This model is truly a win-win-win.  It increases Waterstone employee’s morale, allows for networking – all in the name of benefiting Minnesota homeowners with a child in the hospital.  For those of you that are stuck with the question “what can I possibly do”,  consider bringing Spare Key into your office culture.  With the Holiday Season approaching, now is the perfect time as your office may already have these events in place.  What a perfect way to bring in the spirit of the Holiday Season!

This summer, Spare Key is working to increase visibility by launching a live marketing campaign called “Where’s the Door?”. Our brightly colored, 12-foot tall door commands attention wherever it goes! Once guests inquire about the door, our fantastic Spare Key street team is able to share the Spare Key story and mission with the greater public.  In addition to learning about the work that Spare Key does, guests have a chance to win a vacation. All they need to do is stop by the door, take a picture and post the picture on Spare Key’s Facebook wall. The picture with the most unique comments willl win the trip!

Come visit our door all over Minnesota this summer! The Spare Key Door will be at:

The Microsoft Store at the Mall of America
The Stone Arch Festival
The Basilica Block Party                                                                                                                     Moon Dance Jam                                                                                                                                  We Fest                                                                                                                                                 The State Fair

Check out our facebook or twitter if you want more details about dates and times for the “Where’s the Door?” Campaign at:

https://www.facebook.com/sparekey

http://www.twitter.com/sparekeymn                     

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!

“I feel very lucky to have been the first MSW intern. Working in the office of Spare Key has really opened my eyes to how a non-profit organization works and what goes into the day to day operations. I want to thank the staff in the office for all of the support that they gave me and I feel that I have grown both professionally and personally from the experience. Spare Key is a great organization and I hope to be involved in some way for many years to come.”

First to arrive, last to leave, Ms. Joyce is our amazing office manager that keeps this non-profit machine running smoothly and efficiently. If you make a call over to us, “Joyce the Voice” is the first person you hear.  If you send in an application and are accepted as a family we are going to help, Joyce is who will deliver the good news. Kids love her; adults love her; we love her!

A little girl wrote this letter to Joyce

Here’s some fun facts about Joyce:

Lives : Bloomington, MN

Worked at Spare Key: 4 years

What did you do before Spare Key?

I worked in the mortgage industry for about 10 years.  Before that, I worked as a corporate trainer and in marketing positions in the petroleum and transportation industries.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm near Ashley, North Dakota.  It was a great place for a kid to grow up!  There was a half-hour bus trip every morning to school and I graduated in a class of 44 people.  This rural small community environment provided the “village” support and opportunities to develop skills and talents.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

My favorite weekend activities involve being with friends and family.  We enjoy taking day trips to communities throughout the state and finding fun places to shop and trying the great foods at local restaurants.

Favorite food?

I enjoy most every food, with the exception of oatmeal!  I love seafood of all kinds and I seek out ethnic restaurants and delis.

What has been your favorite memory, moment, event, etc. with Spare Key?

My favorite moments at Spare Key always center on the families we assist.  The phone calls we make to tell families their application has been approved is a highlight every month. Meeting families in person is always a thrill and to meet their children completes the circle of the work we do.  When families send us their holiday photos, we proudly display them and everyone a-h-s!!  It is such a joy to see these children growing past their medical crisis.

Joyce gives the staff fun little gifts for every occasion!

“The work of Spare Key is so necessary and makes such a difference to families we assist.  It gives me such pleasure to be part of the work to meet our mission.”- Joyce

Madison chasing and loving bubbles

The family is holding their breath and crossing their fingers, because since the completing of chemo, Madison has been doing very well.

“Pediatricians know that their job may begin with the child, it encompasses the whole family. So it is that when a child dies, only a apart of that amazing organism has been lost. The rest of the family unit, grievously wounded, needs intensive care to survive and surpass this horrible event. To be invited into a family at a time such as this, to comfort  and be comforted over the loss of someone that you, too have come to love, is perhaps Medicine’s greatest reward. Derian was a special boy, as will become clear in this book. He made better people of us all. Why am I a pediatrician? This book answers that question.”

Interested in getting Patsy’s book for yourself? Check it out here