[karinka13]

FIRSTers,

We aren't asking for help because we're taking the easy way out. We're asking because we're truly desperate. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not the kind of person who ever asks for help, so this is a big deal.

Here's the whole story:

Our main sponsor was McNeil Pharmaceuticals. They always paid our registration fees, and we stay in contact with them and keep them informed. They informed us by email on Thursday (yes, this last Thursday) that they wouldn't be paying this year. We've already pre-registered, but I've been told that the money is due December 7th, this Thursday. That gives us one week's notice to raise $6000.

On top of this, we have a very small team, and only a few truly dedicated members. We simply don't have the people to get this kind of money in such short amount of time. And as much as I'd like to believe that I personally can go out and get tons of money in time, this simply isn't a reality. It's been very hard for the people who really care on the team to accept that we are in desperation. Most team members have given up. The school is already treating us like we no longer exist.

There are about three girls on the team still working as hard as they can to get sponsorships, myself and Alicia included. We've called and emailed as many companies as possible, and while we have some possible leads, it's hard for a company to approve a financial move like that on such short notice.

We honestly don't know what to do. We can't sit back and accept defeat, and we love FIRST much too much to not compete, and that's the reason we're asking for help. We don't even know what kind of help to ask for.

So please don't think we're just asking for money. We're not. We're asking for help of any kind, advice, anything. We wouldn't be if we didn't absolutely need it.


Karen Hart, President