Dear Friends,
Last year, thanks to the generosity of many, my “1st Annual Old Man Bike Ride to The
Northern Lights Lodge” to benefit Spare Key raised over $2,500 that went directly to benefit Minnesota families struggling to stay in their homes while a child suffering from a critical illness recovered.
This year, the “2nd Annual Old Man Bike Ride to The Northern Lights Lodge” is focusing on an even more aggressive goal.
With your help and support I hope to raise $5,000.00 to support the efforts of Spare Key. For those of you who don’t know about Spare Key, I encourage you to visit our website:
www.sparekey.org.
Spare Key provides assistance to Minnesota homeowners with critically ill or seriously
injured children by making a mortgage payment on the family’s behalf, allowing parents
to spend time with their child.
Since last year, even more families are struggling to stay in their homes – keep their jobs – and pay the bills. Add to those struggles a child becoming desperately sick, ill or injured, and the challenges for those families increase exponentially.
Here are some sobering facts that you should know about:
- The number of families seeking assistance from Spare Key has increased from 2010 by 31%!
- Spare Key was able to serve 143 families in 2010. In 2011 Spare Key has already served 106 families year-to-date.
- Last month we had a record 26 families apply for assistance.
- Some of the families seeking our assistance have children who have been born prematurely, been diagnosed with cancer, others are recovering from a life-threatening accident or disease.
- Spare Key is one of those unique organizations that exist today. Those who seek the temporary assistance of Spare Key must be current on their mortgage payments – and receive assistance only once in a calendar year.
Thanks to the generosity of many, here’s what Spare Key has been able to accomplish
since our organization began 14 years ago:
- Over 1,250 families have received assistance across the State of Minnesota (we’ve served families in almost every county).
- Over $1.25 million has been paid out on behalf of families with critically ill or injured children.
There are so many good organizations doing great things throughout America today. One of the great things about Americans is that they give so much to help those with so little.
So, I understand if you just cannot support this effort because of other commitments – but, I would ask that you pass it along to friends and families who might be able to consider it an option for their charitable giving this year.
But, if you can help, I’d ask you to consider two different ways.
One, is by pledging an amount per mile. The distance from my home in Saint Paul to The
Northern Lights Lodge is approximately 162 miles. Whatever you can contribute .10 cents per mile – .50 cents per mile – or whatever you can afford – will add up quickly!
Two, is by pledging $162.00 as a total amount -and if you care to, in honor of a friend, family member or simply as a gift to Spare Key.
Whichever way you choose, you can contribute by going to the following link: https://www.sparekey.org/OnlineDonation.html
To put your gift in perspective, to assist one family amounts to $1,200.
Last year’s total of $2,500 meant that 2 additional families received assistance. By doubling the goal this year, we can assist at least 4 additional families focus on the healing needs of their children rather than worrying about how to make a mortgage payment.
That’s real money. Making a real difference in the lives of real families.
As it did last year, my bike ride will begin on my birthday – June 16th. This year, however, I will begin at midnight on June 16th– and ride throughout the day until I reach The Northern Lights Lodge. If you want to ride the whole, or just part of the way, I’d love to have you join me on the adventure!
Thanks for your consideration of this effort. Again, if you can pledge per mile, or make an
outright gift of $162.00, please do so by clicking on this link: https://www.sparekey.org/OnlineDonation.html
All the best,
Erich E. Mische, Board Member, Spare Key
P.S. – Friends, as I rode last year to benefit Spare Key, there wasn’t a mile of my trip that I wasn’t being encouraged by those who had pitched in to contribute in some way to the
effort. As each mile became more physically difficult, my spirit was lifted by the
knowledge that 2 families were ultimately going to benefit from the more than $2,500 that
was pledged by supporters. I hope you will help lift the spirits of at least 4 Minnesota
families by helping me reach the goal of raising $5,000 on the “2nd Annual Old Man Bike
Ride to The Northern Lights Lodge” to benefit Spare Key!
