Fundraiser for ME!

Thirty years ago I took a vacation to New England. I thought I would like Vermont the most and looked forward to that part of the trip, but the first two days were to be in Maine. I landed in Boston in the early evening, got my rental car and headed up to Ogunquit, where I arrived well after dark on a cold, rainy night in May. The hotel sat on a rocky ledge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, which I had not seen in 15 years and hadn’t realized I missed. My room had a small balcony and, even though it was cold and damp, I left that door open all night so that I could hear and smell the ocean, which spoke to my soul in ways that I never expected and can’t be described. From that night on I was in love with Maine—not just the ocean but the interior sections of deep woods, mountains, rivers, lakes and streams—and it’s been my goal to move there. But, I am an average person living an average life and I fear I may never achieve my goal.

I’ve raised two children and I’m a grandmother. I started college when my son started high school, was still attending when he graduated four years later, was still attending when he graduated from college four years after that and, when he was in his second year of a doctorate program, I finally earned my degree. So, you see, I know how to set and achieve goals and, clearly, I don’t give up.

I have been employed full-time with the same company for 11 years and earn a decent rate of pay, but it merely covers my monthly expenses with nothing left to save. I am grateful for this secure income but it will never allow me to fulfill my heart’s desire. I am seeking a second, part-time job and I intend to save all of those earnings, which I estimate could be $3,000 - $4,000, depending on such variables as date of hire and rate of pay. I also intend to sell many items at yard sales, and could get an additional $500 - $1,000 that way. But even with all of this I need help to reach my goal.

In addition, I need to have some work done on my 1998 Jeep. I love this car and see no need to buy a newer model, plus I’ll certainly make use of the 4WD in Maine, but it needs rear-end work which has been quoted at $3,000.

In total, I estimate I will need $10,000 to cover the cost of car repairs, all moving expenses (a truck and helpers), gas/food, first/last month’s rent plus security deposit on a place to move into as well as 1-2 months cushion in case I can’t find a job right away. This sounds like a huge sum but I’ve done my homework and the math and this is realistic.

While this site allows me up to 120 days for my fundraiser, I’m setting my sights on April 1, 2014—my 56th birthday and eight months from today—as the deadline to have the money I need to make the move. Any donation you can make would be heartily appreciated and any amount will help. Could you, would you, help me get to ME?