or delete from it.

I just now saw this and want to add my name. Do I go to the other link? Kay

2 comments

by leenova54 12 Nov 2010

Yes, just put your name and where you live. I am going to put a direct link to that post in the letter to Ellen. Shirlene has been so wonderful to us all and I am really hoping that Ellen takes this to heart.

by katydid 12 Nov 2010

Thanks, Kay

I wonder if all emails or mail get read they must receive 1000s. If you set up the information so that everyone can send the information if they start recieving lots of emails from different people to help shirlene they may take more notice.

1 comment

by leenova54 12 Nov 2010

I am more afraid that it would put them off if they are bombarded with them. considering how caring and giving Ellen is I have a feeling that she reads most of the emails herself after a staff member weeds out the nutty ones, lol.

My goodness - thanks for all the work on this - you are really special family to me. WOW!

3 comments

by meganne 12 Nov 2010

Dear Sweet friend, as individuals we all love you and we all wish to do something for you, but each of us, alone, have not the resources or ability to do as much as we each would like to.
As a group we stand united, with one goal, one voice, to try and get you and Rick the help we cannot give you ourselves.

Unconditional love from all of us.
Meg

by leenova54 12 Nov 2010

Shirlene, you have been such an inspiration to us all! You are always positive, never complain, pray for others, offer help in our problems be it embroidery or personal and we just want to do something to lighten your load.

by shirlener88 13 Nov 2010

oh my thank you - I can't type - my eyes are leaking so. thanks

Both ways would be terrific!

Both, with the email first followed by the letter or a copy of the email

I had thought that posting her website all over Craig's List through out the US and Canada, it would advertise her website. But with the new seizures, and hospitalization, I think that would just be too much for Shirlene. Who is probably too busy and tired right now.

If anyone can give them a hand, I'm all for it. Shirlene has always been an encouragement to me.

This is good, very clear.
Deb, please let know all the cuties who can't see Ellen's program if we got her attention.
I hope we do, because Shirlene really diserve it.

I am so pleased to see that someone has thought to question whether Shirlene & Rick and their family are agreeable to this idea. It has had me VERY worried. I did not know how to approach the subject myself. It will be their private lives being put in the spotlight. So I agree if they agree. Love Marg

1 comment

by jerrib 11 Nov 2010

As I said in another post. I talked to Shirlene about it when I first thought of the idea months ago and she was in favour of it then.
Jerri

OK ladies, I am hoping this revised copy of the letter we will send to Ellen meets our needs, it is just under the 1500 characters allowed in emails.
Dear Ellen, We are members of a website, www.CuteEmbroidery.com. Everyone on this website is like a family. Our common love is machine embroidery. We help each other with different topics, but we have one who has been an angel to us all and is in dire need of help which we are unable to provide for her. Shirlene Renshaw. is the person in need. Shirlene's mother was a member of this website from the beginning and gave Shirlene a love of embroidery. This year has been very hard on Shirlene, in Feburary her dear mother, Loretta, passed away, shortly after, Shirlene's husband suffered a stroke. She has been a rock and helps Rick as best she can. Rick lost his job and has not fully recovered. Last week he suffered a seizure, and was hospitalized. While in hospital Rick had 6 more seizures and a mini-stroke. He was released yesterday. Shirlene is by his side knowing he has a long road of therapy ahead of him. She updates on the site but never complains. She owns a website www.loveoflace.com where she sells Free Standing Lace items that she has embroidered, but business is very slow. Shirlene also needs surgery but I don't know the details. Our group of "Cuties" is hoping that there is something you can do to help her, because we know you are a generous person. Our website has members from all over the world. All we are asking for is help for our "Internet Friend" who we all cherish and love. We would appreciate what you can do. Thank you in Advance... The Cuties of CuteEmbroidery.

5 comments

by stitchship 11 Nov 2010

This is really good!

by embroiderymad 12 Nov 2010

Will you need to add the link for the signatures here at cute to this letter will it still be under 1500 characters.

by meganne 12 Nov 2010

Could not have done any better! Great job!

Perhaps you could add:
PS. Below is URL to signatories.

I will pray that Ellen can feel the depth of love in this request and be able to do something for Shirlene and Rick
Hugs and roses, Meganne

by leenova54 12 Nov 2010

I have cropped the letter a bit to allow the link to the signature post but I need to change that Miss Loretta passed in January. Rick had his stroke after that.

by shirlener88 13 Nov 2010

no dear - Rick had his stroke February 3rd, Loretta passed February 11th., one week to the day after his stroke.

As I am probably not the only one not to know who is Ellen DeGeneres here in Europe, here's a link to Wikepedia to know a bit more of what she can do for our loving Shirlene.
More we are to participate and more chance we give to attract Ellen's attention.

For the one like me who didn't follow the beginning of that very good initiative, here's another link where the first question was asked.

Love to you all, Cathie J.

Even so I read the 2 "questions talking about "add your name to letter post". I don't understand who is Ellen and how can she help Shirlene ?
I am very kind to help our lovely Shirlene but I just want to know where I am going !
Love Cathie J.

2 comments

by stitchship 11 Nov 2010

I don't either, but if some think she can help Shirlene and Rick, I am all for it.

by dollygk 11 Nov 2010

Ellen Degeneris is a talk show host who gives cash help to people who write into her asking for it. Last show she gave $20,000 cash to the family plus a 7 day crise for all of them.

I think we can do both, emaillist is easier for all the members in other parts of the world to join in, and there can be a real mail too in that can be mentioned there's an email too. But I don't know if we should ask Shirlene about this idea or we just try and if it works it will be a surprise?( like Linda- noticed)
I like the idea crafter: to add a link to a list where we all can sign this request by our name and country. So it is visible we realy are one family all over the world.

Did'nt Rick's stroke happen first then Loretta passed away. I think so, just double check
Bev

6 comments

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

I had asked someone a while back what was the problem with Shirlene and they said her Mom passed and then Rick had the stroke.

by bevintex 11 Nov 2010

I still remember someone saying how devastated Shirlene was shortly after Rick's stroke when Loretta passed away . Am I wrong? Can someone clarify this?
bev

by shirlener88 12 Nov 2010

Rick had his stroke the week to the day of my Mother's passing.

by shirlener88 12 Nov 2010

prior to her passing. Stroke Feb 3, brian surgery Feb 8 and Miss Loretta passed Feb 11, 2010

by leenova54 12 Nov 2010

Thanks for clearing that up Shirlene. Can you PM your phone number to me? It is needed if Ellen decides to contact you. Lord I pray this works!

by shirlener88 13 Nov 2010

sure

Deb this is good. I would send e-mail and include a link to the page we signed. so they can go straight to it. I would also have a letter ready with a copy of all the signatures just in case you don't hear from them in a couple of weeks. Then send it out to them. thank you for taking on this task.

2 comments

by sarahrose 11 Nov 2010

Or a link to the signatures might be a good idea, too.

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

I think a link to the signature post is the easiest.

Send the email. That is how they ask for story ideas and suggestions. A letter may get read but i think it may delay the process. Of coarse you could do both but i suggest email is the best way to go.
Bev

Good arguments for both, but I've been taught that a written/type letter makes a bigger impact. Don't know for sure.

If you wan to cut down spaces you could change it to "Our members are from all across the US and the world" or just say "All across the world". At the end you could say "We are all asking for help for our "Internet Friend" who we all cherish and love. Just my 2 cents.

4 comments

by dollygk 11 Nov 2010

VERY good idea

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

Thanks, there is still time for revisions.

by sarahrose 11 Nov 2010

I like this addition, too.

by stitchship 11 Nov 2010

Great idea!

Has anyone talked to Shirlene about this idea? I think that would be the first thing I would do. She has always been a very private person up until Rick got sick. I would be afraid to follow through with this without consulting Shirlene and get her okay!

4 comments

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

That concerns me also but Twee knows Shirlene personally and thought it was a good idea also.

by jerrib 11 Nov 2010

I talked to Shirlene awhile back when I first thought of it. She was in favour of it, but didn't feel right in sending the letter to Ellen herself. As I didn't know her well enough, I suggested she ask a friend or family member to do, but I think she just felt funny about asking. I left it in the back of my mind until this last episode with Rick and then I felt I could at least try. I know she will be grateful, if we can get Ellen to help.
Jerri

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

If only we had known we could have had this rolling earlier BUT, better late than never!

by mranderson 11 Nov 2010

If they agree should we go ahead with it now or give them some time to adjust to their situation. Things must be chaotic for them at the moment. Marg

I think that there is no harm sending it both ways.
Thank you for what you are doing. Sarah.

Sending it both ways won't hurt, then it will get her attention, that this is someone who really needs her help. You all have brought tears to my eyes, and warmth to my heart.
Thank you again, all of you
Jerrib

With the e-mail could there be a link added to the post where we all sign? This would solve the 1500 word issue.

I think I'd send the email first. But I think it might be a good idea to send both ways...can never hurt as there is a lot riding on this letter.

1 comment

by stitchship 11 Nov 2010

I agree with this

We are members of a website,www.CuteEmbroidery.com. We are like a family and do machine embroidery. We get love and help from each other but we have one who has been an angel to us all and is in dire need of help, she is Shirlene Renshaw. Shirlene's mother was a member of this website almost from the beginning and gave Shirlene a love of embroidery. This year has been very hard on Shirlene, in Feb her dear mother, Loretta, passed away, shortly after, Shirlene's husband suffered a stroke. She has been a rock and helps Rick as best she can. Rick lost his job and has not fully recovered, this week he suffered a seizure, was hospitalized, and had 6 seizures and a mini-stroke before being released. Shirlene is by his side knowing he has a long road of therapy ahead of him. She gives us updates on the site but never complains. Her income is from her website www.loveoflace.com where she sells Free Standing Lace items that she has embroidered but business is very slow. Shirlene also needs surgery but I don't know the details. Our group of "Cuties" is hoping that there is something you can do to help her because we know what a generous person you are. Our website has members from states all across the US and other countries including Canada, Australia, Germany, Iceland, Brazil, S. Africa, etc. All we are asking for is help for a "friend" most of us has never met but grown to love.

5 comments

by sewmom 11 Nov 2010

This one you wrote is 1394 characters

by sewmom 11 Nov 2010

We are members of a website,www.CuteEmbroidery.com. We are like a family and do machine embroidery. We get love and help from each other but we have one who has been an angel to us all and is in dire need of help, she is Shirlene Renshaw. Shirlene's mother was a member of this website almost from the beginning and gave Shirlene a love of embroidery. This year has been very hard on Shirlene, in Feb her dear mother, Loretta, passed away, shortly after, Shirlene's husband suffered a stroke. She has been a rock and helps Rick as best she can. Rick lost his job and has not fully recovered, this week he suffered a seizure, was hospitalized, and had 6 seizures and a mini-stroke before being released. Shirlene is by his side knowing he has a long road of therapy ahead of him. She gives us updates on the site but never complains. Her income is from her website www.loveoflace.com where she sells Free Standing Lace items that she has embroidered but business is very slow. Shirlene also needs surgery but I don't know the details. Our group of "Cuties" is hoping that there is something you can do to help her because we know what a generous person you are. Our website has members from states all across the US and other countries including Canada, Australia, Germany, Iceland, Brazil, S. Africa, etc. All we are asking for is help for a "friend" most of us has never met but have grown to love.

1399 - I added "have" grown to love

by denice 11 Nov 2010

Succinct and informative. Well done, I am adding my name to the list. This is a great idea.

by keeponsewing 11 Nov 2010

Deb, you might want to clarify the income part,personally I wouldn't say anything about that but leave it to show Rick lost his job and no longer able to work. I'm not sure if they are getting disability or not so it's best not to refer to it. I would think. Also since this is considered a letter, you need the heading to say "Dear" and use her name. Also spell out the word Feburary. (sorry don't mean to be picky but when writing to something this big you want to make sure your "t"is cross and dots are right.)

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

Valid point, I don't know if they get assistance either. Also, I will start with "Dear Ellen"

email, this is obviously the way the site works. If you send by snail mail I think it's more likely to get lost. Personally I couldn't find a snail mail address, Did somebody find it?

5 comments

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

Yes, we have the email address. It only allows 1500 characters. I tried counting mine in the letter posted here but lost count after 300 and something, there has to be a better way of seeing how many letters I have, lol!

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

Oh, I have the snail mail address too. I put it in the original post by jerri

by sewmom 11 Nov 2010

I cut and paste the letter to a word document then use then used the word count tool. I did the changes in the word document and then cut and paste it back to cute.

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

Ah ha, thanks for that tip!

by leenova54 11 Nov 2010

Hmmm, I am on wordpad and I can't find a counter on it. Terre did a revise and I wanted to see how many are in it.

email is quicker and she is into the tech stuff, so I would go that route and the emails of all of us that sign could be added if needed.....