You are getting this message because Valerie Meiss,
the Vocalist/ Accordionist from the Hellblinki Sextet, desperately needs your help.

As you may know, Valerie was the victim of a violent crime on Sept 21, 2008.
While at a birthday party in Asheville, NC, she was attacked and stabbed
by her former friend and roommate. Luckily for her, she was surrounded by a group
of friends at the time of the attack who very literally saved her life.
If not for them, this could all have been much, much worse.

The attacker is currently awaiting trial for the charge of "Assault with a Deadly
Weapon Resulting In Serious Injury" : A felony with a maximum sentence of 8 years.

Although Valerie's injury -- a deep and painful stab wound to the left lower hip --
was non-life threatening, it has been life altering for her. She is finding day to day
activities (walking, sleeping, working) difficult and painful. Things like riding her bike
to work have become impossible, and other things -- like lifting her accordion to play--
have become an exercise in true grit and determination. Valerie is yet to miss
a single Hellblinki Sextet show because of this. She played a show a remarkable 6 days
after her attack!! She has also been forced to take prescription pain medication which,
if you know Valerie and her views on drugs and alcohol, is the antithesis
of her normal clean living lifestyle.

She is making use of some of the city's victim's services, but getting their help
- financial and otherwise - will be a long and slow process. Her income has been greatly diminished because of the amount of time she has had to take off of work.
At this point, Valerie has been paying for her own medical care: buying medication
and supplies. Other bills, like the ambulance ride to the emergency room, are still pending.
All of this while her assailant is free to walk the streets and gets
free legal council from the state.

This is simply not fair.

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP.

A benefit account has been set in up for Valerie to help cover her medical expenses.
If you have ever shared the stage with Hellblinki, caught one of their performances,
or just know Valerie as that girl who made your coffee at Caribou Coffee in Charlotte,
then please donate anything you can to help.

No amount is too small -- or large!

Time is of the essence here. Why should Valerie's credit be damaged because
she was a victim of crime?? Why should she have to deplete her savings to pay
for an injury deliberately caused by someone else??

Please act today and donate to Valerie's recovery fund.

To make this easy, donations can be made

via Pay Pal by clicking on the photo below:

Or, you can send checks, cash, or spare change to her parents home at:

305 Longbridge Dr.
Matthews, NC 28105.

Make checks out to Valerie Meiss

Please don't wait to donate. Do it today.

Feel free to re-post this message to your friends.

If you want to send your good wishes to Valerie, go here:
Myspace.com/VlMeiss