Lorinda sent a message to Stephen A. Schwarzman Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, The Blackstone Group L.P. Email Address that said:
Mr. Schwarzman,
I have no idea if you will read this, or if this is a ridiculous email that will be laughed at, but because I love my friend Marinda dearly....I am willing to endure anything.
I am writing on behalf of my friend, Marinda Davis. I own a performing arts school with my husband in NJ, and met Marinda about 15 years ago while at a dance event. Her energy, humble spirit, and talent captivated me. She is one of the most sought after choreographers among performing arts schools in the US. and she teaches much more than dance. I have hired her in the past to teach my dancers, and the students she comes in contact with, have been inspired and changed for the better. She teaches from the soul and gives her whole heart to everyone....with a genuine smile.
Marinda started a dance company (MarInspired: the storytellers) and performed in NY in 2012. She has been recognized for her choreography, and won a Capezio ACE Award last year in L.A. Unfortunately, Marinda's career has been placed on hold as she is battling over 10 major auto-immune diseases, including Hashimotos, Lupus and Dysautonomia. Her life expectancy has been cut short, and at the age of 33, she is undergoing extensive chemo treatments and takes more medicine each day than I do in two years. Yet, she still lives each day hoping to return to her art and her first love....dance.
I am writing to you now, to see if you will sponsor her dance company. As a result of winning the ACE award last year, they agree (as a prize) to produce a show for her company in LA. The agreement is a sponsorship of $3000. Unfortunately.....in order to pay dancers, costume them, rent rehearsal space etc....it would cost over $50,000. I am going to do my best to raise some money for her so that we can make this happen.....but am reaching out to you for business sponsorship. Because of her illnesses, we have no way of knowing if this will be her first and also her last LA show, but I would like to make sure that it is her best. I believe one of the greatest gifts I can give her right now, is to take care of her expenses of producing the show....so she can create uninhibited. I realize to you, this does not seem like a huge deal and a lot of money....but to her, it is, and would mean the world if it was taken care of. If you cannot consider sponsoring her dance company....maybe you can give me some pointers as to how I can help raise the money needed to produce this show. This would be a huge surprise to her, as she has no idea that I have decided to contact you.
Thank you for your time.....(assuming you read this till the end) and I am eager to hear back from you.
Lorinda
