $6.00.

The Video….. I will record if off of my desktop and post. It is 14 minutes long. I started this video in March. I received over 700 pictures. I am truly sorry, I did not mean to hurt or often anyone if their fur baby was not in the video. I know some kitties have the same name and I may not have put the correct kitty in. This was not intentionally. The 14 minutes video took over 40 hours if not longer to make. I know it may not be the best, I know there are those who can do better than I and quicker. If anyone would like a copy, message me and I will mail one to you.

Continued DONATION: after this Friday 8/23, on the website you will find how to continue making a monthly donation$1-5 a month. Of course if you want to make a larger donation you can, but all I am asking for is the $1-$5 once a month.This will go directly into our AAFCU account fund. When a member is in need of help, there will be a form on the website you will submit. With the help of my team, we will help you. Please remember, there will be a limit on how many times you may ask for help within a year. Until we have a large amount in our fund, there will be a limit to what is sent out. In order for this to work, in order for us to have another Fundraiser (I promise will be more organized) we have to have monthly donations from all members.

I will make another posting thank all you donated and helped.

Again, I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to everyone in this group. I said YOU are the foundation of what we are building. It is because of you, your love, kindness and support that we WILL soar high. This is just the beginning.