Just last night my good friend posted a request for help with my childhood friend Mac Manu's funeral services. I know I can't make the funeral and I really wish I could. The only thing I thought of was to try and help the family. I have been on a mission to contact every company I can think of to ask of any donations. Here's what my request looked like:
I know this a reach and I'm not sure how I can ask of this request. But my childhood friend who was a tow truck driver has passed away on the job by a drunk driver. He left behind a wife and 3 beautiful kids. You may see the story by going to this link: http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-signal-hill-405-freeway-crash,0,1930745.story
It has come to my attention that the family is asking for assistance with his funeral services. Food, water etc. If your company would be so kind to donate anything to a family who will have to endure the holidays without their daddy, brother, husband, cousin and beloved friend anything is appreciated. Thank you for your time. God bless and Happy holidays!
So far I have contacted the following:
KFC, Church's Chicken, Popeyes, El pollo loco, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Langers Juice, Arrowhead Water, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Quaker Oats, Toys R us, Fisher Price, and I posted on all the coupon sites I joined via Facebook. Even posted a charity ad in KSL.com and Craigslist. If I can think of anything else of course I will try to do so.
I am glad to announce that I have gotten two responses so far. Here's the emails I got and my response:
Marleenna:
Thank you for reaching out to us on behalf of your friend, Faapuna "Mack" Manu and his family. I read the article and felt a rush of sadness for everyone involved. My heartfelt sympathies go out to all of you at this sad time in your lives.
That said, while we're unable to send a monetary donation of any kind, I did send a variety of gifts that I hope will be of help to Tarina and the children. I mailed them to the address you provided, which I'm assuming is yours, and they should arrive in about a week. Thank you for passing them on to Faapuna's family on behalf of the Quaker Oats family.
Thank you for being an amazing friend to this family, Marleenna. We hope the days ahead will bring them some peace and comfort, and we wish you and yours a Happy Holiday season.
Margie
Quaker Consumer Relations
A Division of PepsiCo
Ref# 028018329A
MY REPLY:
I f it wasn’t weird, I would have sent you a picture of myself. Because I look totally grateful. Well maybe not this very moment because I am crying but I can't tell you how much I am thankful. If you can pass along this message as I will surely rave about this please let all those involved in your company know how much this means to me and the entire family. Please have a blessed holiday. From The Manu Family, extended family and friends we say THANK YOU!
Hi Marleenna,
Thank you for contacting Frito-Lay. We are pleased to know that our company and snacks are of interest.
As you might expect, Frito-Lay receives a tremendous amount of product donation and sponsorship inquiries for many worthwhile causes. Although we would like to meet these requests, it is simply impossible for us to honor each one. We sincerely regret that we are unable to participate.
Thanks again for your interest in Frito-Lay.
Best regards,
James
Frito-Lay Consumer Relations
012246456A
My intentions is to help the family in any way I can. I understand my request was a lot to ask for so I expect to receive some emails like Frito-Lay to be sent. I received a call from someone that seen my ad and wanted to see if I was interested in a profitable fundraiser. I would need to see if anyone has time as it is 12/21/12. I also got another email from Subway just now to fill out a donation request form on line. I thought that was cool. Unfortunately the funeral is 12/21/12 and the form states it has to be within 30 days to request for a donation. Not sure if I should still ask as a funeral will never have that kind of notice. I'll see.
