Bring Dawn Home - A card drive and a favor!

[Mothermark]

Where do I come when I need help in lifting the spirits of someone struggling through a difficult time in their life? Splitcoast Stampers, the kindest and most caring of all!

This is my story!

I received an email from a fellow SCSer (Pamela) with a very sad story about a resident in her hometown of Bristol, CT. This woman also is her son and daughter's aunt. She was requesting my help in getting a card drive organized for Dawn to lift her spirits and encourage her to hang in there during a difficult time!

This is Dawn's story!

Dawn is 42 yrs. old with two children and had just finished serving 2 yrs. in Iraq for the company KBR. While in Iraq, she met a gentleman from Africa. In May when her 2 yr term was finished, and before heading back to the U.S., she decided to visit her friend in Africa for 2 weeks. Four days before Dawns return to the U.S., she was in this horrific car crash. She is paralyzed from the neck down. Just yesterday Pamela heard from her brother that she is back on a ventilator.

As if her injuries are not bad enough, the family has financial issues to deal with as well. They have contacted The State Dept., U.S.Embassy as well as local Senators and Dawn's story has been on local news. Sadly, The Nairobi Hospital that she is in is demanding unbelievable amounts of money weekly. The hospital is charging close to $10,000 a week for Dawns care.

The U.S.Embassy has sent an American Dr. to check on Dawns condition. He says that she can not be moved for at least 2 months. And when she is able to be moved, because of her condition, she will have to be moved by medi-vac, which will have a price tag of $140,000. In the meantime a fund has been set up for Dawn at a local bank and $25,000 has been raised. The family is planning a benefit on July 11th.

The Card Drive:

So, with all that said, Pamela and I are doing what we can to get our fellow SCSers to send a card to Dawn to encourage her and let her know she is being thought of and cared about. She is all alone, thousands of miles away and some mail from all of us would put a bright spot in each and every day that one is received!

The Favor:

On a side note, Pamela is asking if we would send an e-mail to President Obama asking for his help with Dawn's situation. (Bring Dawn Home!) The more people who contact him, the more likely the family will get a response.

The website to contact the President is:

www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Here is a link to one of the news stories about Dawn.

http://www.wfsb.com/news/19707161/detail.html

Here is Dawn's address at the hospital.

Dawn Cole Danielle
C/O Nairobi International Hospital
Arwigs Kodek Road
P.O.Box 30026
G.P.O. 00100
Nairobi, Kenya

We realize that postage will be a little more than normal but consider that Dawn has served her time for all of us in Iraq. If you have any questions just pm me or Pamela (Itsjustme!)

Thank you all so much!

[It'sjustme]

Oh my, Cindy..... I am overwhelmed right now,(tissue in hand). I can not thank you enough for putting this on SCS for Dawn and her family. You are an amazing lady as are the wonderful people on SCS!!! It makes me feel a little less helpless to have this posted, and I owe it all to you. It's so hard to sit by and feel like there is not much you could do.... but I know when Dawn starts receiving these cards she is not going to feel so alone and it will encourage her to keep up the fight to come home!! I would also like to thank all of the amazing people on this site in advance on behalf of myself and the Cole family. You are all definately some of the most kindest and caring human beings. Thank you & God Bless!!
Hugs, Pamela

[Lovely Linda]

Dear Cindy and Pamela. what a great thing you are doing...the response from SCS will be overwhelming I am sure. When we had the horrific Bush Fires in VIC, I uploaded a card and shared how my DH had suggested I make some cards for the survivors....the response I got from SCS was amazing, such beautiful 'works of the heart' filled with love and encouragement, it was so very moving and humbling. I was so thrilled to take 683 cards into the Salvation Army to be distributed to these precious people!! I know that Dawn will be overwhelmed at the love and support she will get from friends here - I will be doing a card tomorrow....my prayers are with her...I am going to spread this link around to those I know.....and also put her on prayer chains here in Australia!! God bless you both!!

[pidgesmom]

Cindy, thanks for making us aware of this tragic story. I'm sure it will touch many hearts, I know it has mine. I'll be happy to send a card and message of support to Dawn.

[StampingQueenJAR]

Oh my! I will certainly be sending a card and also contacting POTUS about bringing Dawn home. Thank you for making us aware, Cindy!

[Mothermark]

Thank you SO much Linda, Lorraine and Judy! You guys just rock! I so appreciate your willingness to send a card! Big hugs!

[Mothermark]

Pamela....You are absolutely welcome! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help out. I can't even imagine how Dawn's life has been turned so upside down! She is fortunate to have people in her home town that are clearly doing all they can to get her home! Hang in there....Hugs!

[Cook22]

I'll send one!
The time my mum had her heart attack over in the States she had a doctor and nurse to fly back with her - thank goodness for insurance. But what a sad and tragic story for Dawn and her family. To have an accident like that at any time is a tragedy, but for it to happen at the end of a tour of active service makes it even more poignant.

[artystamper]

Oh my - what a terrible thing to happen and to be so far away and not even able to move - I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety she is feeling! my card will go off right away as well as a note to President Obama - my prayers have also started for Dawn.

thanks for posting this for us Cindy!

[joan ervin]

OMG, what a tragic event!!! My prayers are with Dawn and her family!!! I will contact the President and send a card....I am on vacation so it will have to be when I get back. Hugs to you, Cindy and Pamela...you are such angels!!!

[Mothermark]

Thank you Julia and Sabrina! Thank you , thank you, thank you! You guys are always there!!!

[Mothermark]

Joan, we musta been typing our comments at the same time. I posted mine and there you were! Thank you so much! For sending a card, the prayers and for sending an e-mail. Hopefully we can make a difference.

I hope you are having a great time on vacation! Drive, fly, or however you are travelling, SAFE!! Hugs!

[Kheila Kirwan]

I just sent an e-mail to the president and will get a card out to Dawn. I am heartsick as my sister's niece was paralyzed from the neck down and I know it is not an easy road. God bless Dawn and her family. I hope she gets a ton of cards and realizes how many are pulling for her.

[peggysue]

Oh, this breaks my heart.

I will be sending one tomorrow, when I can get to the post office for an airmail stamp. Big ((HUGS)) to you for organizing this and for this woman and her family. $10,000 a week . . . wowzers.

[Mothermark]

Originally Posted by Kheila Kirwan

I just sent an e-mail to the president and will get a card out to Dawn. I am heartsick as my sister's niece was paralyzed from the neck down and I know it is not an easy road. God bless Dawn and her family. I hope she gets a ton of cards and realizes how many are pulling for her.

So sorry to hear about your sister's niece! Its such a sad thing! Thank you so much for wanting to help here today! We appreciate it! You are always there!

[Mothermark]

Originally Posted by peggysue

Oh, this breaks my heart.

I will be sending one tomorrow, when I can get to the post office for an airmail stamp. Big ((HUGS)) to you for organizing this and for this woman and her family. $10,000 a week . . . wowzers.

Hi Peggysue! Thanks so much! I appreciate it and I know Pamela does too! It surely is heart breaking, and the the financial part is a double whammy! Hugs to you....my Steamboat buddy!

[tracim]

Cindy, thanks for letting us know about this sad story...I hope and pray that our prayers and cards of support make a difference for this woman right now!!
I will be sending a card when I get back!

[It'sjustme]

I was reading all the replies to this thread and had to stop for a brief moment to contain myself!! You woman are outstanding!! I just can't put into words how overwhelmed I am. I called my daughter and told her to go on the site just to see what amazing people there are here on SCS. She then called her Uncle (Dawn's Brother), and told him about the site also. The family and I can not express the gratitude for your thoughtfullness, well wishes and prayers!!! Thankyou Cindy, Linda, Lorraine, Judy, Sabrina, Julie, Joan, Kheila and Peggysue. Hugs to all of you!
Thank you and God Bless!!

[It'sjustme]

Traci , thankyou for your support for Dawn, I know for sure that everyones prayers and cards of support are definately making a difference. I am going to try to keep everyone informed about Dawns situation as I get the news myself. I will be talking to her brothers on Saturday and will be sure to post an update. Thankyou again for your prayers and well wishes.
Hugs,
Pamela

[jojot]

a bump for Dawn....and a card will be in the mail soon.....you have a BIG heart, Cindy...thanks for sharing this with us.....I have seen nothing on the local news here in CT.....????

[jennik]

Wow, what a story. I will be sending a card, and keeping Dawn in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennik

[LilLuvsStampin]

This story breaks my heart. I will never understand why bad things happen to good people. I would be happy to send Dawn a card.

I can't help but wonder though: if our government can give over a billion dollars each to the banks and auto companies to save them, it would seem plausible that they could shell out $140,000 to bring this woman, this U.S. soldier, who has served her country home where she can be surrounded by her loved ones.

[LilLuvsStampin]

I also wrote an e-mail to the President on Dawn's behalf.

[mtgchic]

Will be sending off a card. Pamela, know that Dawn and your family are in many thoughts and prayers.

[It'sjustme]

Joanne, thank you for sending a card to Dawn. I know that she is going to be overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. As for the story being on the news here in CT., It was on three of the major channels a few weeks back. If you go back up to Cindys first post, there is a link to WFSB, one of the stations with the story. Channel 8 will be covering more soon. There will be a benefit to try to raise more funds on July 11th in Bristol , and the news stations are supposed to be covering this as well. Thank you again!!
Hugs, Pamela

[It'sjustme]

Thank you Jenni, Charlene and Meg, You ladies are unbelievable!! Your cards and prayers are so much appreciated. Charlene, thank you also for sending the President a letter. We are hoping if enough people do show their concern to the government, it can't be ignored. I also want to clear something up, Dawn didn't serve in our military.... She was working for a private contractor, KBR, who the gov. hired. She was in Iraq for two yrs. helping with supplies for the troops and things like that.
Thank you again Ladies....
Hugs, Pamela

[gregzgurl]

Oh, my heart goes out to this woman! Thank you, Cindy, for making us aware! I'll add a link on my blog to spread the word, in addition to sending a card and an email to the president. Is there any contact information for the bank if people want to contribute monetarily, as well?

[gregzgurl]

The email is sent, the post is up on my blog, and a card is ready to be mailed out today. Thanks again for letting us know...

[cmsuto]

Thanks for letting us know, Cindy. What a tragic story! My heart breaks for Dawn and all who are trying to help her. I will definitely get a card in the mail right away. Meanwhile I will keep Dawn and all your family in my prayers, Pamela.

[HUTstamper]

What a very sad story! My email to the President has been sent and I'll shower her with cards as I have several that I have been holding onto for a special occasion. Thanks Cindy for your warm heart and RAK towards others.

Phyllis

[Mothermark]

OMG! I didn't get on this thread in a few hours and wow! So much has happened!

Traci - Thank you! Have a wonderful vacation and another wonderful visit to Steamboat! Just pm me when you are home! Thank you for always being there for card drives!

SnoSnot - You are always there for everyone! Thank you so much! Speaking of big hearts, thats YOU!!

JenniK! - You rock! Thank you so very much! Your prayers are appreciated too!

Bertie - I agree with you! Just one of those car exec's recent bonuses AFTER the bail-out would bring Dawn home. Its just not fair is it! Thank you so much for also always being there for everyone needing a lift!!!

Meg - Thank you from the bottom of my heart! We so appreciate your kind words and the card you will be sending! Thank you!

Sue - You went above and beyond! Posting it on your blog rocks! The more attention, the better! Thank you so much for being so passionate about helping! Hugs to you gf!!

Carla - What can I say....I don't think you have EVER not helped me out with a request! I love that about you! Thank you so very much!

Phyllis - Thank you so much too! The fact that you are here saying you will help shows us your big heart as well. Thank you so much!

Pamela - Thanks for answering all of the questions that I probably could not do as well as you! Your posts are heart warming as well! Hugs!

Hugs to you all!

[MariLynn]

My heart goes out to Dawn and her family. I can't imagine how scared she must be. To receive this terrible news of being paralized and then to be far from home and have to worry about the money. Talk about anxiety!! I will definitely send her cards. She will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you Cindy for bringing this to my attention!!

[bensarmom]

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I too will get a card out to this very brave woman so far away from home. Thanks Cindy for bringing this to our attention.
Praying for Dawn.

[K. Joy]

I'll try and get a card out for her today or tomorrow!

[beestamper]

Sending a card with love..
I don't even know how to respond to this.. unbelieveable...
Thanks for sharing this with the rest of us.

[flowergal36]

Finished my card today. Will get it in the mail and spread the word. I will keep Dawn in my thoughts and prayers...Thanks Cindy and Pamela for letting us know about this.

[Mothermark]

Marilynn! Thank you so much, for the card and your kind words.! You are so thoughtful! You my friend are such a great person! My Tuesday buddy!

Sue! OMG! Why didn't I think of that! Thank you so much for the postage information! Duh.....that will help immensely! My card to your mom is addressed and ready to go out in today's mail. I hope she is doing well.....and big thank YOU for being here! You are another that I don't think has ever NOT helped out when someone needs some *love*! Thank you!

K. Joy! Your names says it all! Your card will bring great Joy to Dawn. Thank you for that!

Bev! It is unbelievable isn't it! Thanks so much for poppin in here and sending some love Dawn's way! She will be thrilled to see one of your wonderful little cards!

Dawn! I love seeing your smiling face in your avatar and its no big surprise you would end up here with your big heart and generousity! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! My Tuesday buddy!

[Maureen Vollaro]

OMG! soo sad.... I am at work and supposed to be "working", yet I am glued to reading this post! I think I will send one of my "tea party" cards! I will work on it this weekend.... Thanks for letting us know!

[coffeestamper]

I am so sadden by this story and my thoughts and prayers are with the family. So sweet of you Cindy and pamela. to do this. I will get a card in the mail asap. hugs!

[icensheba]

I will get a card sent out either today or tomorrow...so much depends on whether or not I can get anything done with a 16 m.o. DGD here! My heart just goes out to this woman and her family! Thanks for sharing this with all of us!! You're awesome!!