I went to highschool with Niki and was heartbroken to hear what Ellie and her family have been going through. I will be praying for beautiful Ellie and that she gets her miracle.

Thank you Michelle and family!

Uncle Andrew

I wanted to let you know that AMFE has put a special Vikings jersey up for auction.  The Minnesota Vikings donated the jersey to Ellie’s cause and we’ve decided to place it on eBay.  I should have gotten this info out a little sooner, but there are still 2+ days left in the auction.

This jersey is a #6 away (white) jersey, signed by 5 players:

Front:
Adrian Peterson #28
Chester Taylor #29
Jimmy Kleisasser #40
Tarvaris Jackson #7

Back:
Jared Allen #69 (Thanks to Ellie’s Grampa Wes who stood in line at the MoA to obtain this extra autograph).

All signatures are in permanent white marker on the numbers.  Lot of photos on the eBay auction which can be found by clicking on this link!

This is your chance to get a very special commemorative of the 2008 Vikings’ powerful 1-2 rushing punch and their star defensive end Jared Allen. So check it out and tell your Purple Blooded friends - spread the word!

Take Care and God Bless,
Uncle Andrew

If you’re here you already know about Ellie’s battle with DIPG.  Now, I’d like you to meet Alexandria McBurnett, a fifth-grade Lonsdale girl fighting Myledysplastic Syndrome thought to be caused by her 2 1/2 years of treatments for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (this is one tough girl, here).  She is awaiting a bone-marrow transplant and has been waging her battle since November of 2005. Take a look at her CaringBridge website, and sign her guestbook.

There will be a school dance that will benefit these two girls from 7-8:30 PM this coming Friday, December 12th, 2008 at Eagle View Elementary School. The school is part of the New Prague district; directions can be found at the Eagle View website.

Please check out the flyer for this benefit which has a better description of Alexandria’s journey than I’ve provided here. The flyer can be found here, and the school rules for the dance can be found here.

So come on out, have a good time, and let’s dance!

Uncle Andrew

“God Bless You!”

I second that - thank you Gilbertsons for helping Ellie and her family, and God Bless You!

Uncle Andrew

Just a short note to thank everyone who dined at Applebee’s on Tuesday, December 2nd. It was a great turnout, and the restaurant was packed! I don’t know the totals, but I can’t imagine the benefit was anything but a smashing success judging by the number of people there. As I was hurrying Sam to the little boys’ room I couldn’t help but notice all the flyers on the tables.  What an awesome sight!

Special thanks to Cara Willaert for her role in spearheading this event and the Lakeville Applebee’s Staff for hosting the event and dealing with a packed house. I wasn’t that involved so if I’m missing someone feel free to send me a strongly-worded email.

God bless you all and Happy Holidays!

Uncle Andrew

The Applebee’s in Lakeville will be hosting a “Dining for Donations” event to help Ellie’s family on December 2nd, 2008.  They will donate 15% of your bill to the Ellie Willaert Benefit Fund.  All you have to do is show up for dinner between 4 P.M. and 9 P.M. and show the flyer to your server.  What flyer?  Why, the one at this link!

Please note: you MUST show the flyer to your server and mention that you are there to dine for Ellie!

So come on out and have a meal to benefit Ellie!

Lakeville Applebee’s
18404 Kenrick Ave.
Lakeville, MN 55044
(952) 892-1991
View Map

We pray for strength for your daughter and whole family during this difficult time. We’d like to make this donation in honor of our dear friend, Erica S.

Thank you to Rachel, Mark, Regan, and Jaden!

To Whom It May Concern:

We were sorry to hear about Ellie’s diagnosis of Brain Stem Glioma. We realize this is a difficult for her and her family. Perhaps we can make things a little easier financially with the enclosed Pipeliners Voluntary Fund check.

The Voluntary Fund is helping you according to its basic goal, to help our own in their time of dire need. This assistance is possible because there are members of Pipeliners Union 798 who care enough about the welfare of their Brothers and Sisters to contribute voluntarily to this Fund for that purpose.

With best wishes, we remain

Sincerely and fraternally,

Daniel C. Hendrix
Business Manager

David L. Barnett
Financial Secretary-Treasurer

Thank you to the Pipeliners Voluntary Fund!!

Dear Ellie:

From time to time we can all use a helping hand.  People In Business Care was established for that very reason.

The enclosed check…to you as financial assistance represents a helping hand to you at this time in your life.  All we would ask is that you extend a similar helping hand, whether it be a good deed or a gift of money when you see the need and are in a better position to provided it.

We wish you the very best.

God bless,

People In Business Care

Thank you to People In Business Care!!

We’re pulling for you Ellie! My kids held a “spa day” to raise funds for you and your family. They’ll be doing another one later this month. You’re getting lots of prayers from Inver Grove Heights!

Thank you to Amy’s Kids! (& Amy too!)

(And Uncle Andrew apologizes for the slow response on getting this Thank You up!)