A Fundraiser for the Parkinson's & Movement Disorder Foundation

"No Show Fundraiser"

Dear Friends of PMDF,

This is the time of year when the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Foundation has traditionally announced plans for our annual fundraiser. The primary purpose of this occasion is to raise money to support research for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, while enjoying an evening of dining, dancing and the company of friends and family.

Over the years there have been memorable PMDF fundraisers. Many of you enjoyed last year’s wonderful fundraiser at Astor’s Classic Car Museum in Anaheim as well as “A Royal Affair,” our 2006 casino night at the Hyatt Regency near Disneyland. Earlier casino nights held at the Performing Arts and Event Center in historic downtown Santa Ana and for several years at the Irvine Marriott were also memorable occasions.

All in all, PMDF has raised over $350,000 over the past six years from our annual fundraising programs, including the annual fundraiser gala, providing much

needed funding for research projects here in Southern California and elsewhere in the United States.

A Different Approach to Fundraising for 2008

This year the PMDF board has decided on a different approach to our annual fundraiser and we hope we can count on you for your support.

Here are the reasons behind the change and how the new approach will work.

Given the rising cost of gasoline and the overall economic doldrums in general, we realize that most everyone is financially strapped and more limited than in prior years in discretionary income. It’s a reality that is being experienced by nonprofit organizations such as PMDF across the country, not only in Southern California. Donations are lower this year and fundraising galas are not as successful at raising money as they have been in recent years. PMDF plans on having future fundraisers like the many successful ones we had in the past and come up with other ideas for fundraiser.

We are trying this new approach just for this year.

We have decided to hold a “2008 No Show Fundraiser.”

2008 No Show Fundraiser

Just recently we received a total gift of $5,000 from several of our generous, long-time PMDF supporters, which we are establishing as a matching grant for our “2008 No Show Fundraiser.”

We are asking you NOT to fill your car with expensive gas to drive to a fundraiser this year. We are also asking that you NOT purchase a gala ticket at $100 or more. In turn, we will not spend precious funds on invitation printing and postage or fancy cuisine, hotel ballroom rentals and entertainment.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS THAT YOU WRITE A CHECK TO PMDF TO HELP US NOT ONLY MATCH BUT EXCEED THE GENEROUS GRANT

WE HAVE RECEIVED!

Please consider the amount of money you would normally earmark for the PMDF annual fundraiser and devote that full amount (and more, if you are able) to fully support research for Parkinson’s and movement disorders.  It’s as easy as writing a check, and putting it in the mail. You'll receive not only a full tax deduction for the amount (rather than a partial amount from a fundraiser event) but also the satisfaction that you are making important Parkinson’s and movement disorders research projects possible!
It’s that simple.

More Support for Deserving Researchers

Elsewhere in the newsletter you have read about the research grants funded by the 2007 PMDF fundraiser. The two researchers we funded from the money raised by last year’s fundraiser represent new generations of researchers who are being mentored by some of the most talented, seasoned researchers in the fields of Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. This is extremely important in sustaining the many important research projects underway.

This past year we received an unprecedented number of proposals requesting funding. Out of the 10 very worthwhile proposals we received and reviewed, we were only able to fund two of them due to the amount of funding we raised. As board members, we agonized over the decisions we had to make in selecting the award recipients. We wished we had more funding to provide more support to these deserving candidates.

This year we are proposing that we DOUBLE the amount of money that we raise—an increase from $10,000 to $20,000 so that we can be more generous with our grants to these talented researchers. And with the initial matching grant in place, providing a solid foundation, we think that we can reach out goal.

We ask you to be generous this year with your “2008 No Show Fundraiser” donation. Consider this your invitation to do YOUR part.

On behalf of all of the research teams in need of your support, I thank you!

Best regards,

Linda Sonnonstine
PMDF President

PAST EVENT

A Fundraiser for the Parkinson's & Movement Disorder Foundation

"A Celebration of American Classics"

 was hosted at the

Astor Classics Event Center,

in Anaheim, California

on

Saturday, September 29, 2007

CLICK HERE TO VIEW INFORMATION ON AUCTION ITEMS AND INFORMATION ON OUR SPONSORS

We would like to thank the following people and companies for their contributions and support.

Justin Aquines

Sandra Allen In Honor of Mary Elizabeth Hall

Barbara Baker-Ayares

Donna and Mike  Ball

Stacey Zee Brettin and Ron Brettin In Memory of Jessie Zgleszewski and John Dorhan

Camino Real Playhouse

Gary and Audrey Carson

Celestron Corporation

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Mary Ann Chapman

Jon Cicchetti

J.B.  Crowell

Michael Dao, MD

Bonnie Dass

D. De Francisco

Marit De Vito

Family Choice Medical Group

Marcia Fielder

Nancy Fix

Marianne Foust

James Fujimoto

Robert and Diane Gin

Ken and Jeanette Garrison

Gary and Audrey Gouch

Grand Garden Restaurant

Elsie Guerrero

Lorraine Gyulay

Gordon Hinsdale

Hi-Time Wine Cellars

Tuyen Hoang

Hof's Hut Restaurant and Bakery

Lynn Huang

Victor Ilagan

Jack's Discount Cigars and Cigarettes

Raymond Jacobson

Jon Donaire Desserts

Barbara Mars

Sharon Melody

Meyer Corporation

Margery Moniz

Ruby Netzley

Timothy L. Neufeld

Pala Casino Spa and Resort

Peet's Coffee and Tea

Bruce and Johni   Pittenger

Real Mex Restaurants

Marjorie Rivingston

Jean Roberts

Rowley Portraiture/Bradford Renaissance Portraiture

James and Jenine Ruetz

Norma Schoeneman

Stater Brothers

Linda Sonnonstine In Honor of Mary Elizabeth Hall

The SPA, Spa and Fitness Club

Amanda Stratton

Trader Joe's

Dr. Daniel Truong

Diane Truong

John Ulman

Universal Studios

Janice Verity

VocoPro

Wachovia Bank

Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill

Yoga Pro

Don Yoshikawa