Celebrate Marianne & Make Her Gallery Dream Come True!
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My name is Joanie Merriman; Marianne Merriman is my mother. This year she is 90!
To celebrate Marianne, her 90th Birthday and the phenomenal woman that she is, I am coordinating a SURPRISE gallery exhibition of her artwork!
This will be a once in a lifetime event and dream come true for Marianne! Something she would never expect to happen in her life. She has never been celebrated in this way!
Marianne’s story is exceptional, a truly inspiring success story! At 33, she freed herself from domestic abuse with five children ranging from infant to 12 years: three under the age of four. Never having worked or gone to school, she put herself through college, graduating cum laude, while working several jobs simultaneously to support her family. After many hard years, she got herself out of poverty and eventually at 48, against all odds, started her own financial planning practice. A successful practice that she ran for 33 years wherein she held amongst the highest client satisfaction rating in the country! Throughout her years as a financial advisor, she was asked to speak at many women’s conferences to tell her story of coming through struggle to success and inspire others. She finally retired at 81 years of age. She has suffered many setbacks along the way and soldiered through them all. Including the death of her daughter, Catherine, many health issues, and most recently a four-procedure open heart surgery that very nearly took her life. Now at 90, Marianne has quietly spent the last years doing what she loves, creating art! Artwork that nobody has ever seen! Those who know her know what a loving, creative, eclectic, spectacular person that she is!
I first thought of doing this after she survived her heart surgery but have been financially unable on my own. That said, she has many heart conditions that make us feel grateful for every day we have with her. So, this being her 90th year, I’m feeling that time is of the essence.
Therefore, as I am unable to do this alone, I’ve chosen GoFundMe to collectively fund this project. This makes this a community gift to Marianne; a celebration of her life while she is still here! What one person cannot do alone; a community can make happen! I will be proud when she is told that it was all her people who made this possible!
The gallery rental and exhibition installation alone, along with piece preparation and transportation will take up over 1/2 of the total goal. The remainder of the funds will go toward the event/party expenses such as catering, refreshments, staffing, setup, rentals, etc.
- The degree to which this is a grand event depends on the level of funds raised. The financial goal being requested is to produce this event in its highest form possible while still cutting costs.
- It is important to note that the goal requested reflects the extra costs that are associated with making this event a surprise!
- Come what may, this event is going forward!
- If you have any questions about how these funds will be used and why, please feel free to contact me. I want everyone to feel secure in how their contributions will be used.
This is more than a fundraiser; it shows a coming together of individuals to celebrate Marianne Merriman!
Your involvement not only provides support but also shows a heartwarming appreciation for Marianne. It extends beyond monetary value.
By donating to our GoFundMe, you’re collaborating with us to make a dream come true for a truly deserving human being! It’s a partnership where every contributor plays a vital role.
Join us in celebrating Marianne Merriman!
All contributions, big or small, more quickly bring us closer to our goal. I realize this is a large and expensive undertaking, but she is so deserving to have this experience in her life!
Please join in this effort by sharing our GoFundMe link with your friends and/or anyone you think might want to attend the exhibition. This would help us reach a wider audience and more quickly bring us closer to our goal.
Everyone will be invited to this event whether you are able to contribute or not. All are welcome!
Please note that even if you are not able to be in attendance personally, your participation in the fundraiser acts as your presence at the event! This cannot be understated!
SAVE THE DATE:
October 16 at 6pm
More details to follow!
As this date is coming up quickly, the goal is to acquire the funds by the end of September. So, your prompt response is met with extreme gratitude!!
VERY IMPORTANT:
PLEASE NOTE: This event is a SURPRISE!
Please help me keep it a SURPRISE!
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Most sincerely,
Joanie Merriman
Organizer
Joanie Merriman
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN