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Proclamation <br /> Whereas: Patsy and Robb Keech founded Spare Key in 1997 after the death of their 2 '/2 year old <br /> son Derian,who was born with a genetic birth defect; and <br /> Whereas: Derian endured many hospitalizations, six major surgeries, and five open-heart surgeries <br /> in his short life; and <br /> Whereas: The Keech family was torn between being with their child as he faced his uphill battle to <br /> survive and going to work in order to maintain financial stability. The choice between <br /> losing their home or leaving their critically ill son was tormenting. In the end,they chose <br /> their son; and <br /> Whereas: The Keech family did not lose their home. Their family, friends and strangers raised <br /> money during this crisis to pay their mortgage. This generosity alleviated stress and <br /> allowed them to spend precious time with their son until the day he passed. In memory <br /> of this courageous little boy who faced his many surgeries with a joyful spirit,the <br /> Keechs' vowed to help other families facing similar situations; and <br /> Whereas: Spare Key provides assistance to Minnesota homeowners each month who have critically <br /> ill or seriously injured children by making a mortgage payment on the families behalf, <br /> allowing them to spend time with their child; and <br /> Whereas, In its 15 years of service Spare Key has assisted over 1,500 Minnesota families with <br /> mortgage grant payments averaging$ 1,050 per family. By making these payments, <br /> Spare Key has given families the ability to"Bounce and Not Break"from the immense <br /> emotional and financial pressure of the child's medical crisis; and <br /> Whereas, Spare Key's goal is to dramatically increase the number of Minnesota families it serves <br /> every year. By doing so, Spare Key hopes to insure that no Minnesota family with a <br /> seriously ill or critically injured child ever has to choose between being with their sick or <br /> injured child or losing their home. <br /> Now,Therefore,I Dave Jacobsen,Mayor of New Brighton, do hereby proclaim Saturday, <br /> September 15, 2012 as <br /> Spare 3Cey .Appreciation Day <br /> IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and <br /> caused the Seal of the City of New Brighton, Minnesota to be <br /> affixed this 23rd day of October, 2012. <br /> David Jacobsen-Mayor <br />