San Anselmo resident Amelia Chenoweth has been working with two other Ross Valley women to restore the college fund for three Larkspur girls who lost their mother to cancer earlier this year.
Larkspur’s Susan Kelly-Andrews died on March 22 of complications from breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, David Andrews, and their three daughters, 16-year-old Violet, 14-year-old Beatrice and 10-year-old Prudence.
Medical expenses for Kelly-Andrews’ breast cancer ate up the $75,000 college fund saved for the three girls.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking because she was going to go back to work. She was saying she was going to go through chemo and get a job and [create the savings again],” Chenoweth said. “We are hoping to at least get that money back. That was our basic goal and if we can do more that would be awesome.”
Chenoweth, along with Monique Tse of Fairfax and San Anselmo’s Kathy Lococo, have teamed together, created the “Unicorn Rainbow Nation” and are raising funds in several ways:
- Selling coffee at wholesale prices from Guatemala
- Selling $5 raffle tickets for prizes from a variety of businesses (see the impressive list of participating businesses below)
- Holding a benefit screening of Kelly-Andrews’ favorite film, “Bringing up Baby,” in ILM’s former location at 3210 Kerner Boulevard in San Rafael on July 28. The fundraiser, which begins at 4:30 p.m. and includes a barbecue, cocktails and movie snacks, falls on Kelly-Andrews’ birthday.
- , at 1912 Sir Francis Drake Blvdin Fairfax, has offered to donate 10 percent of their sales on Thursday, July 26, to the Kelly-Andrew girls’ college fund.
The three women were close friends of Kelly-Andrews. Chenoweth, who worked with Chenoweth at Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic special effects division, is the godmother of Prudence.
And where’d they get the name Unicorn Rainbow Nation?
“Rainbow unicorn” was what Kelly-Andrews would say about something that was really special that happens, Chenoweth said.
Chenoweth started using the phrase on the blog My Pet Liver, which she started to keep friends and family updated on Kelly-Andrews. “I pulled that phrase up when Susan was sick and going through chemo again.”
The phrase came to mind because so many people were coming together to help with the girls, whether it was giving them rides or tutoring them. “It was this ‘rainbow unicorn’ moment and all these people came out of the woodwork and were helping,” Chenoweth said.
“It is kind of stunning and beautiful and overwhelming how good people are when you need them the most,” Chenoweth said. “It makes bad things easy to bear when people are so good. It’s been pretty inspiring.”
Chenoweth’s blog appears to serve as a touching resource for friends and family. A recent post provided an update on the three girls as summer began:
RAFFLE PRIZES:
Grand Prize:
Wright Travel: http://www.palaceresorts.com/
- 3 nights at a Palace Resort (excluding le Blanc) for 2 adults.
- Includes accommodations, all meals, beverages, entertainment, and taxes are included; airfare, tours, and transfers are not included.
Gift Cards:
Stellar Spa
Zobha Yoga Clothing
: $25
: $50
: Garden consultation ($300 value)
Ross Valley Chiropractic: Consultation and initial office visit ($150 value)
: Free Tune Up
: 2 x $50
: $20
Whyte’s Booksmith: $25
, Frozen Yogurt: $55
Dogville: $25
Dinners:
: Dinner for four
: $75
: $50
s: $40
: $50
Other:
R.U.N Coffee: 2 x 1 lb bag
Victoria Williams (once babysitter to Sue’s girls) - Free babysitting for a movie night out
You can get on Paypal and send $5 per ticket, or $20 for five tickets, to info@rainbowunicornnation.com, or snail mail a check made out to Rainbow Unicorn Nation to:
179 Ridgeway Avenue, Fairfax CA, 94930
Include the number of tickets you want, your name and address and phone number in your comment with Paypal or in a note with your check. For more information, e-mail info@rainbowunicornnation.com.
