Here is a link to a new booklet we have put together that wraps up all the information about STAY in one spot. Barb Andreassen volunteered an entire afternoon to giving it the clean professional look it needed. Many thanks, Barb.

With the help of Robert M. Sides Music we will be graced by Kristin VanValin Ivers on piano during the art auction on October 4th at Farrington Place. I also want to thank Backwoods Experiment for sharing our event on Facebook. If you are on Facebook, please share the event and invite your friends. We really appreciate the support. Thanks

Putting the FUN in Fundraising

Stay from Ralph Wilson on Vimeo.

Here is the video we produced for a Kickstarter campaign. Although we did not meet our goal we did not loose our determination to complete the project. We are planning an evening of art and entertainment at Farrington Place, a classy new venue in Williamsport, to raise funds to meet our budget.
The owner, Eric Winters, is extremely committed to the message of our exhibit and is incredibly generous by opening his facility on October 4, 2013. Not only is he providing the space, he is providing so many things we would take for granted at an event. Tables, chairs, linen, glassware, a licensed bartender, insurance, utilities. . . It's easy to see how incredible it is to have all this handed to us.
Entertainment will begin with piano music provided by Robert M. Sides during a silent art auction from 5 to 7pm. It will be followed by an open mic session with performances by Mallory Scoppa, Doug McMinn and others. Backwoods Experiment will close out the evening playing until 11pm.
We are hammering out the details of the food and beverage providers but you won't go away thirsty or hungry.
The best part is . . .  you decide how much it's all worth by donating to the project. No advanced tickets, no cover charge, it's FREE. Let your conscience be your guide. Take it all in and consider how important the message is to be put on the public radar.
Check back as the plans are finalized. Can't wait to see you there.

You may also make tax deductible contributions to the Pajama Factory Center for Creativity earmarked for Stay.
Mail your check to:
Center for Creativity
1307 Park Ave, Box 12
Williamsport, PA 17701

Thanks
Ralph

I want to give a huge thank you to Mark and Susie Winkelman, The Pajama Factory and the Pajama Factory Center for Creativity. Without their help this project would not be possible. They ran a great write-up about the project in their newsletter this month. Check it out. http://www.pajamafactory.net/e/2013/jul_nl_web.html

Fundraising does not come easy for me but I do it because I feel a commitment to the Stay project.
This is an excerpt from Andrew Cohick’s journal. The goal of the Stay project is to let people know they are not alone and it’s ok to feel bad. Talk to someone about it. There is help.
We need your help so others don’t find these secrets later. Please consider supporting our project financially.

 

Andrew passed away after his suicide at 24 year old. He is just one of the voices of the Stay project.

 

Things are moving along with the Stay project. We have been making wardrobe choices and hadn’t thought it would be so hard to find the right look. We have it narrowed down but would be happy to hear and suggestions.

 

The image above was taken while trying to show different ways to depict self-loathing.

The Kickstarter is doing its thing but could use some help with people spreading the word. Three of us met this morning to start work on other fundraising ideas.

 

Please share this link with all your friends and ask them to do the same. We appreciate your help.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/691730222/stay-a-journey-from-desperation-to-hope?ref=home_location

It's has been awhile coming but the Kickstarter campaign has begun. We have already received some generous donations and heard from people who want to share their stories in written word. Thank you all so much.
A couple other sources of support have come forward and I will be following up next week.
It's wonderful to get the emails offering support and thanks for participating in a conversation that is long overdue.

I hope you can lend a hand. Thanks.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/691730222/stay-a-journey-from-desperation-to-hope?ref=home_location