Putting the “hope” back in “hopeful.”

Okay, here it goes. Well, I started out living with a happy family. Or so I thought. I recently found out my mother was practically cheating on my father while my brother and I were just kids. After lots of fighting, my mother decided it was time for a divorce. That was a year and a half ago. Since then, I've lived a tortured year with my mother but now live with my dad. Also since then, my dad has found a girlfriend. It's been about four months and I haven't met her yet. She lives in Georgia and my dad visits her every now and then. As a little "get together", we want to go to Vans Warped Tour. My dad has never been and would love to. As would I and my best friend. I would also love to meet my dad's girlfriend. I have been trying to find lots of ways to raise money for this, money to pay for gas for my dad's girlfriend to come down here and go back, gas to get to the tour, money for tickets, food, etc. I haven't been successful. I'm greatly hoping this will help. I'm very happy for my dad but I hate hearing him on the phone with his girlfriend, saying "I love you," when I don't even know her.

Now as for my best friend. She wants to be a fashion designer and her mom, being her mom, ignores her pleas for help following her dream. She already makes clothes, without a sewing machine, which is very difficult on her part and is trying to make us clothes to wear to school. Neither of us have many clothes at all with next to no money for shopping. With this fundraiser I'm hoping to buy her a sewing machine so she can follow her dream. Also so we have more clothes to wear. As I write this, I realize how silly it is. I have nothing to give in reward and my story isn't that traumatizing. Hopefully I can make at least some money off this.

With this money, I'll be able to: 1. Meet my father's girlfriend. 2. Get to know her. 3. Have rare fun. 4. Help my friend follow her dream. 5. Get much needed clothes for school. Possibly lots of other things as well, depending on how much money is provided.