Over the years I have donated to a lot of fundraisers. Let's see, I've bought Boy Scout popcorn, Girl Scout Cookies, candy, magazines, flowers from school flower sales, gifts from school gift sales, many baked goods, many ½ beef raffle tickets, many quilt raffle tickets, silent auction items, live auction items. I've donated to walk-a-thons, spell-a-thons and math-a-thons. I've sponsored teams and events and, and, and… But, I don't think I've ever actually raised money for a cause directly… only through making donations.

The Durango Motor Expo ( Car Show) is coming up in 18 days. The beneficiary for the proceeds is the Hospice Program at Mercy Hospital. We are having a contest called "I love that car". Everyone votes for the car they love ( or you can vote for the car because you love the person who owns it! ) . $1.00 per vote, with all of the money going to the Hospice Program. If you're not familiar with Hospice, they are the ones who come to your home, or sit with you and your family ( and much, much, more!) at the hospital to help in the last days, hours, minutes of life.

I am looking for donations of $20. and up. My car, my '66 Nova is the car I love, so that's what we will be voting for. I am challenging all of my friends with cars at the show to out vote me. The more votes, the more money for Hospice.

If you find it in your heart to help me in this cause, I can either pick up your donation, you can mail it to me: 1841 CR 977 Ignacio, CO 81137, (up until June 15th), or you can come to the car show and vote in person. Checks are welcome. Make them out to Mercy Health Foundation with "Hospice/ DME" in the memo line.

Please help me support this great service and cause. Thank you, Elaine Nobriga (Nalani) . enobriga@hughes.net