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December, 2016 Volume 33 Issue No 8 Rocketing “An Intergroup is an A.A. service office that involves partnership among into the groups in a community, just as A.A. groups themselves are partnerships of individuals. It is established to carry out certain functions common to all Fourth groups . . . functions which are best handled by a centralized office ~ and it is usually maintained, supervised and supported by these groups in their Dimension! general interest. It exists to aid groups in their common purpose of carrying the A.A. message to the alcoholic who still suffers.”

STEP TWELVE Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. The Unifier is published BAH! HUMBUG! monthly by Brevard Inter- group for the purpose of During the Christmas season I can easily recall the communication with the wonderful story by , “.” It is local fellowship. The con- the story of and his powerful spiritual tent is the responsibility of the Editors and its contribu- awakening at the hand of ghosts and spirits. Why did Scrooge tors and does not necessari- say Humbug? What is a Humbug? One definition is that of “a ly represent the view of A.A.

willfully false, deceptive, or insincere person.” Was I ever one Please send your article to: of those? In a word, “Yes!” Brevard Intergroup Inc. The story of Scrooge is really about me. It describes my ghosts and my spirits. It 720 E. New Haven Ave, outlines my loneliness and miserliness. The story also discusses my resentments of the past, #3 fears of the future and harm done to others. Dickens nailed me when he used the words to FL 32901 describe Scrooge as: “secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.” But, is there no Office Hours; M-F, 9-4:30

way out? 321-724-2247 or 633-0052 My family forced me to do something about my drinking a number of years ago. I knew I fax: 321-724-8574 had a problem with alcohol but wasn’t willing to do anything about it on my own. However, the email: fear of losing my family overcame the fear of quitting drinking. I reluctantly started down the [email protected] path of recovery. While in a treatment program, I was required to go to three AA meetings a website: week. If it had been my choice, I never would have gone to AA at all. I was a raving example of www.aaspacecoast.org “contempt prior to investigation.” For Online AA Meetings I realize now that before I came into AA, I was spending half of my time wallowing in the aa-intergroup.org resentments of yesterday and the other half of my time in fears of tomorrow. I literally had no today. Those first AA meetings showed me how important today could be. A day at a time— focus on the now. You know the slogans. From the very beginning, AA has helped me focus 2016 BREVARD on the day I’m in - because it’s the only one I have. INTERGROUP BOARD

My first handhold in AA was in its wonderful Fellowship. I enjoyed my newfound Chairperson Terri C. [email protected] friends. The stories and sharing were a tremendous help to feeling part of this new group. I concluded that I really was an alcoholic. I wasn’t to blame but I was responsible for getting Vice Chair John K. [email protected] better. I soon discovered that no one had any ulterior motives. Our individual and collective sobriety was the driving force. However, I reached the point where “Fellowship” was not Secretary Tamarah B. relieving me of any of the burdens of the past. I was not drinking, but I was not getting better. [email protected]

I had been to enough step meetings to know that my answers lie there—especially in the Treasurer Tim A. [email protected] inventory steps. I asked an AA friend if he would sponsor me and help me through the steps. He said yes. I was on my way to discovering the truth about by resentments, fears, and the Phone Army Greg S. [email protected] harms done to others. As I worked through those steps I was no longer troubled by the ghosts of yesterday and the ghosts of tomorrow. Like Scrooge, I was able to wake up from my Social Events Pamela LN. [email protected] nightmares and start to change my behavior and to make amends. The challenge of living today is now my only real goal. I try to take a inventory today so Webmaster Mike J. [email protected] I can change my behavior tomorrow. To do that, I need the help of a Higher Power today. I believe God’s will for me is not to drink; to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers, Office Manager Bob H. Financial Manager Frank C. and to practice these principles in all my affairs. Supply Manager Tom W. [email protected] Continued on page 2 D ECEMBER , 2 0 1 6 P AGE 2 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS—KEEP COMING BACK, IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!

SANDPIPER GROUP Continued from page 1 Ginny M-2 yrs Mare B-25 yrs Don S-29 yrs Patsy G-30 yrs My first sober Christmas was quite SECOND BASE GROUP fearful, but I did the things suggested to me by Alan M-23 yrs Lisa M-10 yrs Nick G-7 yrs my friends in AA. After many sober Holidays I SUNRISE GROUP can reflect that my serenity and ease come Greg L-1 yr from a much improved relationship with a *Belated Nov* Higher Power and with the friendship of many Mike F-1 yr SUNTREE GROUP in AA. Geoff S-2 yrs Melissa K-8 yrs In finishing , AFTER HOURS GROUP Kate P-9 yrs Tony M-24 yrs Dickens says of Scrooge and perhaps you and Rick C-19 yrs Audrey G-13 yrs Thomas L-26 yrs Rhea G-39 yrs me: “that he knew how to keep Christmas well, Todd G-12 yrs John W-12 yrs WE CARE WOMEN’S GROUP BAREFOOT BAY GROUP Tammy-1 yr Diane F-19 yrs if any man alive possessed the knowledge.” Cat-1 yr Rich S-13 yrs *Belated Nov* May that be truly said of Carol S-32 yrs Joann-32 yrs Andrea K-47 yrs GREAT! us, and all of us! And so as Sandy A-34 yrs BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Tiny Tim observed, Mark K-4 yrs “God Bless Us, Every One!” BROWN BAG BUNCH Matt-1 yr Leonard M-3 yrs DON’T FORGET! Merry Christmas from a Paul L-4 yrs Clutch-7 yrs Coming SOON... repentant Scrooge! Dottie O-7 yrs Cori S-12 yrs Joe A-18 yrs Dena S-28 yrs Anonymous, Melbourne, FL Joann S-32 yrs Hope J-33 yrs 2017 SPACE COAST CAPE CANAVERAL GROUP ROUND UP Leslie-2 yrs Cindy-10 yrs Editor’s Note: This story CONSCIOUS CONTACT GROUP Camille C-1 yr David B-3 yrs ‘Radisson At The Port’ first appeared in the Unifier on December 2008. It was written and submitted Earnie C-20 yrs Cape Canaveral, Jan. 19—Jan. 22 EARLY BIRDS GROUP by an AA member from Brevard County. We Joella “Jo”-9 yrs Don L-27 yrs SIX TERRIFIC SPEAKERS! would love to print YOUR story of experience, Bobbie-29 yrs Bob S-34 yrs EIGHT-O-FIVE MEN’S GROUP AA and ALANON workshops and strength, and hope in the upcoming year! Rich B-32 yrs meetings, Sobriety Countdown, Hospital- Please contact the Intergroup Office. HOW IT WORKS GROUP ity Suite, Banquet Buffet ($35) with the Jeff G-7 yrs Dick B-10 yrs Bob B-33 yrs speakers, Recovery Store, 50/50 Raffle, TRADITION TWELVE JUST US PICKLES GROUP Speaker CD’s, Gift Basket raffles and Mark-4 yrs Robert-6 yrs other fun events. Rob L-23 yrs David-6 yrs Sally-2 yrs REGISTER EARLY!! Cost is $30 thru Jan. KEEP COMING BACK GROUP 2nd, $35 after. Denise B-12 yrs Please visit our website for additional LIVING SOBER GROUP Heather R-4 yrs Mandy S-1 yr Hotel and Round Up information at MELBOURNE GROUP www.aaspacecoast.org. Elizabeth M-50 yrs AWESOME! NOON SOBRIETY GROUP Don L-27 yrs OUTREACH GROUP Mim G-16 yrs

PATRICK GROUP Board Elections Are Coming Susan A-14 yrs Pat P-20 yrs Ken A-26 yrs Mary Beth H-25 yrs January Intergroup Rep Meeting!

William S-29 yrs Positions up for election are Chairperson, PRIMARY PURPOSE GROUP Vice Chairperson and Phone Army Director. Eric W-10 yrs Jim H-11 yrs Justin L-21 yrs Jim Y-6 yrs All positions are for two-year terms. The Board Kyle K-5 yrs Jessica F-4 yrs meets twice a month ~ once for the Board Kevin R-1 yr meeting at the Intergroup Office and once for Living the Twelfth Tradition is a lesson in humility REAL ALCOHOLIC MEN’S GROUP the Intergroup Rep meeting at the Wickham when applied on an individual basis. Anonymity protects me Clutch-7 yrs Richard L-19 yrs Park Senior Center. Nominees should have 3 or from myself It also means to do something for somebody else Matt H-29 yrs Harry D-35 yrs more years sobriety and experience at the and keep my big mouth shut, not even letting the person on the JC S-41 yrs WAY TO GO! Group, Intergroup or District level. If interested, receiving end know who the giver is. Now that leads to spiritual *Belated Nov* please call the Intergroup Office at 724-2247 or growth in the area of humility. A man with a lot of years in AA Ben L-3 yrs Joe N-4 yrs 633-0052 and plan to be coined a phrase for it: Being good for nothing! Try it, you’ll like Dan M-13 yrs Frank D-34 yrs it. Jim C-39 yrs at the Rep meeting on January 29th! Reprinted from the Grapevine, January 1989 D ECEMBER , 2 0 1 6 P AGE 3 MEETING CHANGES OCTOBER REP MEETING ATTENDANCE

*** Meeting Changes *** After Hours Group-AUDREY G. Primary Purpose Group-KEN W. Barefoot Bay Group-GLENN M. Reality Challenged Group-ANGELA

Cocoa: Better Late Than Never-VICKI W. Sandpiper Group-TRACY G. The Central Brevard Group women’s meeting Brown Bag Bunch-KELLI R. Seven & Seven Group-PAULA H. on Wednesdays at noon is an open meeting. Cape Canaveral Group-JUDY K. Space Coast YP Group-CHRIS R. Central Brevard Group-JAYNE S. Sunrise Group-MONTY H. Titusville: Dist. 15 Intergroup Liaison-GARY C. Sunset Group-MICHELLE M. The New Beginnings Women’s Group is canceled as of December Dist. 23 Intergroup Liaison-GLENN B. Suntree Group-SHANE C. 1st. Early Birds Group-DENISE H. Suntree Women’s Group-JANIS D. The Primary Purpose Group meeting on Sunday, December 25th at Eleventh Step Group-GARY C. Viera Daily Reflections Group-JANET C. 7PM will be ’open discussion’ instead of ’open speaker’. Gateway Group-GREG G. Viera Group-SUZANNE W. Greater Destiny Men’s Group-TOM H. We Care Women’s Group-KATHY R. HOLD THE DATE—Elizabeth M. will be visiting from Virginia and Higher Powered Group-JOE N. Women’s Beachside Group-PAT RF. celebrating her 50th anniversary at the Melbourne Group on Tuesday, How It Works Group-CHARLES C. Women Bring Your Step Book-NATALIE L. January 3rd at 7PM. It’s Never Too Late Group-ERIC H. Just Us Pickles Group-DAVE T. OCTOBER CONTRIBUTORS K.I.S.S. Group-KATHY W. Keep Coming Back Group-MOLLY M. are members who donate five Faithful Fivers Lost & Found Group-GREG G. dollars ($5) a month to Intergroup as an act of New Hope Group-JOANNE A. 33 voting members, 2 District Liaison, gratitude. This month: New Pineda Group-GEORGE I. 6 Board members, 4 visitors ANONYMOUS, BOB H, JOE R, JOHN Mc, Patrick Group-RUTH T. and the IG Office Manager attended LINDA J, LISA L, & ROB L 2016 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FORUM Birthday Donors are members who express their gratitude with an annual donation based on their December 2-4 at the Lake Mary Marriott number of years of sobriety. 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary ANONYMOUS, MARTHA S A weekend of sharing and info sessions designed to help the Belated September—JOSEPH L boards and staff of GSO and Grapevine stay in touch with AA Sponsored by REALITY CHALLENGED... members. HOLIDAY HULLABALOO It is free and you can register at www.aa.org

TALENT SHOW! Saturday, December 10 at River NEW HOPE’S 30TH GROUP ANNIVERSARY Run Church, 1660 Croton Rd in Melbourne Saturday, December 3rd Speaker Meeting at 7PM—Ruth T. 1135 N Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island Food @ 5PM, Speaker @ 7PM with Dessert Auction Tickets are $5 in advance & 50/50 For Tickets & Info: Jack M @ 321-305-2766 COME CELEBRATE WITH US! Claudia @ 321-750-2143

HOLIDAY “ELKATHONS”! Living The Dream Group at Club 62 is having a Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Alcathon with a Meditation meeting at mid- night then meetings every even hour starting at 10AM. There will be FOOD after the noon meeting, please bring a favorite des- sert or side dish to share if you can. AND they are also sponsor- ing a New Year‟s Eve Alcathon with meetings every even hour be- ginning at 10AM until we „ring in the new year‟ together! Reality Challenged at 1660 Croton Rd in Melbourne is sponsor- ing a New Year‟s Eve Alcathon starting Saturday, Dec. 31st at 6PM with dinner at 8:15PM, please bring a side dish to share. Drinks and snacks provided all night. Meetings at 7, 9 & 11PM.

D ECEMBER , 2 0 1 6 P AGE 4 OCTOBER FINANCES OCTOBER GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS

GROUP MONTH Y-T-D GROUP MONTH Y-T-D INCOME MONTH Y-T-D 12th Step Group 20.00 Real Alcoholic Men’s Grp 900.00 Donations (four kinds) 1,780.72 16,851.03 After Hours Group 1,200.00 Reality Challenged Group 751.05 Sales 2,543.45 39,326.98 Other Income 60.44 167.11 Barefoot Bay Group 125.00 Sandpiper Group 75.00 1,025.00 Social Events 1,175.00 19,260.23 Better Late Than Never Group 100.00 Sea Heart Group 80.00 TOTAL INCOME 5,559.61 75,605.35 Box Car Group 300.00 Seaside Women’s Group 280.87

EXPENSES MONTH Y-T-D Brown Bag Bunch 195.27 609.07 Seven & Seven Group 70.00 208.00 Bank Service Charges 0.00 8.00 By The Steps Group 23.06 Six-O-Five Group 321.00 Cape Canaveral Group 50.00 Cost of Goods Sold 2,137.18 25,769.09 Sobriety in the Country 135.00 Conscious Contact Group Copying 307.83 2,672.42 Space Coast Young People 16.31 Early Birds Group 3.04 55.45 Depreciation 0.00 0.00 Sunday’s Children Group 0.74 Eau Gallie Group 240.00 Donations (GSO,NFA,Dist.) 0.00 2,000.00 Sunday Beach Meeting 1,598.86 Insurance 97.84 880.56 Eight-O-Five Men’s Group 18.85 276.04 Sunrise Group 77.77 Social Events 29.99 11,059.06 Eleventh Step Group 60.00 Sunset Group 150.00 Licenses and Taxes 0.00 61.25 Faith Viera Meeting 217.00 Suntree Group 1.340.28 Office Postage 0.00 48.42 Greater Destiny Men’s Group 150.00 417.68 Suntree Women’s Group 66.50 245.58 Office Expense 130.26 1,536.99 Highland Group 220.00 The Last House Group 132.78 Phone Army Postage 0.00 0.00 Home Base Group 20.00 Reconciliation Expense 0.00 0.35 Together We Can 70.00 How it Works Group 125.00 275.00 Rent 295.00 2,575.00 Viera Group 130.00 Just Us Pickles Group 42.61 202.14 Repairs and Maintenance 0.00 5.35 Weekender’s Group 250.00 Keep Coming Back Group 92.22 Salaries and Wages 1,820.00 20,040.00 Women’s Beachside Group 148.33 Payroll Taxes - FICA 139.20 1,536.32 Melbourne Beach Group 516.70 TOTALS 746.27 14,513.97 Telephone and Internet 177.81 1,695.60 Melbourne Group 15.00 Travel (Intergroup Seminar) 0.00 0.00 Melbourne LGBT 51.00 Utilities 60.08 451.99 New Hope Group 141.54 SELF-SUPPORT TOTAL EXPENSE 4,861.88 72,144.29 New Women’s Group 90.00 “Where Money and NET INCOME + 697.73 + 3,461.08 Noon Sobriety Group 425.50 Spirituality Mix” CURRENT ACCOUNTS Ocean Reflections Meeting 470.00 ********************************** Cashbox Fund 100.00 “We cannot skimp” Old Town Hall Men’s Group 10.00 “With the realization that A.A. must Community CU—Prudent Reserve* 12,420.27 Outreach Group 110.00 steer clear of outside contributions in Community CU—Membership Shares 11.00 Patrick Group 320.00 order to maintain its autonomy and Checking Account 11,760.97 independence came the understanding that the money necessary for A.A.’s TOTAL ACCOUNTS 24,292.24 This group information lags by two months. survival would have to come from *The Prudent Reserve goal was reduced to $12,391.95 because of decreased expenses in 2015. If your group’s donation hasn’t shown up, individual A.A. members and groups. As Bill W. put it in 1957, “Our spiritual We are at 100% + of the desired goal. call the office to confirm. way of life is safe for future generations if, as a Society, we resist OCTOBER —INTERGROUP NEWS the temptation to receive money from the outside world. But this leaves us Featured Book with a responsibility — one that every

Office Visitors 128 member ought to understand. We General AA Calls 131 “DR. BOB” cannot skimp when the treasurer 12-Step Help Calls 1 and the Good passes the hat.”” Court-Ordered Calls 4 Oldtimers!

Website Referrals 21 Where & When’s 16 (Please stop by your Brevard Intergroup for a full selection of financial pamphlets.) Al-Anon/Alateen 3 NA Referrals 1 *********************************** If you are interested in Other Programs 0 being an Office Volunteer call us at Reprinted from the A.A. Pamphlet “SELF SUPPORT: 724-2247 or 633-0052! Where Money and Spirituality Mix (F-3).” with permission from the GSO. D ECEMBER , 2 0 1 6 P AGE 5 REP MEETING MINUTES for OCTOBER 30, 2016 Present: Terri C., Chairperson; John K., Contributions were received from 17 groups WEBSITE REPORT Vice-Chairperson; Tim A., Treasurer; Greg in the month of September 2016. Six groups S., Phone Army Chair; Bob H., Office contributed $100.00 or more. Motion to John K read the report Manager; Pamela L-N., Social Events Chair; accept the report by Ruth, seconded by Paula submitted by Mike. For Tamarah B., Secretary. and passed unanimous. September there were 3676 visits with 7,528 pages viewed. Absent: Michael J., Webmaster. There were OFFICE REPORT The Where & When was the most visited 35 reps, 2 District liaisons and 5 visitors. Bob referred to Unifier - page with 4735. The 'Events' page was Terri opened the meeting with the Serenity reported that there were 178 viewed 306 times. Phone Army information prayer at 3PM. Introductions of attendees, office visitors, 147 general AA page visited 105 times. Spanish page visits Terri C. read the Intergroup Purpose and calls, three 12th-Step calls, four were 21 and Spanish Brochure 14. Mike Monty read the Twelve Traditions. Court Ordered calls, 24 referrals to the completed 16 maintenance activities and 16 ANNOUNCEMENTS Website, 11 Where & When's distributed. current events were listed and 2 ongoing. There were no calls for Al-Anon/Alateen, NA There were 3 anniversaries: or any others. The featured AA Book is " Dr OLD BUSINESS Glenn B. 27yrs, Ken W. 4yrs Bob and the Good Oldtimers" hardcover, 1) SCRU 2017: Ongoing and Julie 25yrs. Janet from the price is $10.50. He also reminded everyone volunteer/committee meetings are Daily Reflections Meeting at that if it is difficult for their group to come scheduled after monthly Rep 6PM on Wednesdays in to the Intergroup Office to get supplies, we meetings. Heritage Isles advised they are looking for a will deliver them on Rep Meeting Days. new meeting place. Keith from the Central Call the Intergroup Office to order. Brevard Group announced their Potluck Dinner coming Dec. 10th. They will be PHONE ARMY REPORT NEW BUSINESS providing the meat, just bring a side dish. Greg reported that all Regular 1) Board Elections: Michelle M. of the Sunset Group wanted to Phone Army shifts are currently Chairperson, Vice Chairperson let everyone know that Jean L. had passed. covered. There is still need for and the Phone Army Director Molly from District 12 wanted everyone to standbys. 12th Step volunteers are elections will take place at the know of the Orientation at Circles of Care still needed in all areas. Need January Rep Meeting by secret this Thursday, Nov. 3rd at 5pm SHARP. coverage for upcoming holidays from 9am to ballot. There was a handout Glenn B., District 23, reminded everyone 4pm to cover regular office hours. The dates given with all information. The nomination about the Gratitude Breakfast on Nov. 19th. are Veterans Day, Nov 11th and Thanksgiving committee will be formed at the November Tom H. reminded everyone of the Gratitude Nov. 24th and 25th. The regular phone army Meeting. Dinner on Nov 5th. covers the remainder of day. 2) Intergroup Office: The Intergroup OFFICERS' REPORTS SOCIAL EVENTS Office will be closed Friday, Nov. 11th for Veterans' Day and on Thursday and Friday, SECRETARY REPORT The planning meeting was held Nov. 24th and 25th for Thanksgiving. There Tamarah advised that the minutes September 25th with 9 of 11 was some discussion as to Alcothons. Just were sent out and if you did not current committee chairs present. Us Pickles is having one from 8AM till 6PM receive to see her after meeting. There were 23 individuals with meetings on even hours and Speaker at Motion to accept by Charlie, present! Brad Z., from New Hope, stepped up Noon. It is a Pot Luck. seconded by Tom, passed to be Display/Literature Chair! Tamarah 3) Phone Army: Greg advised again that unanimous.If your group’s donation hasn’t shown up passed around a working program. Tom here, this information lags by two months. volunteers are needed to man the phone Call the office to be sure. passed out large posters of the SCRU flyer for during these Holiday Office closings from FINANCIAL REPORT committee members to take back and display 9AM till 4PM. The regular phone army Tim presented the financial at their groups/clubs. Shane volunteered to be covers the remainder of the time. Paula report, the net income for "the Voice" of the Round Up. Individual reminded that the Intergroup Office does not ThankSeptember was - $9.84. The committees plan on asking for volunteers in set up rides or provide rides to meetings. budgeted net income was - November. Chris, the Host Chair, is in need $926.50. Explanation for of two male hosts. Still nothing concrete from Ruth motioned to adjourn, Paula seconded. variance: 1) Space Coast Round Up income the Districts regarding their exact level of Meeting was adjourned at 3:45PM. received, which was not budgeted for, 2) participation with the exception of a District Reminder: The next Rep meeting is Intergroup travel expenses to the annual 12 Archives Display. Due to the SCRU being Sunday, Nov 27th. seminar was less than budgeted. Net income so close to the incoming panels, District 12 for year to date is +$2,763.35. The checking and 15 have "suggested" providing workshops account balance on September 30, 2016 was and District 15 is looking to do a display and Respectfully Submitted, $11,699.93. The prudent reserve is now sponsor a game night. No information yet on $12,420.27. The prudent reserve is at Area 14 display and/or participation. Tamarah B. 100%+ of the desired goal of $12,391.95. Planning meeting to follow this meeting. Brevard Intergroup Secretary D ECEMBER , 2 0 1 6 P AGE 6 DECEMBER 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

Southeast Regional New Hope’s Forum—Dec 2-4 30th Anniversary 5PM in Merritt Island at Lake Mary

See Page 3 See Page 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Unifier deadline for Reality Challenged District 15 meets District 12 meets at JANUARY Holiday Hullabaloo at 6pm at Merritt 7pm-St Johns Birthdays and Talent Show Island Group 3585

Church, 610 Young Group Events 7PM in Melbourne N Courtenay Pky St Ste1

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11 12 13 14 15 16 17

District 23 meets

7pm-Circle Club on

Eau Gallie Cswy. I.H.B.

I.G. Board Meeting

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Christmas Eve/Day

Alcathon at Club 62

I.G. Rep Mtg 3pm @

Wickham Park Senior

Center followed by Round Up Mtg See Page 3

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Deadline For New Year’s Eve

Where & When Alcathons

Changes Club 62 &

Reality

Challenged

Unifier Subscription Please send my very own copy of the Unifier Newsletter for one year, twelve whole issues, to the address below. Enclosed is my check or money order for $10.00 to help with expenses.

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