The picture above shows the Alberta Treasury Branch's (ATB) presentation of the donation to the Canadian RLS Foundation. Left to right is Sharon Will, manager of the agency in our small Village, Michelle Payne, our son Trevor, myself Donna Payne and my husband Matt. In front are Trevor and Michelle's children, Marin and Riley.

The bank manager Sharon chose RLS Foundation as the charity of choice because she had attended our fund raising Garden Parties and realized the need to support WED/RLS was crucial. The ATB was celebrating their 75th anniversary and had allowed each of their branches, province wide, to choose a charity that they would be given $500.00 to donate to on their behalf. My heartfelt thanks goes out to Sharon and ATB.

I was so grateful that not only had the Garden Parties had raised funds for WED/RLS, but they have created awareness in our community. This awareness inspired Sharon Will to recognize the need to support the RLS Foundation's efforts to create awareness, find a cure and improve treatments.

Because we live in a small community our son, Trevor, is well known. Trevor's severe case of this debilitating disease has enabled us to plea with the women attending our Garden Parties to be generous in their support and indeed they have been.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage the WED/RLS community to do what they can to raise funds. I found my Garden Parties to be fun and inspiring. It's a great way to be involved in your community and raise awareness of WED/RLS. I hope to host another Garden Party fundraiser this summer.

Sincerely,
Donna Payne