Quarter Auction Fundraiser 11/11/13

The Officers & Members of the American Legion Post Family of Wicomico Post 64 and the Friends of Joan Pitts have teamed up to host a fund-raiser to benefit one of our members, Joan Pitts, as she continues her battle against cancer. Joan is a Past District President and has held several Offices and numerous Chairmanships within our organization. She has always assisted and participated in all programs and activities the American Legion Family has had.

We are planning a Quarter Auction on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013 at the Post Home. Quarter Auctions is a great way to raise funds for the cause and at the same time participants can win great prizes donated by businesses, vendors, Legion Family members and friends. In order to have a successful event we are asking you to please donate an item or two for the auction. The items will be auction off from 1 to 4 Quarters.

We would like to THANK YOU in advance for considering donating to our organization for raising funds for Joan. If you have any queries regarding our organization or the project itself, please feel free to contact Starr Purnell @ 443-235-3112 or at sapcmjustice@comcast.net .

Thank you,

The Committee of Support Joan Pitts

Dear Friends,

This email is to let you know of a fundraiser that some of the ladies at American Legion Post 64 is doing for one of 'our own'.

Her name is Joan Pitts and she is surviving throat cancer as we speak. She works for the Wicomico County School System with special needs children. She has held every office in our Auxiliary Unit as well as helps at the Legion with anything and everything that is asked of her. She is a widow and has no children (and I don't think she has any family members in this area and actually I think family members are just about non-existing).

A few weeks ago Joan finished up 35 radiation treatments for her throat cancer. Her esophagus became swollen and breathing became difficult. She has been in and out of PRMC with varying treatments but two weeks ago they admitted her to ICU. They were unable to get the throat swelling reduced so last Tuesday, October 8th, they did a tracheotomy. She is still not able to speak at this time because the swelling in her throat is still severe. I go visit her everyday because she is not only my friend but my mentor as well. Today we are hoping that she will go home. The nurses and therapist are saying what a 'miracle' she is because they have NEVER seen anyone go home from this type of procedure so quickly. Her doctor has told her that the trach will be present for at least the next 6 months and Wednesday when I was there he told her that she cannot work for the next 6 months and that it would be better if she did not work until the 2014-2015 school year. She has (or is in the process of) applied for short term disability and of course she did her FMLA papers at the onset of the cancer treatment, so that is covered.

I am in the process of acquiring her a cell phone where text messaging is unlimited. (She currently has a pre-paid Trac phone.)

All of this leads to this: We are having a Quarter Auction at Legion Post 64 (West Salisbury on 50 across from the National Guard Armory) on Monday, November 11th. (I believe the time will be 6:00 or 6:30) We will have food and bake sale items at the event. If you have never been to a Quarter Auction before, (just like me), or if you have been to one before, I ask you to come out to help support a person in financial need. The lady who is setting this up for us said that if we don't have enough people at the event then the vendors will just pack up and leave and we definitely don't want that to happen. If you can't attend but you have an item you would like to donate for the table I would be honored to accept any help you can give.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I thought with some history you would be more apt to help me with this.