Charlotte received so many cards and letters that we bought a special box just to keep them in. Charlotte decorated it today with her niece Rory and cousin Jazmin. She received an adorable set of drawings from a little boy and girl from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.
Charlotte received this beautiful handmade card from Carol in Wyoming. It was the first to go in her new card box!
Charlotte decorates her new box to take her cards & letters to the hospital with her. Her cousin Jazmin (left) and niece Rory (right) are helping her put the stickers on it.
Auntie Char with her niece, Rory.
The spaghetti dinner fundraiser last night was HUGELY successful, and we have been blessed to receive a sum in excess of $8000 from the fundraiser and through contributions received online and in the mail. We also received a number of cards and letters of encouragement!
There are very many people and local businesses to thank specifically — and we plan to thank them individually through the local paper next week and on this blog within a day or two.
In the midst of all of the excitement, no one in the Ponce family had a chance to take photos at the event! If we can track some down, we’ll be sure to add them here.
Thank you to WOOD-TV8, for sending cameraman Pete to cover the event, and for sharing the success of the night’s fundraiser on the news last night.
And, to the following news outlets for featuring Charlotte’s story:
We are going to keep the fundraising open for those who would like to give. In addition to travel expenses for Charlotte’s upcoming procedures, we will find a child psychologist to provide Charlotte with counseling during the restoration process and beyond, if needed. If you have any suggestions in the Muskegon/ Grand Haven area, please email healingcharlotte@gmail.com.
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, support and generosity.
Here are some of the photos of Charlotte from throughout the years. More to come.
Hope to see you at the benefit fundraiser tomorrow: https://www.facebook.com/events/106378402841196/
Baby Charlotte, before the attack. The only good ‘before’ photo we have of her.
Charlotte is approximately a year old in this photo. All healed from the injuries.
Charlotte, after her first surgery in March 2005.
Charlotte, with implants in her face that stretched her skin to use in grafts to remove scar tissue. She is almost 3 years old in this photo.
Charlotte, after surgeries to stretch her skin and remove some of the scar tissue on her face.
Charlotte, with her family. Father, Tim; Mother, Sharon; and Brother, Marshall.
Young Charlotte enjoys the carnival with her brother, Marshall.
The day has bittersweet memories, as they stopped a ride was on because a young child was terrified of Charlotte’s appearance.
Today, WOOD TV8 interviewed Charlotte and her family to talk about her past, upcoming surgery, and the benefit we’re hosting on Friday. Crystal Hilliard, the interviewer, and Larry, the cameraman, were so very warm and friendly that they were quickly able to make shy Charlotte at ease.
We were excited about the story, which was featured on the 5 O’Clock news segment, but completely floored when we went to the WOOD TV8 website and saw Charlotte’s smiling face on the home page!
You can watch the piece on Charlotte on the WOOD TV8 website.
Thank you, to all those who watched the segment and have written, posted, or donated to show your support. We hope to meet many of you on Friday at the Benefit: https://www.facebook.com/events/106378402841196/.
We hope you’ll enjoy this short video interview with Charlotte, filmed last week in her back yard. She talks about her interests, pets, and excitement over her upcoming surgery.
The support for Charlotte from the community has been overwhelming. Nearly all of the food has been donated, and many volunteers have stepped forward to provide help with preparing, serving and cleanup.
Local businesses have given generously toward the Silent Auction, which will have everything from entertainment (courtesy of Family Video), to hair styling and manicure services (courtesy of staff of Pompa Do’s Salon and Bath Haus), to floral arrangement gift certificates (courtesy of Flowers by Ray & Sharon) and Lia Sophia jewelry pieces (courtesy of Michelle Evans).
We will be sure to provide a more complete list of donors, both individual and corporate, and appreciate every effort to help with Charlotte’s upcoming procedures.
Please note that we’re also now providing a “family” dinner price of $25 for families with more than two children which would like to participate in the dinner and show their support for Charlotte and her family.
Charlotte’s surgery is fast approaching. Words of encouragement in cards, letters or postcards can be sent to Charlotte Ponce, PO Box 397, Fruitport, MI 49415. Thank you to all who have shown kindness and caring.
We are putting on a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Charlotte’s upcoming surgery.
Details on the event are published on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/106378402841196/
If you know for sure that you’re coming, please give us a heads up by Facebook or email healingcharlotte@gmail.com. We want to ensure we plan for enough food.
If you would like to help by volunteering, please comment or email. We also are planning to hold a silent auction and could use donations of new, mildly used items or gift certificates to local merchants.
We rented a new PO Box for Charlotte today! She could use lots of words of encouragement. Letters and postcards will mean so much! If you would like to write, please send to Charlotte Rose Ponce – PO Box 397 – Fruitport, MI 49415. Thank you!
