Orlando's Eye Surgery Fund

I would like help in purchasing a new Babylock embroidery machine so I can continue to help the local High School ARJROTC and other area groups with their alteration, sewing, and embroidery needs.

I currently have a NON-WORKING Brother PC-8500 sewing and embroidery machine. This machine was made about 1998 and we purchased it used in 2008.  It was a great machine, but it is time to upgrade to the larger hoop size as well as having more room from the needle to the right of the machine head(you can do larger items like quilts).  My machine quit working in September of this year RIGHT AS I was working on a few of the uniforms for the AFJROTC.  Not only that, but my serger is on its last legs and it has become unreliable too.

Thankfully, someone has LOANED me their Brother PC-8200 (a sister machine the same age as mine), but I will have to give it back at some point and I will be left without a machine.

I have been looking at the Babylock machines for various reasons and I have decided that one of the following models would work and have the most room to the right of the needle.
Babylock Solaris (newest and of course happens to be the most expensive) 13 inches to the right of the needle.
Babylock Destiny II 11.25 inches to the right of the needle.
Babylock Unity  11.25 inches to the right of the needle.

A little about me and what I enjoy doing.
This past year I was hoping to save up a little more money to purchase a new machine since I had been warned that my computerized machine could just die one day due to it's age.  We have two children in college and car payments since we had to purchase a vehicle last year. We have had many "little" things pop up this year that had to be taken care of before a big purchase could even be thought of. You know: brakes(2 cars), tires(2 cars), surgery, root canals, and finding a used car for a daughter since the 17 year old one died. Stuff like that.

I enjoy crafting, sewing and helping people with things I can create, make, or do.  While my daughter's were in High School I was helping out with the E.A.S.T. program, Drama club and AFJROTC as well as other things for the school. MANY hours were spent helping in the concession stand during football games over the years.  I have been lucky enough to be able to help a leadership organization called Boys'and Girls' Brigade of Neenah, Wis. for one week every summer for the last 11 years at a girls camp.  I love to volunteer my time and crafting knowledge if it will reward the kids.  I also went through the leadership program as a 6th through 12th grader.  I would love to be able to help those groups with my sewing ability, but it is hard with the old equipment.  Also, as a volunteer you don't receive money to pay for new equipment.

I you have a little to give I would be very grateful.  I do have a Etsy (dot) com shop. Search for Merick42.