a little fundraising to start our annual drive right there in Seattle ! Thanks to the Krewe of Iris , an all-female Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans which also is the largest krewe with over 3500 members , we were able to raffle one ride for Iris Saturday this coming March 2 as part of the 2025 Season . And so as not to disappoint all those participants in the raffle , we were able to auction a second ride ! Thanks to the generosity of those in attendance , we raised $ 6900 to kick off our campaign . So , Trish Redmond , the auction winner and Lynn Tavenner , the raffle winner , will be joining Carrianne Balser , Janet Bostwick , Annette Jarvis and me for what we hope will be the ride of their lives . If you happen to be standing on the streets of New Orleans that day , be sure to holler to us , “ Throw me something , Miss !”
After that exciting start , we are back to our usual solicitation program . By now you should have received a few emails or calls about our fundraising . At this point I will share a little secret that I shared with the Fellows of the 5th Circuit when I used to head the drive for that circuit . The best way to avoid a long call with me is to give early ! Try it , I promise your billable time will not suffer .
Joking aside , I do like to take time to answer the ever-present question : “ What should I give ?” My answer really is always the same ; whatever you and your family think you should do . Each of us is at different junctures in our lives , and none of us can tell you what is right for you . Some Fellows employ the “ Give a Billable Hour ” guideline , while others join the 4-Figure Club and give at least $ 1000 . Last year many of the Fellows in the 11th Circuit decided to make an 1111 election and gave $ 1111 . And of course , many Fellows ignore these suggestions and give more or less than any of these guidelines . To help in your discernment , I encourage you to peruse our website - American College of Bankruptcy Foundation . There you will find listings of our grantees through the years as well as information for potential grantees about the grant opportunities available . We also have a page devoted to resources for consumers ranging from bankruptcy basics , to credit counseling help to links to various sites designed to help folks develop their financial fluency - Resources for Consumers | American College of Bankruptcy Foundation . And of course we have a handy link to donate - Donate | American College of Bankruptcy Foundation . Whatever you decide to do , we on the Board and the beneficiaries of our grants appreciate whatever you can do !
I can never talk or write about our work without thanking the people who make it possible . So , thanks to the entire Foundation Board for their hard work this year , especially Norm Pernick for his extraordinary
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