My Bed & Breakfast Needs a New Back Deck!

• My name is Karyn, and I am a middle school English teacher. In the summer, I operate a Bed & Breakfast out of my home near Nantasket Beach, Hull, MA.
• I have been successfully hosting guests from all over the country and the world since the summer of 2013! I offer a full breakfast, tour guide services (if requested), guest pick-up and drop-off at airport or ferry/train. I also offer beach towels and chairs, and bicycles for guests to use.
• One of the important features of my Bed & Breakfast is the back deck, where I often serve breakfast, and where my guests can sit and relax, and also use the outdoor grill if they like. Over this past winter, the Boston area experienced record snowfalls and damaging blizzards. When the snow finally melted in April, I saw that my back deck was broken and badly damaged. I also noticed that an outdoor light fixture that once supported a 25-pound icicle over the winter, was also broken. My homeowners insurance does not cover the costs of repairing or replacing any of the damaged property.
•  I am offering donors a chance to help my future guests enjoy the full amenities of my Bed & Breakfast, while they save money on hotels (local hotel rooms are over $250/night during the peak season!), and experience the personal service and home-away-from-home feeling while they're here. For donations of $50 or more, I am offering a 2-night stay for up to 2 people (lots of dates still available for this upcoming summer). 

What We Need & What You Get

Break it down for folks in more detail:

• I need $5000 to replace the deck and hire an electrician to fix the wiring and replace the outdoor light fixture. I am planning to use Trex decking, which is more durable than wood, and never needs painting or staining, and lasts for many years!
• For donations up to $49.00, donors will receive a thank-you letter and t-shirt saying "I Did a Hull of a Good Thing"
• If I don't reach my goal, then I will use whatever funds I raise to tear out the deck myself, and eventually build a patio in it's place.

• My Bed & Breakfast has been successful in bringing people from all over the world to my little beach-side town south of Boston. I have learned about the culture and people of Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, China, and most recently, Austria. 
• As a middle school teacher in an urban school with little resources, I created a campaign on Donorschoose.org, a crowd-funding site for teachers, and acquired a projector for my classroom! Now I can give lessons using technology, and the students are much more engaged in the learning process.
• Here is recent testimonial from a guest from San Francisco (March, 2015) names Aaron: "This was my first Airbnb experience & it met all my expectations plus more! I arrived on a late flight and would have been stranded had Karyn not picked me up from the Ferry terminal. Her place is very nice & cozy in a GREAT location. There was always coffee in the morning (My Savior!) & great breakfast staples to eat. The room is spacious, bed comfortable & bathroom easily accessible. Karyn is a most gracious host & an amazing person, I have met a new lifelong friend! Thank you for everything Karyn & I will see you soon!"

Risks & Challenges

I realize that I may not meet the goal, which will leave me without a proper back deck for my guests for most of this summer season. 

• If that is the case, I plan to offer $10 gift certificates to a restaurant within walking distance which has a deck overlooking the bay and beautiful sunsets, in place of being able to sit in my back yard.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean they can't help:

• If you cannot donate, then perhaps you know of someone who would love to visit the Boston area and enjoy some time on beautiful Nantasket Beach! A two-night stay is offered to donors of $50 or more.
• Also, just sharing my project with friends and family helps get the word out to others who may want to contribute!