A Little Update

[Kristi]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to stop by and post a little update. I have been extremely busy with being Ms. Wheelchair SD, but I am loving every minute of it. I've done everything from appearing at the Special Olympics games, volunteering for Children's Miracle Network, and fishing with the Paralyzed Veterans of America. All have been life changing experiences for me and I'm looking forward to doing more things. I can't believe it has only been two months. I do miss coming here and posting. Hopefully, after Nationals I will have more time because then football season will be right around the corner (I CAN'T WAIT).

I am going to the Cowboys at Vikings game on October 17th. I have that weekend off no matter what when it comes to appearances. I can't miss MY Cowboys.

I had my first FUNdraiser yesterday and it was an awesome time. We raised about $700. The businesses have been great about donating prizes. I got anything from free meals to massages to concert tickets. I'm no where near close to what I need to raise so I'm going to have to brainstorm and hit the phones and different businesses and plan another fundraiser for sometime in July. I still need to raise at least $1000 more.

I am liking the fundraising side of this. It shows me that people are still very kind in this world. I got my hair done on Friday and my stylist handed me an envelop and it was from one of her clients. She saw my flyer posted at the salon and donated $40 bucks. That makes me feel good because the day before my truck got a nice big scratch on it at Hobby Lobby from a shopping cart. Really bummed me out. I could see the old lady by my truck from where I was at, but by the time I got there she was gone. Hmpf!

I had the opportunity to meet both our Senators and though I am not the biggest political person in the world, they were both very nice and very supportive of me representing South Dakota. I met our former mayor and both mayoral candidates at a charity basketball game. Well, the one that lost showed up at my fundraiser. He wrote it down in his planner at the basketball game. He and his wife were so very nice and he ended up being the big winner of the gift basket we raffled off.

The kids have the biggest piece of my heart. When they think I am a real live princess and aren't scared to come up to me and give me a hug or take a picture with me makes being a busy bee the best part of this job. My friends daughter who is 5 donated $.37 out of her own money and gave it to me to put towards going to Michigan. If that wasn't the sweetest thing and brought tears to my eyes.

Here are some photos of what I have been doing and you can see all photos here. http://s1025.***BLOCKED***/home/mswheelchairsd/index

Jovie -- CMN Telethon. She had most of her insides replaced last year. Now, she is a bundle of energy and my favorite little princess in pink.
http://i1025.***BLOCKED***/albums/y318/mswheelchairsd/childrens_miracle_network_6_6_10/DSCN1251.jpg

Senator John Thune
http://i1025.***BLOCKED***/albums/y318/mswheelchairsd/Public_Figures/DSCN1146.jpg

Senator Tim Johnson
http://i1025.***BLOCKED***/albums/y318/mswheelchairsd/Public_Figures/DSCN1247.jpg

Fishing with the PVA and Firemen
http://i1025.***BLOCKED***/albums/y318/mswheelchairsd/pva_firemen_fishing/DSCF6570.jpg

Radio and TV Day
http://i1025.***BLOCKED***/albums/y318/mswheelchairsd/media_day/28956_1416649410062_1047404919_3120.jpg

Stamp Out Hunger with the Letter Carriers
http://i1025.***BLOCKED***/albums/y318/mswheelchairsd/NALC%20_and_Stamp_Out_Hunger_5_8_10/DSCN1183.jpg

 

[big dog cowboy]

You simply need to post more often. Your posts are always uplifting.

 

[Route 66]

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

That's pretty cool. Looks like you are having a lot of fun.

BTW don't do the hand pose in pictures anymore.

 

[VietCowboy]

Hey pretty cool!

Enterprise randomly decided to give free pizza today to the camp I am working at which works with children with autism so I would definitely see if they could help out for you too fundraising-wise.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Good going, Kristy. Way to give back with your new status.

 

[Kristi]

That's pretty cool. Looks like you are having a lot of fun.

BTW don't do the hand pose in pictures anymore.

Why not? Those are the number one ROCK DJs in Sioux Falls. That is the ultimate symbol for ROCK!

Rock On Bob and get with the times.

I even taught my boat captains the rock on sign and they are grandpas. Truly a high light to spread the rock in roll love.

There is a time and place for the hand symbol. Notice I didn't do with the senators.

VietCowboy - I didn't have any problems with businesses donating prizes for my fundraiser. I think only a handful turned me down and I could hit up a ton more different businesses for this next fundraiser for prizes. That's awesome that they do that because I was able to raffle off some awesome prizes. I just need to be able to pull in more money at these raffles to get to Michigan. Don't get me wrong $700 is awesome amount, but my application fee to enter is $1500. That doesn't include getting there.

I'm hoping with a kissing booth PLUS prizes we will be able to pull in more money. $1000 would perfect. It is my hope that I can raise a little extra to hand over to the next woman. It would be nice to have a little cushion so you are not overwhelmed. I'm grateful that I have wonderful parents that have helped with some of the expenses.

If you don't see me post in a while you can keep up with me on my blog on my website http://www.kristi-allen.com. I try and keep that updated as best I can. I do miss posting. Hopefully, I haven't missed any juicy news in the last couple of months.

\m/ Rock on everyone! \m/

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Keep this up Kristi, and you'll need a new set of tires on that chair!

Thanks for the updates. Brings a smile to my face.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

If we wanted to help where would we send donations?

 

[Kristi]

CajunCowboy -- there is PayPal on my site http://www.kristi-allen.com otherwise you can mail a donation too. It all goes to the same account.

Ms. Wheelchair South Dakota
c/o David Allen
208 N Detroit Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57110

I'd appreciate any help. That would be awesome. Thanks!

Salt -- I actually do need a new set of tires. Mine are pretty beat up and my chair isn't even a year old. It's my first set of Spinergy tires and I like em, but they get beat faster then any other tire I have had. Hoping to get some blingy ones for nationals.

 

[VietCowboy]

Not sure how events go, but one thing I've found is goldfishing is pretty fun. Try to see if there's fish stores or pet stores that are willing to donate gold fish and a fish tank.

then, buy some small fish nets then cut them (not a huge hole). And then charge to go fishing. Some will be able to get a fish, and others won't. Just have some sandwich bags and rubber bands for those that want to go home with them.

Another fundraiser that is hella fun is wreck a car. See if you can get someone to donate a (possibly junkyard) car. Then, get some hammers/sledgehammers, etc and you can have people pay to "wreck" that car. Can definitely make a lot off that.

Host a basketball (or any sports/trivia) competition/game.

Host a walk/run/wheelchair.

Host a comedy/open-mic night.

 

[Kristi]

I'm thinking a kissing booth at one of our local favorite bars plus raffle prizes and another big gift basket that you don't have to be present to win. I was able to sell tickets to that prior to the fundraiser. That thing raised $235 on it's own.

They call me Kissing Kristi, but she doesn't come out near as often since I don't drink that much anymore. If I can get a few local celebrities -- male and female to be a part of it I think it might go over well. I can only hope. I have a couple of friends willing to be in it. Dad is a little hesitant on the kissing booth. He just doesn't want me to get sick before nationals.

If not, I can think of something else -- I hope.

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

Good stuff! Congrats on all of your success and good luck in the Nationals!

 

[DallasCowpoke]

BTW don't do the hand pose in pictures anymore.

Yea, and if you must, at least make it "the shocker"!

 

[DallasCowpoke]

They call me Kissing Kristi, but she doesn't come out near as often since I don't drink that much anymore. If I can get a few local celebrities -- male and female to be a part of it I think it might go over well.

NOW we're talkin'!!!


:jackpot: :jackpot: :jackpot:

 

[kristie]

NOW we're talkin'!!!


:jackpot: :jackpot: :jackpot:

:laugh2:

 

[Kristi]

LOL! I hope a bar is willing to do that.