The kids and young adults in the National Youth Alliance will be kicking off
their annual search for donated items to support their Silent Auction at HDSA's
national convention in Pittsburgh in June. Over the next couple of months
they'll be going to different organizations and retail merchants to try and
collect items to auction off. These kids do a great job raising awareness for HD
by doing this but as we all know, times are tough. So now, more then ever,
we're asking that you help if you can, by making gift baskets or donating items
for this year's Silent Auction.

Attached is a flyer on how YOU or your family and friends can help! If you get
the flyer you don't have to read the below ;-) However we would like it very
much if you would share the flyer with your HD support groups, chapters, Centers
of Excellence and family and friends! If you didn't get the flyer and would
like a copy, please email me at jemiller@...

Thank you!



2008 HDSA National Youth Alliance Silent Auction

Every year, since the 16th Annual Huntington's Disease Society of America's
[HDSA] Convention in San Diego June 2000, the HDSA National Youth Alliance [NYA]
has held a Silent Auction immediately before the Awards Banquet on Saturday
night. The primary purpose of this auction is for the NYA to raise funds for HD
Research. Monies collected from the NYA activities at the HDSA convention is
given a two-for-one match by the Generation 2000 matching fund. Two-thirds of
that money goes towards HDSA's research projects and one-third goes to help
support the NYA Annual Convention Scholarship Fund. The NYA Convention
Scholarship is open to any member of the NYA who, due to financial hardship,
needs support attending a HDSA National Convention.

The Countdown - Today March 8, 2008

As everyone probably knows by now, the HDSA's annual national convention will be
held at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh, Pa. June 6-8, 2008. That is only 13
weeks away!

Each year the NYA Silent Auction has been huge success! However, none of this
would be possible without the generous support from our HD families, HD Chapters
& Support Groups, the HD Centers of Excellence's, our family & friends as well
as the dedication and hard work of all the NYA members!

However, the NYA needs your help!

Over the next few months the members of the HDSA National Youth Alliance will be
using a letter from HDSA to collect items for the 2008 Silent Auction. However
as family or friends, you can also help! Without the many wonderful items
donated by people such as yourself, the Silent Auction would not have been the
success it has been! In the past, people have brought autographed sports
memorabilia from major teams in their state, made baskets filled with items
representing their state, provided gift certificates to major department stores
and/or restaurants, sent in hand-made quilts and so many other beautiful items.
And, don't forget small toys, puzzles, stuffed animals, etc. for the children's
table too!

Won't you please see what items you may have that you can donate to the 2008 NYA
Silent Auction? Maybe it's time to clean out the attic for treasures you no
longer use and bring them with you the national convention! If you think you can
help in other ways, please let NYA member Staci Houston know. Staci is heading
up the HDSA NYA 2008 Silent Auction Committee and can be reached by email:
spacystace9@...

Supporting the HDSA NYA 2008 Silent Auction is something you can do together as
a family! Sometimes for under $10.00 or $20.00 you'll find that you can put
together an item to donate for the NYA Silent auction and have fun with your
family or friends making it! Homemade items have gone over really well at past
NYA auctions!

Mailing Items For the 2008 NYA Silent Auction:

If you're unable to personally attend the HDSA national convention, you can
still help by mailing donated items. Mailed items should be received no later
than May 29th 2008 and be sent to:

HDSA
505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902
New York, NY 10018
Attention: Mynelly Perez
Mark for: 2008 NYA Silent Auction

Please see the NYA link on HDSA's website for additional information, membership
application to join the NYA [it's free], and other events planned for the NYA:
www.hdsa.org/nya. If you have any questions, Mynelly can be contacted by calling
HDSA 1-800-345-4372 Extension 214 or by email: mperez@....

HDSA's NYA 2008 Silent Auction Letter

Barbara T. Boyle, Executive Director/CEO of the Huntington's Disease Society of
America has written a letter that introduces NYA members who will be soliciting
donations from local merchants. The 2008 NYA Silent Auction flyer is attached
that a NYA member can show to any organization they will be visiting to collect
items. Remember, any young person, ages 9 through 29, can use this letter and
help!

For information on the HDSA 23rd annual convention, and how to register to
attend, please visit HDSA's website www.hdsa.org or contact Bob Coffey at HDSA
1-800-345-4372 Extension 10 or via email coffeyr@...

Won't you consider sharing this message with your family & friends to ask if
they can help out the 2008 Huntington's Disease National Youth Alliance Silent
Auction?

Thank you!
Jean Miller and Sue & Dave Hodgson
Your HDSA NYA Adult Advisors


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