This is an off topic request, but one of the purposes of our organization is charitable works, and this is a great and somewhat personal one. I just wish I had posted it sooner. This weekend is a Raffle going toward Team Zoomina raising money for the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk, and I wanted everyone to know about it because a coworker of mine, the adorable (but don't let that fool you) Jamina, has Cystic Fibrosis and... well, I'll let her explain it. It's not meant to be a sob story. The girl's as spunky and raunchy as anyone I know. The only time I realize she's sick is when she goes into the hospital every few months. Her condition is real and quite serious though, so it's of personal importance to me.

My name is Jamina Winston, and I’m a fighter! I was diagnosed at the age of three with Cystic Fibrosis. I am now twenty four and have been faced with many challenges in my life. Fighting against CF is one of the things I do best. I currently live in Tempe, Arizona and have participated in Great Strides for the past two years with Team Zoomina. To date we have raised over $3,000. I am a college graduate with a B.S. in Zoology, currently work at the Phoenix Zoo doing children’s educational programs. I just completed an internship through SCA in Prince Williams Forest Park, located in Triangle, Virgina. Even with my disease, I have traveled to Africa, a life-long dream come true. I am applying to grad school and hope attend University of Oregeon in fall 2008. I have a lot more things to accomplish in my lifetime and would appreciate any donations that you would be able to make to help find a cure.

The upcoming Great Strides Walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is coming up and she and her friends have formed Team Zoomina and are raising money toward the walk. As part of that, they are having a raffle this weekend with some excellent prizes. Regular raffle tickets are $3 each or 4 for $10, and some really big prizes for $10 each or 3 for $25. Prizes are listed below. If you are interested, email me at david@azbrowncoats.org and I will pass you on to the relevant people (do not pay through me or this site, we are a completely different charity). If you would like to go one further and actually join Team Zoomina, that can also be arranged.

For the record, Jamina isn't quite what you'd call a browncoat, but she is a big fan of Firefly as are many of the team, and she especially loves Dollhouse... so she's totally one of us, and we take care of our own!

I put asterisks next to the prizes I think are particularly geek friendly. Raffle is this weekend so act quick!

Raffle Supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides Walk

Raffle tickets for these items are $3 each or 4 for $10.
Make sure you get the RED raffle tickets for these items!

Express Car Detailing at Stewart Detailing-
Two locations: 40th St./Camelback and Central/Thomas Rd.

Phoenix Zoo Passes-
4 passes for regular admission

Desert Botanical Gardens Family Admission-
Admission for 2 adults and 2 children, ages 3-12. There will be two Family admission packs raffled off.

One Dozen Long Stem Roses Arrangement from Phoenix Flower Shops-
Nine locations Valley-wide

The Flower Shoppe $50 Gift Certificate-
located at Guadalupe and McClintock

*Japanese Swordmanship Classes at Mesa Shinkendo Dojos-
One month of classes (3 classes/week). Located at Higley and Brown.

*Westworld Paintball Adventure Passes-
Two passes. Passes include field fee, equipment rental, 100 paintballs, and all day air. Can be used at the indoor Xtreme Pursuit location (Camelback and 43rd Ave.) or the outdoor Splatter Ranch location (Scottsdale Rd. and Jomax Rd., north of Bell Rd)

Hot Stone and Coconut Oil Massage at Dolce Salon and Spa- 45 minute massage.
Three Dolce locations: Chandler, Scottsdale, and Peoria

Changing Hands Bookstore $30 Gift Certificate-
located at Guadalupe/McClintock

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria $30 Gift Certificate-
Three locations: Old Town Scottsdale, Chandler, and DC Ranch

Don & Charlie’s $25 Gift Certificate-
located near Camelback and Scottsdale Rd.

It’s A Dog’s World $30 Gift Certificate and Gift Basket-
Three locations: Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Peoria.

Phoenix Rock Gym Passes-
Passes for two. Includes gear. Located near University and McClintock

Luxury Package from Flair Salon-
Includes deep conditioning treatment, trim, blow dry, choice of eyebrow/lip wax. Located on Gilbert Road, between Baseline and Guadalupe. There will be 3 packages raffled off.

Also, a year membership to Caswells Indoor Shooting Range, a Spring Makeover from Sagasta Salon, and a golf foursome from The Legacy Golf Resort. These items cost $400 to $500, so the raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.