As most of you know, Boofest runs a charity for someone in the archery community. This year, the recipient is Marissa Pearson from Eugene Oregon. Marissa is the wife of Levi Pearson and mother to their daughter of 2 years. Levi has worked for Bowtech for almost 11 years. He is the Marketing Programs Coordinator. So he helps staff shooters all over the world, contributing to the international archery community. Both Levi and Marissa are avid, outdoors people. They share a passion for the outdoors by camping, fishing, shooting, hiking and archery, taking their daughter along with them in their adventures. I've met Levi at this years ATA and from that and what I hear from the public's contact with him, I can say that he is a very nice man.
A few weeks prior to their 5th wedding anniversary, Marissa was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I'm sure that many of you know someone who has gone through this and know that with the stress and medical bills, their lives have been turned inside out. I personally lost one of my best friends to this vial disease, so this strikes a pretty sour note. Levi has taken leave from his job to take care of both their daughter Haley and Marissa.
Marissa struggles with the lack of energy and strength because of the treatments she is receiving but spends as much time with her family as she can. So with the burdening medical bills and lack of income we can make a difference for someone in the archery world. That is after all the reason for the Boofest Charity! The charity gives me the incentive to hold Boofest every year.
With that, the begging at business doors start for donations that will be available for draws. I will be bugging everyone I know in the archery business. Excalibur and Bowtech will be contributing bows and I will be knocking on the doors of another bow manufacturer. There will be lots of great prizes available for draws and if we can get someone from the US to act as proxy, we can have those draws available for people not attending Boofest from both sides of the border.
Last and very importantly, if anyone wants to donate money of any amount, however small and not enter a particular draw, you can send a check/cheque to me or through PayPal. I have a Paypal set up only for Boofest charities and the address is donkatsumi@gmail.com Checks/cheques should be made payable to Don Katsumi. My mailing address is 4635 Concession Rd 1, Newtonville, Ontario, Canada L1B 0E3 Whatever you can give will help in putting together a helping gift to this family. Also, if you would like to contribute an prize, that would be wonderful!
The charity has always been a great success and it really does act like an adhesive to bring us closer in a bid to help someone in the archery world. Let's all work together and make a difference!
Comments are welcome!
