Just before Christmas I was cruising thru the BB reading posts and I hit on one from "Kookabura"
(Katie Wright the 17 year old Signee wannabe)and she mentioned she sure hoped one day she could make it to the U.S. for a Letterhead meet...to make a long story short my wife looked over at the screen and said "why not" and an idea was born.

I contacted a few heads to see if it were practical and got a tremendous reply saying "go for it".
So I first contacted the Letterheads I know the best on a personal basis and asked for pledges to pay for air fare to get Katie to Fred's Meet (Oklahoma City) in March.I then approached the people I noticed had spent time answering her posts most frequently.

Then I talked to "Bushy" (Jon Butterworth) in Oz and he agreed to approach the "heads" there.After some discussing back and forth it was agreed that $2000. would be our goal. Oh yeah... then we had to ask her parents permission to let her travel so far.
Fortunately they said "yes" (with a few parental concerns)never the less they were happy to hear of such a plan.

Now the problem was to keep it a secret from Katie til Christmas day...and somehow we did it...If you tuned in Christmas Eve to see her learn of the trip you had to be choked up with the rest of us as she laughed, cried, celebrated and was just plain "Kookie"

We could still use some help making our goal...Anything over the cost of the flight (around $1462.00 american) will be given to Katie for travel expenses,and anything left she can use to enter Univesity or Sign School in the spring.

If you feel like pitching in, we'd be grateful for your help in meeting our goal.Contact me if you have any further questions at <jumperz@prodigy.net> Or make out your check to Michael D. Jumper for Katie Wright. (Send it in care of) SIGNLanguage 323 E. Main St./ Norman, Oklahoma 73069

Hope you find this to be as worthwhile as we do.

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]

I sent out numerous e-mails to all the Oz Letterheads I could find. Hard to keep it secret when Katie was staying here at the time

Response has been good, but could be better. Unfortunately a lotta heads down here switch off their 'puters over the holidays.

"Come on Ossies ... come on" Every little bit helps. Just send the cheque to Katie Wright c/o Jon Signs, PO Box 2333, Toowoomba, Q4350.

But, lets not stop there!!! Monte and Pat have opened "a can of worms" We have to recipricate next year hahahaaha. A deserving "up-over" sponsored to attend the "down-under" Letterhead Meet in Sydney? An Annual "Letterheads In ternational Scholarship" Dreams at this stage But dreams can happen