Happy Holidays Everyone,
To mark the occasion of our 40th year anniversary this past July, I was asked by our team to write the cover letter to this year’s annual appeals letter. I was very happy to jump in. It has been quite a while since I did this last, but man, have I written countless fundraising letters over the years to not only get Why Me off the ground, but also to keep us going and growing so we could offer more services to our families each year. Well, we’ve done it again this current fiscal year! We’re adding new services, expanding existing services -such as bereavement support, all the while maintaining our very large facility – Sherry’s House, that the families quite often refer to as Home! Issac, whose been in treatment and staying in Boston for the last few months, was recently able to visit – as he took a step into the house, he took a big breath and let out, “ahhh, I’m home”.
For all of you reading this letter right now, along with many others in the community over the past forty years, you have stepped up both financially and non-financially to help us reach this 40-year milestone. Please celebrate with us by taking a moment to think about all the children and families you’ve allowed us to provide comfort and care over that time- period! You should feel great about that!
Try to imagine the emotional and financial despair our 1,000 plus families would have faced alone, if Why Me wasn’t there. I was reminded today when talking with one of our team members, on how thankful and appreciative the families are. As one mom told her “There is no way I could ever repay you for everything Why Me has done for me and my family. Your support has allowed me to just focus on taking care of my child”. Heartwarming and at times heart breaking. I am so very thankful to have had your support in helping us provide these critical services and in growing Why Me to what it is today. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we are very blessed to have had your support!
And yes, I’m writing again now to respectfully ask for more. As stated above, there’s more for us to do and I’m looking to you to make as generous a donation as you can. Please read through this year’s appeals brochure and take note of the varied individual services we provide, some of the families experiences etc. If something new comes up, we’re quick to react to finding a solution. We are hands-on for each of our Why Me families. I urge you to browse our website and look at all the services, activities, and fun family events we currently provide the families with. To me, this expansive list of services is so very heart warming. In 1985 I had no idea what Why Me would be. It was nothing more than a 13-year old’s (my daughter Sherry) desire to help other children and families fighting through childhood cancer. We had no funding, most expenses were paid out of pocket by individuals, and it was run by a few volunteers whose life was turned upside down when they heard the devastating words; Your Child Has Cancer! {continued other side}
Those words are no words a parent ever wants to hear. But it’s those words that have driven our mission of providing love, comfort and care for those families fighting through this devastating upside-down time in their lives. It has been a comfort for us to be there for the families knowing that they are not alone. In the beginning, Why Me focused on just that. Giving the parents an opportunity to see their child enjoying themselves by providing smiles and fun adventures (limo ride to McDonalds, Cape excursions – ‘no rules on Cape Cod’, fishing, Chucky Cheese) – an escape from the hospitals, doctors, nurses, needles etc. – ‘letting kids be kids’ again.
As the years went by, the number of families we helped continually increased as did their individual needs. We built our foundation of concentrating on the small things that make a big difference in the families’ lives, and with your help we have continually added to that, to meet the increasing demands of new diagnoses and family needs. In fact, each year we challenge ourselves with what else we can do to make the families’ lives a little less stressful. And to that end, for this current fiscal year, the Board of Directors in this September’s Board meeting approved a recommendation made by the team in this year’s challenge; to provide financial assistance to families who have a child newly diagnosed with cancer. At this time, parents have so many emotional questions they need to work through regarding their child’s diagnosis, medical treatment, time-off/work concerns, sibling care etc., that immediate financial worries shouldn’t be one of their primary focuses. The parent’s financial concerns should be secondary, so they can focus on what matters most: caring for their child and families.
Just as important as our individual services and assistance are, we at the same time also must ensure that Sherry’s House is well maintained and be a warm and comfortable escape for our families and for some -Home. Many of our services flow through the house. It takes a capital expenditure budget to do this and this past fiscal year ending July 31, 2025, we spent $163,000. This is over and above our normal annual repairs and maintenance expenses. This current fiscal year we are already anticipating $50,000, at least, in additional capital expenditures.
I sincerely hope that I can count on every one of you who receive this package to donate something. Of course, the larger the better, but no amount is too small. Please make your tax-deductible checks payable to Why Me and send them Why Me c/o Annual Appeal to 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester MA 01602 or go use our website to make a secure contribution, here. Please note Annual Appeal in the comments section. While you’re at it, I’d love to hear from you. Please drop me a line and enclose it with your check.
Thanking you in advance for your generosity and believing in our cause. I know there are many worthy causes in need of support, and we don’t take your generosity lightly. Please know that the assistance you help us provide is priceless to our Why Me families.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Peace and Light,
Terry Shepherd, Co-Founder and Chairman
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