Pittsburgh Love, Dreams Don't Need to End
Donation protected
Goals:
- Half Goal: Correct a missed opportunity to fullfil a wish that wasn't completed at the con, the foundation is set. Special someone is involved.
- Full Goal: Give the family the opportunity to return to Anthrocon for 2023, as it's simply not in their budget for a family of 5 to fly, book Hotel, Registration. (Entire family fell in love with Pittsburgh and Anthrocon, and whole family wishes to return not just Lainey)
- Extra Above 10K: Anything greater is provided support to the family for medical expenses, supplies for Lainey to continue crafting (especially with her mother helping her sew). Having a means to work on projects while battling her illness helps set goals to strive for, to push past the bad days knowing we support her and future creations!
This is a fundraiser for Lainey (14) from Georgia with Cystic Fibrosis. She got an opportunity with MakeAWish to plan a trip anywhere (Germany, Hawaii, Japan) but she chose Pittsburgh, PA. To be here during one of the largest furry convention! She was joined with her two older brothers Liam and Logan, and Mother and Step -Father.
She was more excited to be here, though there was some hesitation on the others briefly until they got to experience the true spirit of Pittsburgh. She got to experience Furry with help from a Blue Fox liaison, who drove from Buffalo (City of Good Neighbors) to ensure she could have the best experience possible! Everything had to be kept on the down low despite over 26 news interviews over the weekend none were told. Attendance was unaware as to not overwhelm her.
By the end of the trip, she got to explore the Heinz Museum, Incline Railroad, but majority was spent in attendance of the worlds largest furcon. The family fell absolutely in love with how the city treated them, including the Furries!
Pizza Parma (Furry Land) took it upon themselves that they would comp all their meals for the entire weekend, and put them at the front of the line. They couldn't believe the generosity and care this city gave to them. The story went under the radar. There was an attempt to contact KDKA at the very end of the convention unfortunately due to circumstances it couldn't be completed as they wanted to express their love for the city of Pittsburgh.
Not only the love for the city, but that the brother wanted to make the city his destination for his graduation and the entire family wished they could come back every year to experience such a caring and compassionate town.
This is being created so that more of her dreams can come true, not just a single wish. Including an unfulfilled wish that simply didn't meet the criteria of MakeAWish. That this city's care and generosity doesn't need to stop there. That we can bring her more happiness than just meals but make her feel as she always is welcome and always be welcomed here.
Coming from the City of Good Neighbors (Buffalo) and attending visiting Pittsburgh over 10 consecutive years to see the Furries. I'm conjunction with Pittsburgh Furries see Pittsburgh as our amazing city and together wish to see this family get to return as she continues her battle!
Organizer
Steven M. Wann
Organizer
Buffalo, NY