In this Newsletter...We're proud to partner with microWINES and speaker, David Coleman, who was named ten-times National Speaker of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine, for our next event!

Let's Dance for the Heart of It!

Hooray for Hollywood was a success!

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Our upcoming Holiday Party

Tuesday, December 18, 2007  

Aubrey's Foundation hosts a Holiday Party for the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Heart Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  This is the most amazing event for the patients and their families because it's very difficult being in the hospital anytime of the year but especially around the holidays.  For two short hours, these families will forget that they are in the hospital.  We try to leave with them the best Christmas memories they can have.  We provide the families with a beautifully catered dinner, gifts, an awesome magic show by illusionist Phil Dalton and we also have mascots from the local teams to entertain everyone. In the end, all we really have are your memories and our pictures and so our goal for this Holiday Party is to make this the most memorable event we can so that these families will have their time spent in the hospital for the holidays be a favorite memory for the rest of their lives!

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Thank you from a Family that Aubrey's Foundation has helped

It's important for you to see how Aubrey's Foundation is affecting families...

Dear Nancy & Jerry,

We have received the generous grant and teddy bear from beautiful little Aubrey's Foundation.  It came at a time when once again Serena is at a low point in her roller coaster ride through life.  My tears started to fall immediately when I opened my mailbox and saw the package with Aubrey Rose's name on it.  My wife and I are overwhelmed by your kindness and compassion. 

The Dravet Syndrome that has devastated our daughter's life has taken its toll on our entire family -- our mental health, our physical health, our finances...  While only a cure could lift the entire burden, your generosity has removed a significant stressor from our life and we thank you for that.  From that first night overseas when we were turned away from two hospitals during a horrifying seizure that lasted an hour; to the first time I held my limp baby in my arms thinking that we had already lost her; to today which we have spent fighting to keep her fever down since even low fevers can take our angel away from us, this ordeal has consumed our days and nights. 

The last seven years have been filled with fear and heartbreak, yet Serena, like the lovely Aubrey Rose did for you, has taught us to smile even on days we feared would be her last.  When the pain of seeing our dear little one suffer seems to have driven us to the limit of what we can bear, it has always been Serena who has given us the strength to continue -- she often does it with a smile.  Her hugs are magic.  They lift us from the deepest sadness and while we remain in her small embrace, we are immune to heartache.  If only the hugs could come every day.

While Serena is still with us, we have lost so much.  The little girl who used to run across the living-room to the door yelling, "Daddy" and jumping into my arms, now only sits silently, drooling, seldom acknowledging my kisses  The little princess who used to say, "Mommy, I ove you (she never learned the "l" sound), has not even said, "Mom" in months.  Although we continue to grieve for these losses, we have learned to cherish all the beautiful things Serena still shares with us.  Our love for Serena, her brother and each other sustains us.  The love of extended family and friends and the compassion of wonderful strangers like you and your husband have given us additional strength.

Sorry, for writing too much.  This subject remains too emotional for me and it seems that I cannot control what I write once I start.  Thank you again for making life a little easier.  The grant is great, but the hope you give and the compassion you spread is the best.  Thank you..

With deep appreciation,

Serena's Dad

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Spencial days at H J Benken's Florist:
Benken's will always hold a special place in our hearts... Please visit their "Open House" and also their "Give Back to Rachel" event to help Mike and Kathy Benken's beautiful granddaughter

November 23rd - 25th
Our Annual Open House
Three days of post-Thanksgiving Day shopping. Wonderful gifts, unique ornaments, wreaths, garland, berries & twigs for indoor and outdoor decorating. Christmas trees, gorgous pottery, garden art and gifts, too many to name! Free hot chocolate, cider, cookies & breads...keep up your stamina for shopping!
Dates:Friday - Sunday, November 23rd - 25th
Times: Friday 9:00 a.m. -  6:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, November 30th
Give Back for Rachel Event
Shop on Friday anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and you'll also be donating to the Cincinnati Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
H.J. Benken donates 20% of the entire day's walk-in sales to the Society. Lots of unique gifts, all-day goodies to eat (wine & cheese after 5!). Shop in the evening and pick out your family's tree!
Date: Friday, November 30th
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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Foundation Wrap Up: Closing Notes

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

There is much to be thankful for this time of year.  We're thankful to have wonderful people such as yourself, who believes in what Aubrey's Foundation is trying to accomplish.  We're also thankful for the many volunteers who give so generously of their time and talent to help with our many events and programs that we host.  We're also very thankful for the many businesses who sponsor our different events and for the many individuals who graciously donate to our cause. Lastly, we are very thankful to be blessed with a huge family and many friends who make our life so rich!  We wish each of and every one of you a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love to you and your family!

Jerry, Nancy, Carly, Spencer and Saint Aubrey Hollenkamp

George and Nancy Frondorf, Aubrey's Grandparents

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