SALSA GIVING SALSA-THON AIR AMBULANCE MARIA CLAUDIA HOME TO CHICAGO!

Laying in a hospital bed in Cuenca, Ecuador, with brain injuries suffered when struck by a hit and run driver as she was exiting the school bus at the end of her day at school, little eleven year old Maria Claudia Medina, the niece of one of our own Salseras, Diana Guillen, needs something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

This little Salsa dancer, a United States citizen that spent half of her life right here in the Logan Square area of Chicago, needs our help to get back to Chicago, to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where she can receive the finest medical care available anywhere in the world and hopefully recover.

Thanksgiving is upon us and we have the opportunity to share a tiny fraction of our great bounty with those that need our help the most. This Thanksgiving season, on Tuesday, November 21, 2006, at 9:00 pm, come together with Salsa dancers from throughout the Chicago and suburban areas who will be dancing in a “Salsa-Thon” to raise the funds necessary to bring Maria Claudia back to Chicago, by Air Ambulance, from the pledges made by the supporters of the dancers.

Let’s come together, give thanks for all that we have, and together, let’s give this little 11 year old Salsera, Maria Claudia, the FIRST thing she needs. The opportunity to possibly recover from her severe injuries and perhaps, one day, join us on the dance floor, We need more dancers, supporters pledge solicitors and people who are willing to lend a hand to help make this Thanksgiving a truly blessed day.

Hosting this Salsa Giving Salsa-Thon, to aid in the raising of funds for the benefit of this little girl, are Frank and Siri Morrone, the owners of BLU RAZZ, an upscale restaurant and club located at 558 Randall Road in South Elgin, Illinois,

The Salsa Giving Salsa-Thon organizer and renowned Salsa dancer, instructor and promoter, Jed Walker, of sultrysalsa.com, and his partner, Narce, together, known in the Chicagoland area as, "…….the most inspirational dance couple on the scene,……" will be the Masters of Ceremony throughout the evening, while encouraging the dancers, and perhaps even joining everyone on the floor for a few dances.

If you are willing to lend any assistance whatsoever, or provide media coverage of this event, please contact the event organizer, Jed Walker, by email at thebaron@sultrysalsa.com or call 630.251.3906.

100% of the pledges and any other support granted, including goods or services to be raffled and/or given as door prizes, plus a share of the event fees will be donated to the family of Maria Claudia Medina to be applied to the Air Ambulance costs. Everyone participating in the Salsa-Thon is an unpaid volunteer. Do not contact the organizer if you want any type of payment or compensation There is no promotional budget and no pledges will be expended on fund raising activities. Air Ambulance quotes and doctor’s statements will be available onsite for your inspection and review.

All contributions are to be made payable to: Maria Claudia Medina and may be mailed to: Maria Claudia Medina C/O Blu Razz 558 Randall Road, South Elgin, Illinois 60177.

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