Send LK to Archaeological Field School

Hello, my name is Laura Kathleen Redman and I am currently a full-time student at East Carolina University majoring in anthropology, with a concentration in archaeology, and minoring in geology.  I am also a mother to a wonderful three year old daughter with autism, Zoey Leigh. 

I've applied to attend a six-week field school, which will be held at the Town Creek Indian Mound (a North Carolina State Historic Site) from May 19, 2014 - June 24, 2014.  During this time, I will gain invaluable time and experience learning archaeological field methods for six credit hours which will count toward obtaining a certificate in Cultural Resources Management, which provides training for a career in applied archaeology, in addition to contributing to my B.A. in Anthropology.

While I attend field school at Town Creek for six weeks, my daughter will be in daycare five days per week while my husband continues to work full-time.  Town Creek is approximately three hours away from our home in Greenville, North Carolina; I will be away for six weeks but, fortunately, able to return home on the weekends to see my family. 

Unfortunately, I am ineligible to receive financial aid during the summer session because A) federal loans are only options during the Fall/Spring semesters and B) my university ran out of grant money long before they processed my application to receive it.  :(  What this means for me is a tuition bill of $1,609.50, plus whatever costs I incur for food, transportation, and lodging, which must be paid out of pocket before I can attend field school.  Money is tight for our family, as it is for many families these days, but it is particularly difficult for us to devote money to dreams when I've got to pay for my daughter's therapies and orthotics out of pocket over the summer. 

...This is the part where I play sad Sarah McLachlan music and post photos of myself making big, pleading eyes...

Throughout the last 10 years, I've attached my name to several wonderful causes and fundraisers.  I've put forth hours of energy to help various individuals, their families, and other organizations meet their goals.  At my family's insistence, now is the time I hope that others will help me accomplish one of my biggest goals: to attend field school. 

I know crowdfunding is a long shot, but any amount would be tremendously helpful.  What I can offer in return is my eternal gratitude, a handful of tangible ways I can show my thanks, and the warm fuzzy feeling you'll get from knowing you've helped launch me on the path to a career in archaeology.  Additionally, I will be running a blog from field school, with regular entries and video logs, so you can see where your money has gone. 

Though any donation, of any amount, would be appreciated, I've used GoFundMe to designate five "levels" of rewards for donations of $5 or more.  This means that, in addition to whatever reward you receive for your maximum donation, you'll also receive the rewards for the tier below it (e.g. someone donating to the $100 "Golden Trowel" tier will have their name published in the "thank yous" of my future publications in addition to receiving a souvenir from Town Creek Indian Mound gift shop, a handwritten postcard from field school, and a handwritten thank you note -- as well as 4 entries to win one of three t-shirts, which will happen at the end of field school).    

I came to East Carolina University with dreams and possibilities that have grown bigger than I could have ever imagined.  Attending field school is an honor to represent my University and an amazing opportunity to help launch my eventual career in archaeology, which will allow me to provide a better future for my daughter than I could provide without my degree or CRM certification.  It is with a humble heart that I'm asking you to please consider helping me get to field school this summer.