What Can You Do?

We've been very fortunate to be surrounded by so many people that love Amanda. Almost to a person, everyone has asked what they can do to assist and have loaned their talents (and assets!) where able. We try not to go to the well too often as we know that people have their own lives and families to care for, but we have a fun event this weekend that we'd like people to participate in where their pocketbooks will allow.

We are running a super bowl squares pool as a small fundraiser for Amanda. The cost of recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is staggering. We've found statistics that the cost can be in excess of $4 million due to the years of intensive therapy. (http://www.altelco.net/~jame/tbi/tbistats.htm) As of November alone, her medical costs were already in excess of a quarter million dollars. We're a "lucky" TBI support group in that our loved one has good insurance (they cover up to $2 million of medical costs). But, even now, insurance doesn't cover everything. With the start of the new year, the deductibles must be paid over again. (About $2,000) In addition, the house must be prepared for her homecoming with whatever safety feature her therapists deem necessary. A wheelchair, safety bars, and/or walkers may need to be purchased. (Don't even get us started on the cost of gas and what it does to Kurt's wallet as he makes the twice daily visits to the rehab facility). These items are not covered by insurance. This is where you come in (and get to have some fun!).

A dear friend Paul, is coordinating a pool for $50 a square (at a 100 squares, we expect it to raise about $5,000 which is 100 squares at $50 each). For those of you that don't really know how a squares pool works see the information below under "How a Squares Pool Works". We will pay out $100 per quarter for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters. The final score will pay out $1,000 - this means that if it go into overtime there will not be a payout for the score at the end of the 4th quarter; only the final score. In the case there are any unsold squares if those squares end up being winners the money will go to Amanda and Kurt. Of course if you win and want to donate the money back into the fund that is great. Just communicate that back to Paul when he sends the e-mail out to the winners. You will of course still have bragging rights. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Paul at paul.cook@serviceexperts.com and he will give you information on how sign up and pay.

How A Squares Pool Works
There are 100 squares in a 10 by 10 box. We have assigned the Pittsburgh Steelers the horizontal axis and the Seattle Seahawks the vertical axis. Each square is sold. Once the squares are all sold we will have Amanda pull numbers out of a hat randomly to assign the numbers 0 to 9 in the squares labeled numbers. She will do it once for each axis. Once all the numbers are assigned Paul will send out the final sheet to everyone that purchased a square. Since this will probably be on Saturday or Sunday make sure you give Paul an e-mail you can access over the weekend.

The payouts will be based on the score at the end of each period or the final score as noted above. If the score is Steelers 10 and Seattle 7 at the end of the 1st quarter then the person in square Steelers 0 and Seattle 7 would be the winner of the $100. This would be the same for each quarter and the final score. If this explanation is not clear enough contact Paul and he will explain further.

For those who participate, When you're screaming like an idiot this weekend for your favorite team, you can be secure in the knowledge that it's not because you're just a fair weather fan. You're doing it for Amanda. What could be better?