Becky Hedin - Memorial Fund

[Leon]

Hey Folks
IN speaking with Barry S. we feel a thread to help raise money for Becky's funeral expenses will be a good thing to help Bill in this time of need. IF anyone feels they would like to make a donation I will be taking them in my paypal account until this Tuesday, 9-18-2012. On 9-19-2012 I will be writing Bill a check for all monies donated plus a donation from me, of course. Please send any money to my paypal account, leonl@flash.net as a gift and I will make sure all of it gets to Bill asap. I will put a card in the envelope with everyone's name that contributed. If anyone wants to send anything otherwise Bill's address is below. That being said a lump sum might be a bit easier for Bill to deal with at this point in time. I want to offer my sincere condolences to Bill and family in this time of sorrow. Bill's address is:

Bill Hedin
3 Murray Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701

sincerely,
leon

[Jay Wolt]

Leon / Barry great idea!
Will send a payment to you this afternoon

[barrysloate]

Hey guys- Bill is going through a really terrible time right now and I know he can use a little help from his friends. If anybody can give a little something, by sending a gift through Leon, we can all help him with the funeral expenses. Please assist in any way you can. Bill is one of the truly good guys on this board and I am sure he will be grateful for anything we can do to make things a little easier for him. Thank you in advance to everyone on Net54.

Barry

[Dave1943]

Thanks Barry/Leon for the excellent idea. Gift forwarded to Leon.

[Matthew H]

Great idea Leon.

Helping out, even if it's just a little bit, I know goes a long way. I've dealt with 4 deaths over the last 5 years and having to worry about cost, while trying to cope, is hard to do.

I sent Bill a little something last night, I know a few others did too. I just sent you a little bit more. I had a little money floating around Paypal, which probably would have gone to another card I don't need. I encourage everyone to check their Paypal account, you might have a similar situation.

-Matt

$ sent Leon. I would also be willing to auction off a card or 2 for Bill. I know the board helped me very much with that type of deal when my daughter Kadence was diagnosed with Lekumemia last July. Any chances maybe we could get something like that again? Just a thought.

[Wite3]

$ sent...

Often in OBC when tragedy like this happens we have a benefit auction. We can either raise money for Bill's expenses or he can make a donation to a non-profit. Just an idea.

Joshua

[bbcard1]

I am on the road but will get a check out at one of my stops.

[Leon]

Thanks to everyone for helping Bill out so far. One other thing, I got a PM concerning the fact that one of our members doesn't use Paypal but wants to contribute with our group. I am happy to help facilitate that too. If that is the case just make a check, or money order, out to me and send it to me (address below) and I will include that full amount in my check to Bill on Wed.....Please PM or email me how much you will be sending (absolutely any amount will help) and I will include your name on the card and that amount in the check I write. To keep this in the spirit of generosity I will not be putting each amount a person donates in the correspondence to Bill. Each person helping is appreciated greatly for anything they can do. We have raised close to a thousand dollars already. I will update the board with the amount being sent to Bill when I do it. I am sure this will help Bill a lot. Our board, and everyone's kindness, never ceases to amaze me. You guys are the best.


In response to a few thoughts concerning an auction for a card to help etc.....I think in this instance lets just keep it simple with a donation and get Bill the money as soon as is being suggested. With a group this size, from experience, keeping things simple usually helps. The main thing is to help our board member in need and that is precisely what these donations are doing. Those suggestions are appreciated though and I understand they are meant with the utmost respect and caring in mind.




best regards


Leon Luckey
1065 Wendy Lane
Lucas TX 75002

[71buc]

Money sent, thanks for creating a means for the board to reach out and help.

[t206blogcom]

Money sent via PayPal

[Robextend]

Money sent via Paypal...thanks for coordinating this effort.

[AndyG09]

Barry and Leon,

Thank you very much for birthing this idea to help Bill. Funds sent.

Best,

Andy

[ethicsprof]

many thanks to barry and leon for doing this on the board's behalf.
my paypal is sent.

Barry

[barrysloate]

I also want to thank everyone who has helped out so far. We are a very tight community and I'm proud to say that we can help each other when the need is greatest. You never know when a tragedy may strike that will turn your world unexpectedly upside down. We all know we are doing a good deed for Bill.

[peterose4hof]

Money sent. Thanks to Leon and Barry for spearheading this effort. God bless you Bill!

[BradH]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Bill. Money sent.

[sreader3]

Thanks for arranging this. PayPal sent.

Scot Reader

[teetwoohsix]

Thank you Leon for doing this, it is very commendable of you. I will have something on the way as well. It is great when a community comes together to help another out, in a time of need. Thank you.

Sincerely, Clayton

*Edit to add- sorry Barry S.- meant to thank you as well !!!!

[Big Six]

PayPal sent...wish it was more...Matt

[gnaz01]

PayPal sent, Billy is a great man, have known him for 20+ years and my heart goes out to him.

[19cbb]

Leon, money sent via PayPal.
Thanks for coordinating the Memorial Fund and here's a +1 for Wite3's benefit auction idea.

Jimmy

[Rickyy]

Thanks for a great idea Leon and Barry!

Ricky Y

[GrayGhost]

I just lost a second job in five months yesterday, or I would send some PP money. If you have a benefit auction or something, I would try to send some type of item, if I could, tho my stuff is all cheapie.

My main point tho is the INCREDIBLE gesture that this is. I have loved this board since the day my friend told me about it. People pulling together as one family like this is amazing. God Bless all of you and To Bill and his family, MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES of course.

[daves_resale_shop]

Leon,

Money sent via paypal.

Although I didn't know Bill, his shows were my first exposure the this hobby... Always put on classy events, and ultimately created the foundation for my love of the hobby.

Bill, Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
-Dave

[pcoz]

Leon, money sent via paypal. Thanks!

[NATCARD]

I have been friends with Bill for over 30 years. I am very saddened to hear of his loss and know he will aprecdiate what this board is doing for him, JEFF W

[Leon]

I haven't communicated with Bill yet but I want to thank all of our members who have donated and prayed for him. I haven't counted the number of donations yet but there are probably 80+ with a total raised, as of right now, of $4020. I will be communicating with Bill and getting the check out asap. I might send a check before Wed and do a follow up if need be. That way we can get him the help as quick as possible. Everyone has been so generous it gives me a very warm feeling for our board. Our members are truly some of the best in the hobby.

ps...For the record there will never be a public list of those who donated. I don't feel it's right to make anyone feel obligated, or pressured, and that could make someone feel that way. However, as stated, I will put each donor's name in with the card and money I (we) send. thanks

[Buythatcard]

I don't know who Bill is but he sounds like he is well respected on this board. My donation has been sent.

My condolences to Bill and his family.

[pgellis]

Money sent via PayPal.

My condolences to Bill and his family. He has been in my thoughts a lot this weekend. I have never met Bill in person, but have had conversations on this board with him.

[ZernialFan]

Memorial donation sent. Condolences to Bill and his family.

[barrysloate]

That's great news Leon. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has stepped up to help one of our own.

[Peter W Thomas]

Leon, Money sent by paypal from linda and I

[7nohitter]

Over $4,000! This board, thanks to the members, is incredible. This amount of money will certainly ease some of Bill's financial stress.

[Tim Kindler]

It's awesome to see so many people give to a fellow board member in need. Like many others, I too, am short of cash right now, and I don't have a Paypal account, but I've come up with a way that I and someone else can help Bill. A couple of weeks ago, I bought a Mike Schmidt Rookie card off Bagger's Auction on a whim, and because at that time, I had $125 play money. I paid $123. with the BP included and the card has an approximate SMR value of $200 because it is an SGC 86/7.5 NM+. I want to do my part to help Bill out, so if you want the card for $100 even; (PRIVATE MESSAGE ME FIRST) I will sell it to the first person who sends $100 to Leon's Paypal account at leonl@flash.net as a gift. Please Private Message Me BEFORE you send the Paypal Gift so I don't have more than one person donating the $100 for the Schmidt card. I hope this is an ok way to do my part to help out Bill. Once the card is sold I will let everyone know right away.

########################CARD IS SOLD!!!!!!!!! DONATION OF $100 Sent to Bill on behalf of the buyer, Matt McCarthy/Big Six, and my donation of the card for the selling price. God Bless Bill and his family during this tough, trying time.###################
Thanks,
Tim Kindler

[emmygirl]

Hi Leon, money sent via paypal. Prayers continue for Bill and Family and friends.

[wrapperguy]

Great gesture by all involved. Money has been sent.

[GoldenAge50s]

This is a very kind & thoughful thing you are doing.

[JEFFV96MASTERS]

BECKY'S OBIT

POST / OPINION NO LONGER AVAILABLE

[mrvster]

Leon Barry and all the rest,

This is great helping one of our own in a time of need....sending you a check

Peace

Johnny

[soxinseven]

Money sent via Paypal.

[Tobacco&Gum]

So sorry for your loss.

Donation sent.

[Leon]

Hey Folks
Here is another quick update. I spoke with Bill on the phone a few minutes ago. He sounds as well as can be expected under the circumstances. He wants to express his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone for their donations and prayers. I let him know exactly what is going on with the check(s) I will be putting in the mail for him. The first one for $4601 will go out tomorrow. I have taken those funds out of my paypal and transferred them to my bank account for Bill. Since that time we have collected about $500 more and that money, and anything else that comes in, will go out in a 2nd check in 2-3 more days. I will update the board with how many of us (it's a bit over 100 right now) donated as well as the final amount, all totaled together. I hope no one feels obligated to do anything but a prayer for Bill and his family is certainly appreciated, along with all of the donations of course. I will un-sticky this message tomorrow evening......

One other thing, as the money has come in I have not thanked everyone individually. Suffice it to say everyone's generosity is appreciated and a bit overwhelming.

[mrvster]

Thank GOD we have someone like you to put this together.....keep up the good work and Barry and all others involved....I personally don't know Bill, but can not imagine what he is going through.....thanks for the update..


Peace

Johnny

[barrysloate]

I think we've all done a very good thing. Let's hope Bill can find the inner strength to deal with this.

[autograf]

One word.....WOW....great folks around here, Huh?

[Zach Wheat]

Leon,

Paypal donation sent. Hope in some small way our efforts help.

Z Wheat

[prewarsports]

It is nice to see the response Leon has gotten for Bill. With all the bad that goes on in our hobby, it is a really touching thing to see that in the midst of it all, the good guys do care about each other!

God bless Bill and all those in this community who had the means and the desire to help out!

Rhys

[deebro041]

I hope it's not too late to donate. Gift sent to Leon.
My condolences.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by prewarsports

It is nice to see the response Leon has gotten for Bill. With all the bad that goes on in our hobby, it is a really touching thing to see that in the midst of it all, the good guys do care about each other!

God bless Bill and all those in this community who had the means and the desire to help out!

Rhys

I appreciate all of the kind words but have to say it was really Barry Sloa.te's original idea on a phone call we had. I only helped facilitate it. Our board members are truly the best though. Bill is a great guy and I know this Fund and our prayers will help him a lot. I know he is extremely appreciative too. best regards