We, the Lima family of Mooresville, North Carolina (Richard, Andrea, and Alaysia) would like to volunteer our time, skills and talents to help the flood victims in the Midwest get back on their feet. We'd like to take advantage of what we have, like our 40' motor home, to not only help get us there, but to house us while simultaneously advertising for our sponsors. However, we are in need of monetary sponsorships and donations to help finance the trip, our stay, and our mission.

We are asking that your company donate money to help us help others during this dire situation. We have put together a proposal outlining our basic costs and needs, and we would appreciate any and all help your company could provide. Below is a photo of our motor home, with plenty of space for advertising:

Any monies remaining after our trip would be immediately donated to the American Red Cross. We will set up a special and separate account at Bank of America for all donations, and will keep and report an accounting of all expenditures related to our trip.

Please contact Richard Lima at 704-641-4212, or Andrea Lima at or 704-641-5914 with questions or to make donations. We appreciate any and all help your company can provide.

Purpose/ Mission Statement:

Volunteer to help the flood victims in the Midwest by providing physical support, time, talent, and skills.

I. Needs

A. Monetary donations - corporate or private sponsorships for the following:

1. Diesel fuel average of $4.60 per gallon across the country at "Flying J" stations, $350 per fill up @ 8 fill-ups = $2,850 in diesel fuel costs

2. Gasoline for personal vehicle, average of $4.10 per gallon across the country, fill up twice a week at an average of $60 per fill up, for 8 weeks, $960 in automobile fuel costs

3. Camping fees, based on average of $35 per night at KOA Campgrounds, for ~ 60 nights, $2,100 in campground fees

4. Food, $100 per week for 8 weeks, $800 in food costs

5. Borrow/donate a trailer to transport personal vehicle

6. Graphics for advertising sponsors on motor home

7. Donate or lend metal crate for ~ #40 dog

II. In exchange for donations or sponsorships

A. We will use the space on our 40' motor home to advertise our sponsors. We will park it in high-visibility spots for all to see

B. We will wear t-shirts, hats, whatever sponsors provide us to help advertise the companies

C. We will work hard daily to help flood victims where ever we're needed

1. Clean-up

2. Rebuild

3. Distributing supplies

4. Transporting supplies with personal vehicle

D. We will provide a weekly emailed report to sponsors including photos of achievements, jobs in progress and completed, progress, challenges, needs, etc.

E. We will provide a final report upon return home with accomplishments, needs, lessons learned

F. We will donate any remaining funds to the American Red Cross at the end of the trip

G. We will keep track of all receipts and expenditures by providing an accounting with our weekly and final reports on how the money is being used to help victims

III. Duration of trip

A. We would depart as soon as we were able to raise enough money (~$3,000) to get us there and pay for a couple weeks of stay, start in Iowa and travel south following the Mississippi River where the flooding is getting worse by the day.

B. We would stay as long as we were able to cover our costs

C. Ideally, we'd return a week prior to the start of school ~ August 11th