Thanks to the Office Staff At Dr. Bedingfield, Rosewell, Silver and Nourbash's Pediatric Office

Special Thanks to the office staff at our pediatrician's office for their generous donation to 4 Paws for Ability.  This enables Friends of Nathan Foundation to keep a little bit of their pledge to finish our fundraising and help another child in need.  I'm am so amazed at the generosity of everyone that Nate has touched.  Much love to everyone.

PHENOMENAL NEWS!!!!!

We have unofficially met our goal.  We had a meeting with two awesome board members from the Friends of Nathan Foundation.  Rather ironic considering the name, right?  They have agreed to finish out the last of our goal after we get the totals that are coming in this month.  We are so excited that we can celebrate Christmas and New Years knowing that I can ease up on the fundraising mission.  Ken will be happy too.  He informed me that he misses his wife... ha ha ha.  It's been a little over 2 months since we began our journey and all I can say is I couldn't have done it without YOU!!!  Everyone has stepped up to the plate and given it their all....    We have to wait for the totals to come in and then wait for the check from Friends of Nathan Foundation to come in and then we can be official.

We still have approximately $3500 to $4000 in travel expenses to raise as we will spend two weeks in Xenia Ohio once we have been assigned to a training class.  We are so excited and can't wait to start on our video to send to 4 paws depicting our lives for the trainers.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

The Friends of Nathan Foundation

We are up on the 4 Paws site

http://www.4pawsforability.org/dream.html#NateKothera

Christmas Fundraiser for Chicago Blackhawks Tickets Penthouse including dinner and drinks

Click here for more information and to bid on the tickets

Value: Priceless 
Donated By: Lexi Kazian Foundation
Description:
Get 2 tickets to Chicago Blackhawks penthouse suite for and help Nate get his therapy dog. Admission includes a food buffet, 4 hours of open premium bar, 2 desserts off the dessert cart and subject to availability- meet the Ice Crew and possibly a team Ambassador. This rare late season Friday night game is sure to be the perfect gift for that special person in your life! Doors open 1 1/2 hours before game time and beverages served until the end of the 3rd period.

Hawks vs. NY Rangers
7:30 game time (Doors Open at 6:00)

Special Thanks to Strategic Office Solutions

http://www.strategicofficesolutions.net/

We received a generous donation from Strategic Office Solutions and wanted to say thanks.  Check out their website if you need any help with your small business.  I know the owner and she is awesome!

New Total Today.....

We are soooooo close.  Our goal is to make it by Christmas.  Special thanks to Laurie Minarcik and her Doggie Holiday Photo Shoot.  After three different locations, donations and 1/2 of the proceeds from Agility at the Farm, she raised $2,250.  Thanks so much for putting your own cause Midwest Border Collie Rescue on the back burner and helping Nate and 4 Paws for Ability.

http://www.mwbcr.org

http://www.agilityatthefarm.com

New Total Coming Tomorrow

I have to wait for my IT person to update our thermometer....  thanks Laurie....  I can't wait to post this new total!!!!!

We are in the paper AGAIN!!!!

http://triblocal.com/schaumburg/community/stories/2011/11/pooch-pix-proceeds-to-purchase-boy’s-service-dog/

First Grant Approval = $1000. Thanks to Tyler's Touch!

Woke up to a great email from Tyler's touch.  They approved our grant for $1,000 and the check will go to 4 Paws in 7-10 days.   We are so excited to be that much closer to our monetary goal of $13,000 and to our calendar goal of Christmas!  I will be updating our total thermometer after I receive a total update from 4 Paws in the next couple of days.  

Nate's story is showing up in several local papers

http://www.kcchronicle.com/2011/11/24/haircuts-to-help-boy-with-medical-needs/aqxfxna/?page=1

http://geneva.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-help-4-paws-get-nate-his-dog

Special Thanks to Colleen Schramm at Olea Salon for the great news release that facilitated these stories!

Special Thanks to Stevens Design and K and M Printing

We were connected with a great graphic arts business who created our public awareness posters that we have used for several fundraising activities. (see below)  Steve Misewicz was so willing to help us and did the work quickly and free of charge.  We wanted to extend a special thank you to Steve and Stevens Design.  Thanks to Janet Stachula, one of my coworkers that introduced us to Steve.  

STEVENS DESIGN       p 630.289.0560      c 630.732.0560

http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemisewicz

Mike Grunewald at K and M Printing got us a great price for printing and made sure the job was done right! Thanks Mike!!!

http://www.kmprinting.com/

Thanks to The Lexie Kazian Foundation

When we first started the 4 Paws journey and decided to embark on the fundraising, my husband had read a tweet from Carcillo (aka Carbomb) from the Chicago Blackhawks.  He tweeted about an awesome foundation and I got online to check it out.  The foundation places therapy equipment with kids that need it.  (Walkers, wheelchairs, etc)  They have a lending closet and also accept applications for monetary grants to obtain equipment.  I thought to myself, hmmm.. wonder if a service dog would be considered "equipment".  I called the foundation and spoke to a very nice guy who happily stated that they indeed had assisted in obtaining a service dog.  I was thrilled.  Filled out the application last weekend on Sunday and by Monday got an awesome email from one of the founders of the foundation, Kris Kazian (Lexie's Dad).

"Thank you for applying for a grant. The committee will review your request over the first few weeks of December. Your grant was excellent and hope we can help in some way…

The other thing I would like to offer you, since you are connecting through us via a tweet from Carcillo and you told me your husband and son are HUGE fans, I would like to extend an invitation to join us (all 3 of you) in a Blackhawks Suite on December 21, 2011 (6:30 game- earlier than normal) as they play the Montreal Canadiens. Suite includes a parking pass, a dinner buffet, and open bar. 

We are so excited.  This will be Nate's first official Blackhawks game.  Ken was thrilled and couldn't believe that someone we didn't even know had given us such a special gift.

One other surprise from the foundation too...  Kris and I spoke the next day as he had an idea for another fundraiser for me.  The foundation donated two tickets to a Blackhawks game in March to be raffled off.   These tickets are also Suite Tickets with dinner and drinks included..

THANK YOU KRIS AND KRISTY KAZIAN AND THE LEXIE KAZIAN FOUNDATION!!!!  Can't wait to meet you guys in December.  What a special Christmas gift for us!

Nate's Christmas Photoshoot at The Agility Fun Run

Click here to view these pictures larger

We are hitting the newspaper!!

Spoke to a reporter from a Kane County newspaper last night.  She was so kind and really interested in Nate's story.  The lead came from Olea Salon and their fundraiser.  I'll keep everyone updated as to when the story is coming out.

Check out our total!!!

We now have a thermometer of success.  I did a total yesterday when I was getting ready to mail checks in that we have received from some very generous individuals and proceeds from Carson's Community Days and couldn't believe my eyes when I hit the = key...

We started just a little over a month... let's keep the momentum going so we can hit our goal and say Merry Christmas to you Nate!!!

Community Days Success!!

Carson's Community Days Update: I'm late in posting this, but last weekend was phenomenal!!! On Friday, Sue Kothera, Kim Pozniak, Candace Carney, Myself, and Donut stood guard at the door at Carson's Streets of Woodfield and sold our fannies off and collected donations in excess of $600. Hemi Pearson (aka Tracey) and Michelle Coupar stood at the Bergners in Rockford and took in around $125. Unbelieveable. It's over for now, but the next sale is in April... just in case!


Special Thanks to everyone who sold, bought, volunteered or passed the word.  Our next sale is in April.  I'm hoping we don't need it, but it's good to know it's there...

Do you Need a haircut??? Would you like to help Nate get his dog?

Olea Salon will be having a fundraiser to help Nate get his dog from now until Christmas. We will have 2 gift baskets that you can purchase tickets for and we will have a raffle December 

26th.

Or you can come in on December 17th I will be taking haircut appointments from 8- 4 pm 100% of the profit will be going to Nate.  Please call in advance for appointments as we anticipate the day filling quickly.  Thanks for your support!

Women’s Cut $40.00
Men’s Cut $30.00
Kid’s Cut $20.00

Olea Salon

1 N. River Lane

Geneva IL 60134

630-815-2190

Colleen Schramm

Agility at the Farm and Laurie Minarcik Rock!!

http://www.agilityatthefarm.com/

A big THANK YOU goes out to Agility at the Farm and Laurie Minarcik and crew.  AOF had a fun run on Sunday and Laurie and her crew took professional holiday photos of the dogs.  Laurie made $525, AOF donated 1/2 of their proceeds which is $200 and all of the wonderful participants put $110 in Nate's donation jar.  Laurie has two more photo shoots scheduled.  THANKS from the bottom of our hearts... Nate is getting closer to his goal of $13,000.

Aunt Tracey introducing us to the Agility Crowd!!

Impromptu speech about our cause.

Nate's cousin Hemi and Aunt Tracey

Nana and Nate trying to keep treats away from Hemi.

Nana and Hemi are now really good friends.  She fed him treats!

The photo crew hard at work!!  You guys are awesome!

How Can you help????

Through all of our medical nightmares, many people have asked, “How can we help?” We now need your help in this positive plan for Nate’s future. Will you help us obtain a service dog for Nate?

To make a tax deductible online donation, visit our Causes page:


http://www.causes.com/causes/636306-help-nate-kothera-get-a-down-syndrome-support-service-dog

You may also send a check payable to and mailed to:

Paws For Ability
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, OH 45385
****Be sure to write "In honor of Nate Kothera" on your check.

If you prefer not to mail it to the organization, I can do it for you as I mail in frequently to the organization. 

QUESTIONS?

Contact Tania Kothera

Email: 4pawsfornate@gmail.com

Please Help Nate Get His Service Dog!

Nate was born on June 5, 2005. One week later we found out he had Down Syndrome and embarked on a journey that would lead us down many unexpected pathways. November 2008 Nathan had his adenoids removed and he developed a severe neck/airway infection requiring a tracheostomy to be placed on December 22, 2008. He did well and on June 29th, 2009 his tracheostomy tube was removed. One week and one day after Nate's tracheostomy tube was removed, July 7th, he was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia B Cell).

With the Down Syndrome, history of a trach, and now cancer treatment, Nate’s speech is greatly delayed and he struggles socially and academically. Nate can be very spontaneous, bolting away from the safety of a parent or caregiver. He knows how to unlock household doors and frequently walks out of the house. Nate’s danger awareness does not exist and our fears are heightening as he grows older and becomes more independent.

Nate has been accepted by 4 Paws for Ability and a dog will be trained specific to Nate’s needs. The dog will be able to track him, ‘tether’ to him in public places to keep him safe, calm him by responding to his emotional needs, and connect with him socially.

Before a service dog is placed with Nate, our family needs to raise $13,000 for 4 Paws For Ability (a 501c3 non-profit agency) . This is just a fraction of the cost to raise and train a service dog. We are asking that if you or your loved ones make any kind of tax-deductible contributions throughout the year individually, through United Way campaigns at work, and/or through your business, please consider making them to 4 Paws For Ability “in honor of Nate Kothera.” Once all contributions in Nate’s honor total $13,000 training will begin with his dog.


Visit our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/4-Paws-for-Nate/222038097860996