Soaring
August 2024
Remembering a Made in the Shade Champion
Growth * Respect * Choice * Integrity * Fellowship * Learning
by Darolyn Gray
Many of you will remember seeing Michelle from Sheridan House at our Made in the Shade events. I got a lump in my throat passing by her brick in our memorial garden this week, as this was always Michelle’s season to shine. Until her passing in 2022, she was a tireless advocate for Wingspan and spent the summer months leading up to our fall event gathering donations for her house. She carried the Made in the Shade brochure with her everywhere, along with a supply of donation envelopes. She had a short elevator speech about what was on the wish list for Sheridan house—a new refrigerator one year—and she reached out to neighbors, friends and family, her church, her regular customers at Arby’s and others. Michelle was a fearless fundraiser. She’d call me every morning, and as soon as I answered, she would exclaim, “Do you want good news?” She’d tell me about her recent success, I’d do a quick calculation and let her know how much money she had raised. Her self-affirmation in response was always, “I’m doing good!” and I would respond with, “Actually, you are doing GREAT!” I still miss those phone calls. Michelle’s goal was to raise more than the prior year, and she always achieved it. Donations came in all sizes, and she was grateful for each one. In 2021, her last full year of campaigning for Made in the Shade, Michelle raised nearly $2,000 from 52 donors. Currently, one of our fearless fundraisers is Angela from Skycroft House. So far this summer, Angela has collected over $800 for Skycroft House from over 50 donors. What Michelle and Angela affirm is that the number one reason people give is because they are asked. Today, on behalf of all those we serve at Wingspan, we’re asking YOU to give to this year’s event. If not today, we are grateful for any gift… any day of the year. Thank you so very much for your generosity!
Empowering Abilities. Nurturing Spirits. Caring for Life.