Due to the incredible outpouring of love and support for the Fredeen Family during this time, we have started this blog to help provide information to family and friends.

The Friends and Family of the Fredeens thank you on behalf of the Fredeen Family for your incredible generosity and overwhelming support.


NAVIGATING THIS BLOG
Please click on the links below to access pages related to the memorial services, monetary donations, hotels/lodging, and photo sharing.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Memorial Services Update #2

Hello again Family and Friends of the Fredeens,

You have all been very patient as the details have been worked out. At last, we have final details for this weekend:
Viewing (open-casket): 
Saturday from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM 
Sunday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM 
Location: Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel
450 Ward Drive 
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Telephone Number: (805) 965 5145

Children’s Celebration of Nina’s Life (for friends and family with children only):
Date: Saturday, February 26
Time: 2:30 PM -4:30 PM
Location: Santa Barbara Junior High School Multi Purpose Room (map located on "Memorial Services" page, click on link above)
721 East Cota Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Parking: The parking lot next to the Multi-Purpose room has 40 spaces. Overflow parking will be available.

This event is for children and their families only because the formal memorial service on Sunday is for adults only. It will include a short service (10-15 minutes) followed by a children's art activity. We will be having all the children paint ceramic tiles, which will then be fired and permanently installed in Santa Barbara as a memorial to Nina. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 

Memorial Service (adults only):
Date: Sunday, February 27
Time: 12:00-2:00 PM
Location: Isla Vista Theater (map located on "Memorial Services" page, click on link above)
960 Embarcadero Del Norte
Isla Vista, CA  
Parking: There is some parking next to the theater in UCSB Lot 40.  Additional parking in lot 22 and 23 (see map attached to this email). Please allow enough time for parking. Please remember that parking is typically paid parking at UCSB. Please plan to bring a credit card or cash for parking payments, which can be purchased from machines in the lots (parking should be no more than $3). 

The memorial service will last for about an hour, followed by refreshments and a chance to visit with Todd, Rosy, friends and family.

Please remember to RSVP by clicking on the "RSVP" tab above.
Information about where charitable donations can be made is still to come.
The family has also asked that several parameters be followed at all events and when visiting with them, including Teddy. In honor of Nina's spunky spirit, please wear bright colors, rather than black to all events. In order to maintain an appropriate emotional atmosphere for children, we ask that you please grieve quietly, although it is understood that tears will be a natural part of the weekend. Todd and Rosy have also asked that you please give Teddy space and allow him to approach you, rather than asking him directly how he is doing. Besides being overwhelmed by the loss of his sister, he is quite overwhelmed by all the attention the family is receiving.

Hopefully this information allows for more specific plans to be made. I continue to be happy to answer questions. We will also continue to update the blog. Todd, Rosy and Teddy are greatly looking forward to seeing friends and family.

Memorial Services Update #1

Dear Family and Friends of the Fredeens,


I have received many inquiries in the last two days regarding making travel plans, so am writing to provide a brief update. Unfortunately, some of the details are still being worked out. We are working to provide you with as much information as we can as quickly as possible--we know how difficult it is to make last minute travel plans. We appreciate everyone's patience.

Several tentative updates include:

The Saturday Children's Celebration of Life Event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m @ Santa Barbara Junior High in the
Multi-Purpose Center/Lunch Room located at 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, Ca 93103.  It will last for about 90 minutes to two hours and include a brief ceremony (10-15 minutes) and a fun art activity.

The Sunday Memorial Service (adults only) is tentatively scheduled for noon. It will last for about 2 hours including a reception following the event.

Please be aware that these times are still tentative and subject to change. Details about locations will be provided when available.

Again, we have set up a way to RSVP for these two events on this blog, which will be very helpful in our planning. Please let us know if you plan on coming and how many people we should include for you.  To RSVP for the events please select the "RSVP" above.

Also, several other pieces of information that the family has requested be sent out include:

Although they are VERY grateful for all the support they are receiving, they are receiving more food than they can reasonably use. They have asked that no more food be brought to the house. Those who are looking to do kind gesture could consider a donation to one of the charities that will be named later this week. Thank you to all who have provided food thus far!

Also, instead of a guest book at the memorial events we are going to be compiling a scrapbook for Todd, Rosy, and Teddy. We will be providing specifications about page size and paper, which will then be hand bound into a book after the fact. In the mean time you may want to begin considering your favorite poem, song, photos, etc. to include, especially if it requires you to bring something from home and you will be traveling.

Please feel free to let me know if you have further questions. We will update the blog again as soon as we have more details. And of course, keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Best,

Mendy Minjarez

Monday, February 21, 2011

Dear Family and Friends of the Fredeens,

I am writing on behalf of Todd, Rosy, and Teddy Fredeen. As you have probably read on the Praying for Nina blog, Nina went to heaven peacefully this morning surrounded by her family and closest friends.

As a result, we wanted to provide you with information about upcoming events asap so your travel plans can be made accordingly. 

Memorial events will be held this weekend, on Saturday Feb. 26 and Sunday Feb. 27 in Santa Barbara. Additional details (time, location, etc.) will be provided here and through email updates. We also ask that you RSVP to events if possible through this blog to give us an idea of how many people will be in attendance. An RSVP link is provided on this blog please select the "RSVP" tab above.
 
At this time, if you have questions about these events please e-mail mendy.boettcher@gmail.com rather than contacting the family directly. We will provide you with as much information as possible as soon as we have it.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Nina's name. Several charities will be named within a day or two, including contact information. Or if you would like to send donations directly to the family please select the "Donations" tab above.

In the mean time, please hold the family in your thoughts and prayers. We know they will appreciate seeing you in person this weekend or hearing from you sometime soon if you cannot attend.

Best,

Mendy Minjarez (friend of Rosy and Todd) and many other dedicated friends who are helping plan this weekend's events

Thursday, February 17, 2011

UPDATE: Praying for Nina Benefit

Dear Family & Friends,

The Golf Tournament originally scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2011 has been CANCELED. We are still holding the Benefit Dinner so please join us on Friday, March 11, 2011 at Glen Annie Golf Club. 
Event and Donation Information
Click on the link to be taken to the Event Website.  Here you'll find information on the various sponsorship levels, information on how to purchase tickets to the event, and how to make a monetary donation. 

Your support and continued thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Join us for the Praying for Nina Benefit Weekend

Dear Family & Friends,

As you know, Nina Fredeen is a fantastic little girl who has been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma  (DPIG) - an inoperable tumor on the brain stem. To support Nina and her family, we have planned a Benefit Weekend in Santa Barbara

The Benefit Weekend will include:
  • Benefit Dinner on Friday, 11 March beginning at 4:30 p.m.  The dinner will include a silent/live auction and a 3 course meal.
  • Golf Tournament on Saturday, 12 March beginning at 7 a.m.  This will include lunch.
The location of both events is tenatively scheduled at the Glen Annie Golf Club in Goleta.
Holidays08Boston09 046
How You Can Help
  • Donate an auction gift to help us raise money
  • Attend one or both events as a participant
  • Make a monetary donation
Event and Donation Information
Click on the link to be taken to the Event Website.  Here you'll find information on the various sponsorship levels, information on how to purchase tickets to the event(s), and how to make a monetary donation.  Your support would be greatly appreciated.

We ask that you forward this information so that it can reach as many people as possible.  Rosy has given us permission to invite the general public to the Benefit Weekend.  It would be great if we could reach our goal of raising $15,000 for the family.
We appreciate your consideration in helping us raise money for the Fredeen Family.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at cindy@AnEnlightenedEvent.com.

Sincerely,
Cindy Slusar, MBA, PBC
Owner & Planner
An Enlightened Event
www.AnEnlightenedEvent.com

About Me

You're probably wondering who I am and who An Enlightened Event is.  I was introduced to the story of Nina through a mutual friend of the family's back in November.  I couldn't attend the Zoo Party for Nina but offered my services as an Event Planner to coordinate a fundraising event.  I was contacted by Rosy's dear friends Sharon, Crystal and Larisa in January to make the fundraising event happen.

I've chosen to offer my services because I have a little girl and when I see pictures of Nina or hear Nina's laugh, I see and hear my daughter.  This story has touched my heart and I want to do what I can to help raise money for this wonderful family.