I'm sick of driving Steve fund
Donation protected
Ok Folks. It's time. Its Steve's time.
You have all been impacted by it. Every time you have wanted to hear some sweet sax and he has had to say "I am sorry but I cannot get there/get home from there". Every rehearsal you have had to plan around the bus schedule. Every time he has had to leave the fun early because I need to work the next morning and I was also his only way home.
Many of you have passed the pack mule that is Steve, loaded down with heavy instruments, walking down the street. Sweaty. Determined. He may have even refused an offer of a ride from you when you have pulled over for him (here is your chance for a kindness revenge).
He has worked hard to stay afloat while living in rural Massachusetts without a car, but being more or less immobile, hasn't been able to put away any savings in order to get his license back, much less get a vehicle. Steve is still $1000 from ending a nearly 5 year struggle to get around. He is without family local to help out with rides, or to stay with or help him buy a new shirt every once in a while. Yet there has been no talk about the holes in his one pair of shoes or making one pizza stretch for a week of meals.
But with your help, the lean times are almost over!
He is a Wisconsin native, and hasn't really seen his family much since he has been on our coast. Even less since he hasn't been able to afford a plane ticket. I would like us to be able to visit them at the end of the summer, and I would like to drive there, and I would like for Steve to pull up into his own driveway. This will happen the last week of August, so we have about a month to raise the funds and do the paperwork, get the plastic, you know.
I imagine the movie ending of his parents spilling out of the front door to hug him as he climbs out of the driver's seat, his cool sunglasses smooshing his mother's rosy Midwestern cheeks. Everyone is crying, dogs running around the yard through slow motion sprinklers.... Ok I am pulling on heartstrings a little bit. I want this for him. And it can be really easy if we all pitch in a little.
I firmly believe in earning one's way, and I wouldn't ask for money for "nothing" in return (we all already know that Steve's independence alone is rewarding for everyone).
Steve has talents beyond his superb sax, prodigious piano and charming clarinet. Yes, talents even beyond comedy nights at Bishops lounge. Steve is an aspiring calligraphy artist, and is pretty decent at it after a couple years of doodling around. Some of the donation options involve getting a pretty note, or having him copy a letter in script for your lover, mother/grandmother, soul brother or whatever you would like to dream up. He can write out your sheet music, like he does when he composes little songs for his students.
He is also available for private lessons in Sax, piano and clarinet. If he can teach a 6 year old and keep their attention, don’t worry, he can teach you too. Got an old piano that needs a little TLC? Steve's got the tools and the time and it will definitely sound better than when he started.
Any money that surpasses the goal will go toward a new Porsche…ahem…fine…a modestly priced Buick or some such…to further his independence and mobility. In the meantime we will be sharing my swamp chariot that is a Pontiac while he uses his newfound freedom to enhance his own financial situation.
Steve has lit up our worlds with his presence, his laughter, his respect, and the kindness he has shown everyone since landing here, and in this small way we can put him back on his feet (uh, wheels?) in no time.
Perk Stuff!
$10 Calligraphy perks: writing a love letter to partner, mom, grandma, your boss – you draft it and Steve will write it out on pretty paper for you. Indicate you would like this perk in your comment and we will reach out and discuss possibilities.
$25 private lessons. He has over 20 years of experience teaching, specializing in school aged children. If you indicate you would like this reward in the comments section, we will get in touch with you and discuss your individual need/desire.
$40 piano tuning. I know this is wicked low, I got quoted $125 once for a single hour of tuning our piano. But that was from a guy who did this for a living; Steve does it for friends and fam, and for fun.
$10 “Brang me back some Wisconsin cheese” donation. Indicate this as your choice with your donation, along with your preferred type of real Wisconsin cheese and we will bring it back from our road trip. (Examples: smoked chedder, 4 year aged chedder, ghost pepper jack - this is America's Dairyland!) For a $50 donation we can even bring you back some 14-year aged cheddar!
A donation of $1-$1000 with no specifications for perks in comments is an “I just love Steve” donation.
For every $1000 raised Steve will play Careless Whisper (or song of majority choosing) at place of majority choosing. Indicate your song and vote in a comment with each donation. More donations to upvote! A wonderful mix of humiliation and gratitude here folks. This one is set high because Steve’s going to want to do this one the least, and it is also the most gratifying to witness.
Way cool Campaign photo made by Woozy Kurtz!
You have all been impacted by it. Every time you have wanted to hear some sweet sax and he has had to say "I am sorry but I cannot get there/get home from there". Every rehearsal you have had to plan around the bus schedule. Every time he has had to leave the fun early because I need to work the next morning and I was also his only way home.
Many of you have passed the pack mule that is Steve, loaded down with heavy instruments, walking down the street. Sweaty. Determined. He may have even refused an offer of a ride from you when you have pulled over for him (here is your chance for a kindness revenge).
He has worked hard to stay afloat while living in rural Massachusetts without a car, but being more or less immobile, hasn't been able to put away any savings in order to get his license back, much less get a vehicle. Steve is still $1000 from ending a nearly 5 year struggle to get around. He is without family local to help out with rides, or to stay with or help him buy a new shirt every once in a while. Yet there has been no talk about the holes in his one pair of shoes or making one pizza stretch for a week of meals.
But with your help, the lean times are almost over!
He is a Wisconsin native, and hasn't really seen his family much since he has been on our coast. Even less since he hasn't been able to afford a plane ticket. I would like us to be able to visit them at the end of the summer, and I would like to drive there, and I would like for Steve to pull up into his own driveway. This will happen the last week of August, so we have about a month to raise the funds and do the paperwork, get the plastic, you know.
I imagine the movie ending of his parents spilling out of the front door to hug him as he climbs out of the driver's seat, his cool sunglasses smooshing his mother's rosy Midwestern cheeks. Everyone is crying, dogs running around the yard through slow motion sprinklers.... Ok I am pulling on heartstrings a little bit. I want this for him. And it can be really easy if we all pitch in a little.
I firmly believe in earning one's way, and I wouldn't ask for money for "nothing" in return (we all already know that Steve's independence alone is rewarding for everyone).
Steve has talents beyond his superb sax, prodigious piano and charming clarinet. Yes, talents even beyond comedy nights at Bishops lounge. Steve is an aspiring calligraphy artist, and is pretty decent at it after a couple years of doodling around. Some of the donation options involve getting a pretty note, or having him copy a letter in script for your lover, mother/grandmother, soul brother or whatever you would like to dream up. He can write out your sheet music, like he does when he composes little songs for his students.
He is also available for private lessons in Sax, piano and clarinet. If he can teach a 6 year old and keep their attention, don’t worry, he can teach you too. Got an old piano that needs a little TLC? Steve's got the tools and the time and it will definitely sound better than when he started.
Any money that surpasses the goal will go toward a new Porsche…ahem…fine…a modestly priced Buick or some such…to further his independence and mobility. In the meantime we will be sharing my swamp chariot that is a Pontiac while he uses his newfound freedom to enhance his own financial situation.
Steve has lit up our worlds with his presence, his laughter, his respect, and the kindness he has shown everyone since landing here, and in this small way we can put him back on his feet (uh, wheels?) in no time.
Perk Stuff!
$10 Calligraphy perks: writing a love letter to partner, mom, grandma, your boss – you draft it and Steve will write it out on pretty paper for you. Indicate you would like this perk in your comment and we will reach out and discuss possibilities.
$25 private lessons. He has over 20 years of experience teaching, specializing in school aged children. If you indicate you would like this reward in the comments section, we will get in touch with you and discuss your individual need/desire.
$40 piano tuning. I know this is wicked low, I got quoted $125 once for a single hour of tuning our piano. But that was from a guy who did this for a living; Steve does it for friends and fam, and for fun.
$10 “Brang me back some Wisconsin cheese” donation. Indicate this as your choice with your donation, along with your preferred type of real Wisconsin cheese and we will bring it back from our road trip. (Examples: smoked chedder, 4 year aged chedder, ghost pepper jack - this is America's Dairyland!) For a $50 donation we can even bring you back some 14-year aged cheddar!
A donation of $1-$1000 with no specifications for perks in comments is an “I just love Steve” donation.
For every $1000 raised Steve will play Careless Whisper (or song of majority choosing) at place of majority choosing. Indicate your song and vote in a comment with each donation. More donations to upvote! A wonderful mix of humiliation and gratitude here folks. This one is set high because Steve’s going to want to do this one the least, and it is also the most gratifying to witness.
Way cool Campaign photo made by Woozy Kurtz!
Fundraising team (2)
Ananda Natura
Organizer
Belchertown, MA
Steven Yarbro
Team member
