Forget Me Not Stories

This alumna is a single mother who moved to Texas from California to get help with her son from his father, but shortly after, he cut off that support. Her and her son had to move in with friends because she could not afford rent and she does not have any family to turn to for assistance.

 At this holiday season I thought it an appropriate time to apprise you of how the generous grant from the Forget Me Not Fund has assisted my son and I. After a horrific eight months in Texas, I used the grant to put our belongings in storage and move back to the Los Angeles area, where I grew up, to start afresh. That decision has been a great one. I have re-connected with old friends and found work immediately. While I still have some challenges ahead, I certainly would not be where I am without the grant. Please extend my gratitude to the Foundation for their support.

When I am able, I would like to donate to the Forget Me Not Fund so that I can help another Alpha Phi sister in need. Until that time I would like to volunteer my time at any chapter needing assistance. As I am closest to the UCLA chapter I wondered if you might forward my contact information to the appropriate person(s).

This collegian’s mother's pay/hours were cut unexpectedly; this has affected her credit, and in turn her mom was denied the Parent PLUS Loan, which she has needed to help pay her tuition in the past. This member needed help with her tuition; otherwise, she may have had to drop out of school.

When I received the assistance grant from the Alpha Phi Foundation I was so relieved and grateful. The $1000 was able to go toward my University Bill so that I could register for the spring semester and continue to attend the University of Iowa. This expression of love means so much to me and my love for Alpha Phi grows stronger each day. Knowing that my sisters are beside me for life warms my heart. Thank you again.  

This alumna and her family were struggling financially and continued to run into roadblocks as she was trying to get her finances under control.

I want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU ALL again so much for granting me the Forget Me Not grant. I didn't want to have to go to you all, but I so appreciate knowing that you understood my situation and condition, and had the compassion to assist my family during this very trying time.

I want you to know that with the grant I was given, I was able to catch up my power bill and get it back to zero, so now I am on time and not in fear of a shut off. I was also able to pay off the water bill that was behind by a month because I used the money to catch up on the power.  I took the remainder of the money and used it to the shortage on my mortgage. This has allowed me to get thru December with all payments on time, and now I can peacefully wait for my tax return in January to keep me going until things really improve for us (we are praying).
 
I can't thank you enough for your kindness and generosity.  You have saved my family from going thru even more heartache and trying times.  It is a comfort to know that we have finally put the fear of turn offs on utilities behind us and that we can make the mortgage payment this month.
 
Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts.  I knew Alpha Phi was a special organization when I joined, but I never knew that they would really be there in a time of crisis.  I appreciate your hearing and understanding my situation.  I promise you, if I can, when I can, I will give back to the organization, the way that they helped me when I needed it most.
 
Thank you all again.  You helped ease the stress that we had....and you practically saved our lives.

With Love and gratefulness.

This collegian’s mother was diagnosed with cancer last year; additionally, her parents were already having financial difficulties and are now filing for bankruptcy.

Dear Alpha Phi Foundation,

I have an amazing family and this past year has made me realize just how lucky I am. We have been going through difficult times but we have never been so close. My mother has had many medical problems and both of my parents’ jobs have been hit hard by the economy. Although we have had many losses and struggles, I feel like this year has had a huge impact on my life. My mother is alive and well, my family has stayed strong, and we have learned to appreciate the little things. It is interesting how after you get past frustration and fear you find what really matters. We would never understand how good things can be without experiencing the bad as well. My sisters at Alpha Phi were there for me when I was going through the bad things. Without them and their support I don’t know if I would have made it through.

When I say I have an amazing family, it not only includes my parents and sister, but all of my sisters at Alpha Phi. They were with me when I needed family the most. When I wasn’t able to go home and visit my mother, they would comfort, distract, and support me. This summer I was afraid I would lose that support because it was financially impossible for me to stay in the house. It was constantly on my mind. I found out my sisters had put in an application for me for the Forget Me Not Fund. I cannot express to you how much your scholarship means to me. When I received the news that I had gotten it, I cried for almost an hour laughing and hugging my sisters. I still get to be a part of the ceremonies, the late nights, the fun talks, and most importantly the hugs. Because of you, I get to remain part of my second family. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Because of your generosity and loving gift, I will never feel forgotten.

I will never be able to thank you enough. You have changed my life forever.

This is from the husband of an alumna that received a grant; the application was submitted by a fellow Alpha Phi alumna. This alumna’s son was born with a genetic disorder called Critical Aortic Stenosis; there is no cure for the condition and the family is struggling with the medical expenses that come along with it (e.g., hospital stays, surgeries, medications).

My wife and I are so grateful for the very generous gift that we received from Alpha Phi. This came to us as a very welcomed surprise. A good friend of ours reached out to you, and didn't mention anything to us until she heard back. This has touched us very deeply, and has helped us more than I can probably express in words, but I will try. Both my older sister and my wife are Alpha Phis, and we have four family pets with Alpha Phi names (SoPhi, Lilly, Phiona, and Ivy). Believe me that I won't be making fun of them for that anymore. :)
 
When our son, Calvin was born with his heart condition, it came to us as a complete surprise. My wife was on bedrest for nine days prior to his birth due to his heart rate crashing to dangerous levels. Whenever he was born, it was determined that the crashes were due to him being wrapped tightly in the umbilical cord. We felt a great relief and thought we were in the clear, but he wasn't responding as strongly as they wanted him to.
 
It was quickly determined that something was wrong with him, and he was rushed to St. Louis Children's Hospital. They determined that he has a condition called, "aortic stenosis", and he needed immediate surgery. The surgery was a huge success, but his recovery was slow. I was able to hold him for the first time after a week, and he was eventually released after two.
 
Calvin had a nice week at home, only to come down with viral pneumonia, and had to go back to the hospital for another ten days while he recovered. It was determined that he may need another valve surgery sooner, rather than later, as was previously thought.
 
Calvin is currently on four medications and stable, and his next surgery in not yet scheduled. The doctors are trying to wait until he is as fully grown as possible, as to lessen the risk, as well as the chances of him outgrowing any repairs they perform on his valves.
 
We were blessed to have insurance during all of this, but the bills have still overwhelmed us. We have worked out payment plans with four hospitals, and with the generous gift from Alpha Phi, have managed to cover these payments, as well as the medications our son needs.
 
Thank you so much again for your wonderful gift.

This alumna is a cervical cancer survivor, but her cancer treatments affected other parts of her body, and she continues to face very serious health issues because of this. The application was submitted by fellow Alpha Phi alumnae.

 I cried when Sara told me I am so overwhelmed. I have been in the hospital or bed bound for over a month now and have been unable to care for myself and my two year old son. I am very sick and my team of doctors are not sure why. I love my sisters with all my heart and I cannot thank you guys enough.  

The application for this alumna was submitted by current Lambda chapter collegians. Her family’s home recently burned down, and her brother was killed in the fire. Her father was also in the house and was hospitalized for some time afterward. She is also a past scholarship recipient.

 I don't even know what to say or how to even begin to thank you for your generosity.  How was this even possible?  Just know that from the very bottom of my heart, I am more touched than ever before in my life.

I loved serving as President of the Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter when I was in college; it defined my experience at Berkeley, and my friendships and work with the foundation have made an immeasurable impact on my life since.  And now, years after I've graduated, I cannot even begin to thank you enough for this.

I'm too speechless to even begin to express all the gratitude I have for you and everyone else who did this, but for now, just know that your (collective) kindness has made the darkest days of my life so much better. 

With deep love and gratitude.