Fund Raising for a friend and fellow 1979 graduate - Myda Rejc

Hi Everyone,

It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since our very successful 30th grad reunion but here we are in 2011. Many of us will be turning 50 years old this year. Happy 50th Birthday to all of you. However, I am writing to you today with a less celebratory message.

I was contacted by Maria Freeman (nee Salaris) and Leila Nigro (nee Milan) recently and informed of our fellow 1979 graduate Myda Rejc's plight. Myda has lived in Las Vegas for the past 26 years and as many of you know Nevada and Las Vegas in particular has been devastated by the economic downturn in the United States over the past few years. According to the United States Bureau of Labour, Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area's unemployment rate is 14.9% compared to the national rate of 9.1% as of December 2010. www.bls.gov/web/metro/laummtrk.htm The foreclosure rate in Las Vegas is 5 times the national average.

Unfortunately, Myda and her family have recently become another victim of the poor economy in the United States. She has had to declare bankruptcy. The stress of the financial burden on Myda and her family has caused the break up of her long marriage. Myda has dedicated her life to her two boys Preston and Brandon, as a stay at home mom while helping her husband with his business. However, Myda's husband has chosen to leave all family and financial responsibilities to Myda; essentially abandoning Myda and her boys. Without her husband's financial or emotional support, Myda now has to find a job which won't be an easy task with the current economy, her absence from the work force while she was raising her boys as well as the repercussions of the bankruptcy on her credit report. As if that was not stressful enough, Myda has lost her home. Her house will be up for auction next week and she may need to vacate as soon as next weekend. Myda is currently relying on food stamps to support her kids but she doesn't qualify for housing support yet.

Unfortunately, Myda does not have a lot of family she can lean on. Her brothers have helped as much as they can, but they have health issues they are currently dealing with. As you can imagine this is a very tough transitional time for Myda. Myda's closest family - her girls from high school Maria, Leila and Teresa (nee Centanni) would like to help Myda during this transitional period by raising some funds for her to use towards rent for a few months until she can find a job. A very resourceful Myda has already lined up an interview with a cosmetic company. Best of luck on that interview Myda.

You can help in a couple of ways:

Maria and Leila are selling authentically Italian coffee by Terrelli Coffee www.terrellicoffee.com. All proceeds will go to a fund for Myda and her boys. Attached is an order form and a description of the coffees. The cost of the coffee is $15.00 per 340g bag for regular coffee and $20.00 per 340g bag for the Organic. All coffees are whole beans. See order form below for ordering information

Donations can also be made directly at any CIBC branch. Please send your donations to CIBC Account # 01800-5993083 in the name of Maria Freeman. We have opened a special account specifically for Myda in Maria's name – Maria’s husband works for CIBC, and setting up the account this way, avoids complications and delays, allows people from anywhere to deposit donations electronically or in person, and we will avoid any service charges – every penny collected will go directly to Myda

Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. Please share the coffee order with family and friends also. Thank you

Betty Tang (nee Lowe)