Send Jewel to American Ballet Theatre

Posted on January 29, 2012 by elizabeth

I don’t normally do this kind of thing. But several of you have generously asked how you can help send Jewel to the American Ballet Theatre summer intensive. I want you to know how sniffy and teary-eyed and humbled this makes me feel. It is one of the singular joys of my life to write this blog and the fact that you care enough about me and my family to actually help with something like this? Well, “thank you” just doesn’t seem adequate. But I’ll say it anyway: thank you.

Here’s the deal: full tuition (including the Day Student Fee) is $1,900. There are no scholarships offered for this intensive. In order to reserve her spot, we need to make a $700 deposit by February 12th.  Jewel has already saved $500 of her own money to help pay her way–we’ll use her money for the Day Student Fee due on May 31st. So, I need to come up with $700 before February 12th and $700 more by May 1st.

To make fundraising easier, I’ve set up a donate button through Paypal. All donations will go directly to her tuition.

Click on this button to send a donation to Jewel’s American Ballet Theatre fund (and thank you SO MUCH!):

 

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  • P’s W

    is it local- or do you need tons more $$$ for hotels, travel, etc?

    • Anonymous

      It’s here in Orange County so I will be driving her there everyday. This will save us at least $1700 in room and board. Plus, no airfare so *phew*! :) Thanks for asking. Good question.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/VCHF5OPSF224VKM7WGGTPZQF5M Lisa

    How many hungry Bolivian children could that $1400 feed?  Ironic, isn’t it, that the donation button falls right beside the World Vision banner?

    • Linds

      Lisa, I’m glad you care about impoverished children, but there’s nothing wrong with her daughter doing ballet. She is obviously talented or else she never would have been able to get into a place like ABT. Her passion are talent are part of who God made her to be, so following that desire is good and beautiful.

      • Linds

        *that was supposed to say “passion AND talent” not “are” :)

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/VCHF5OPSF224VKM7WGGTPZQF5M Lisa

        I agree.  It’s a good a beautiful thing that this young lady can pursue her dreams and God given talent.  I don’t know though… it just seems to be a lot of money that could be put to better use.  I don’t mean their own money, of course, but rather any donated funds.

        • B.Rose

          Lisa, what if this was your OWN daughter? Wouldn’t you do whatever it took to help her achieve her dreams? Or would you tell her “Sorry, honey, Mommy’s got to take care of the rest of the world’s children before her own.”

          I think it’s pretty ridiculous to accuse E.E. of not doing everything she can to help children in Bolivia. The idea that her daughter’s ballet fund is somehow diverting from that is harmful thinking. We could argue all day about the absolute best use of other’s donations, but when it comes down to it I can’t see how your negative comments can do anything but hurt.

    • http://twitter.com/GuinevereRobin Guinevere

      I wonder what you’re spending money on that could go to needy children, Lisa. And I wonder what you’re spending money on that isn’t nearly as worthwhile as supporting a young girl’s dreams and talents, either. You don’t owe anyone your money, but why try to take away from those who want to give?

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/VCHF5OPSF224VKM7WGGTPZQF5M Lisa

        I’m spending my money on two foster children and four World Vision sponsors.  That leaves just enough for bills, gas, and a few groceries.  

    • Victoria

      Why would you use something Elizabeth is SO, so passionate about and turn it to a hurtful comment? As if she hasn’t done enough to help children around the world and committed time to going there, blogging about it, etc? I’m sure Elizabeth won’t say it due to the fact that  she is a kind woman, so I will say it for her- way to make a rude, ignorant comment in the midst of a joyous moment.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/VCHF5OPSF224VKM7WGGTPZQF5M Lisa

        I’m sorry, did you say she’s done *enough*?  There are children dying right now from preventable hunger.  Elizabeth has done wonderful and laudable work for world vision, but to say she’s done enough is laughable.  None of us have.

        • Linds

          We each give of what we can. I would ask that you don’t accuse EE of something when you don’t know how she appropriates her resources.   Please, please be careful, because are powerful and can be destructive.

          • Linds

            **”Words” are powerful. Apparently I’m having a bad typing night :)  

    • KatR

      Yes, that World Vision banner that has been and will remain on Elizabeth’s blog. Along with the posts documenting her trip to Bolivia, where she asked us repeatedly to give to World Vision.

      Congratulations, though. You’ve made yourself look righteous while being mean and petty about the ballerina dreams of a twelve year old. That’s talent.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/VCHF5OPSF224VKM7WGGTPZQF5M Lisa

    Elizabeth, I’m sorry.  I found out last week that a girl who I’ve been sponsoring for four years was raped and murdered.  I haven’t been handling it well.  Please delete my dumbass comments.

    • Anonymous

      Lisa: I forgive you. It looks like you’ve already deleted all your comments yourself. Thank you for doing that because my daughter has been reading the comments and if she’d seen yours, she would have been crushed.

      We all have bad days. I’ve certainly misspoken on many occasions. I’m very sorry for your loss. Please know you have my deepest sympathy.

      You must know, however, that it’s very rare that blog comments make me cry. But your words brought me to tears.

      There is nothing I’m more passionate about than the success and well-being of children. This is why I support World Vision and also why I support my own biological children. I have 3 World Vision children I sponsor and send them whatever extra gifts I can. My own 12 year old daughter has worked hard to fulfill her dream. We clean toilets to afford dance lessons. I do not buy fancy clothes. I coupon. I do everything in my power to live a life of compassion and generosity. For you to accuse me of somehow not doing enough—honestly, it struck so deeply. Children are my passion!

      If my daughter were not a skilled dancer, she would not have gotten into ABT. It’s extremely difficult to be accepted into ABT. I have never asked for donations for all the free material I write here on my blog. I give it away for free. This is the only time I’ve asked for donations–and it is for my daughter’s dream.

      I’m so sorry you lost a sponsored child. That’s a terrible tragedy. Thank you for caring for children. You very clearly have a mother’s heart. Please extend a bit of that heart to my own daughter.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/VCHF5OPSF224VKM7WGGTPZQF5M Lisa

        Thank you so much for this gracious reply.  I just don’t know what I was thinking.  I’ve just been mad at everyone and everything.  Blessings to you and your beautiful daughter.

        • Anonymous

          It’s OK. Grief makes us do crazy things. ((hugs)) Blessings to you as you continue your journey as a foster parent.

  • Mark S.

    Done

  • http://turquoisegates.blogspot.com Genevieve Thul@Turquoise Gates

    Wow. Just. Wow.

    Kudos to you AND your daughter. I’ve had to fight to keep my little girl dream of teaching college with my dad alive through many a monsoon of misguided Christian faith trying to douse out my fire.

  • http://twitter.com/mcqueenofhearts Jenny McQueen

    I hope you’ll keep us updated on how much is raised!

    • Mark S.

      Yes please…let us know.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, I will!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11018683 Elizabeth Larson-DiPippo

    Done! Congratulations Jewel!! The pictures your mom posts of you are so beautiful. I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Hopefully your mom will be able to post some video of you dancing.  Elizabeth, I just wanted so say thank you so much for this blog. It has been such a blessing to me over the last (very painful) year of my life.  Thank you for giving us the chance to give a little something back to help your beautiful daughter pursue her dreams.

  • http://savannahsweetness.blogspot.com/ Sarah

    Okay, I made my donation.  But, can my donation come with strings attached?  EE woudl you write frequent posts about Jewel’s experience this summer (so excited for her!), and a separate post about communicating with your World Vision child? 

    I just sent my child a birthday gift and that was hard enough to figure out.  I want to write her a letter but am struggling to know what to talk about.  I am in need of a tutorial on how to grow this long distance relationship.

    Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Im your soul sister in this part of the journey…my husband is out of work and my adult sons are unemployed with high medical bills and my daughter is a pointe dancer. Ive got it covered but its kind of painful. I asked my brother to buy her a new pair of Gaynor Mindens for Christmas (they really do last longer)