THANK YOU, GERRY!

[heISmyGspot]

I recently had a telephone conversation with Dr. Em (Dayna) wherein I explained that I was feeling "called" to start a "Thank you, Gerry" thread. Naturally, she encouraged me to do so.

Of course, there's no guarantee that Gerry will ever read or even know of the existence of this thread. Nonetheless, hopefully the posts contained herein will allow those who are compelled to participate to get some "sense of closure" in expressing gratitude to Gerry for his continued support of his fanbase and extraordinary generosity.

THE RULES:

Operating on the fantasy that Gerry (or one of his people) will peruse the messages herein, ONLY messages directly addressed to Gerry will be allowed. We will honor and respect the value of his time (or those working for him) and chit-chat between members within this specific thread will not be allowed.

Any messages which deviate from specifically expressing thanks and gratitude will be cloaked without notice. Please be brief and to the point; refrain from posting your entire fangirl experience.

Without further ado, you are invited to post your personal messages of thanks and gratitude to Gerry below.

Spot

[framolamdu]

Gerry Your continued generosity never ceases to amaze me. You're one of a kind and I'm honoured to be part of your wonderful fanbase. You deserve our unwavering support and we'll always be there for you like you've been for us. Discovering The Shade Tree has had a profound effect on all those Gals who've had the privilege to visit/help so words are not enough to thank you. The Shade Tree isn't a publicly recognised charity associated with your name so for you to donate in the way you have speaks volumes as to the person you are. Moira

[Knight Phantom]

Gerry~ I was there when you called, and when you said those magic words, you made me cry. I have never, in my life been so damn proud to be a fan! You are one extraordinary man Gerry; never stop. With all my admiration,

xxx

[heISmyGspot]

First, I apologize for this thread being a wee bit tardy. However, it's my position that as long as you're out there, it's never too late to say "thank you." So...

:ty: for matching our "charity funds" raised during convention weekend!!

We work SOOOO HARD (all year) to raise every valuable penny for The Shade Tree, in Vegas. To have you very generously double our efforts in one fell swoop, is just "overwhelming." PLEASE KNOW we do not take your support for granted. There are simply NO WORDS to adequately convey our collective gratitude. I don't know what it is about The Shade Tree, but working to support it has become all but an obsession for many of us.

Just as our appreciation of YOU has drawn us together as "FANmily," our collective desire to lend aid -- both financially and physically -- to this entity striving to "encourage and empower" women fighting to escape the cycle of domestic abuse is equally as binding! Not only do we raise funds, but we also share the Gerry Juice via DVDs and other movie memorabilia. As you may be aware, during this year's convention, we took a "field trip" to the TST facility in order to lend a hand wherever needed; some read to children, others led arts and crafts, some separated and distributed donated items, several served lunch, etc. My group started off by moving donated food items from the receiving dock to the "pantry." As we tackled this project, there were several women collected outside the shelter. Motioning to the work group, one gal asked, "Who are you?" I replied, "We're a group of fans for actor Gerard Butler. We come to Vegas every year for a fan convention. We've been working with TST and wanted to come lend a hand, so here we are." She asked the dreaded question, "Who's Gerard Butler?" I then listed your various roles. When I mentioned "Nim's Island," she lit up and said, "Oh, Nim's Island?! I know that one. My granddaughter LOVES that movie!" We continued to chat briefly. After all was said and done, she expressed her thanks and assured me that she would try to see your other films (esp. "Dragon"). It was a proud moment for me as one of your fans.

I've often said that my hope for you is that you continue being the "bit of a f**k up" that makes you so endearing to many of us, that you find gratification and satisfaction in the work that you do and that you find a gal that makes you laugh as much and treats you as well as my husband does me. (I can wish no greater wish than that last one!)

Thanks, again, for your continued support of our charitable efforts and your extraordinary generosity, not only financially, but with every signature you send us and every phone call you make. Most importantly thank you for attracting the type of people that join sites like GALS. My life is inherently more fulfilled as a result of my GALS and I'll have to trust God to reward you accordingly!

Grateful beyond words for EVERYTHING,

Holly

[irish]

Dear Gerry, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity in matching the funds we raised in Vegas this year. I don't know if you have any idea the number of your fans that have in fact been affected by domestic abuse and your support of The Shade Tree and of us makes you even that much more special. The fact that each year you take the time out of your busy schedule to call and leave us a message, not to mention that first magical year when you actually came to the convention, shows just what kind of a man you are. Success has not changed you....you are still a man with a heart of gold ... ok, maybe a wee bit of a bad boy....but one that makes me and I believe all of us GALS very proud to be your fans. May God bless you Gerry.

love and hugs,

Sue

[GerrysGalwayGirl]

Dearest Gerry, even though I couldn't make it to the convention this year, I was able to listen to the call. I am so glad to be a fan. Thank you for your generosity. "Hollyweird" hasn't changed you. I will be a loyal fan for many years because you are the best actor. Hugs and kisses from Oklahoma City. I can make you all the cupcakes(or cookies, I can't make pie) you want, any flavor.

Kelley

Edited June 23, 2010 by GerrysGalwayGirl

[Christine ONeal]

Dear Gerry,

Even though I've only been a fan for a very brief time(almost four months now), I quickly realized how you different you are from most of the "Hollyweird" crowd. I never been so moved by another actor's performances like I have yours(especially The Jury, Phantom of the Opera, Miracle Match, 300, PS I Love You and Law Abiding Citizen). I'm also deeply touched by your tremendous generosity to numerous charities and feel a huge sense of pride to support your movies and feel the need to give what I can to help others in need. I've lost count of the vast number of friends that have been made since joining the forum and feel fortunate to be a part of a very large FANmily. God bless you.

Edited July 3, 2010 by Christine ONeal

[Susan~Sporran]

Dear Gerry

Thank you for so many things. For your generosity in matching the funds raised for The Shade Tree in Las Vegas, I thank you. I was sitting next to Marlene, Executive Director of the shelter when your phone call was played. I saw her overcome with emotion at what a difference you are going to make in the lives of so many women and children. You may never comprehend just how much it means.

For taking time from your busy schedule to autograph items that helped us raise the money for The Shade Tree, we are so grateful.

You have been the catalyst that has made so many wonderful things happen. For the best most loving, generous, talented, creative, amazing friends I could ever imagine, I thank you. For countless hours of entertainment, I thank you.

May all you have done for others be returned to you 100-fold. You deserve the best life can offer, especially love and laughs, and amazing people to share them with.

With love and gratitude

Susan

[Paisleyscot]

Yes we were all doing the Spazzy Dance when you called

and said you'd match what we made for The Shade Tree Shelter!

Because of you we came to GALS to share in the enjoyment of this actor we all admire and enjoy watching on the big screen. Yes we even sometimes drool over!

When we got here we found much more than that, we found a big FANmily! We love and support each other.

When one of our FANmily members needs a hand we reach out and give support, and are the first to the Spazzy Dance when someone shares something special.

As an extention of our FANmily, The Shade Tree Shelter most definately needs our hand. So when we got your call in Vegas, and you said you'd match what we made, you better believe we were all doing the Spazzy Dance!

Thank You for your gererosity! Thank You for your continued support of GALS! Thank You for the enjoyment you give us with your craft!

Oh and did I say Thank You!

Hugs,

Cheryl

[Guest]

Dear Gerard,

I would like to personally say thank you for letting me be a fan of yours and if it wasnt for you, i wouldnt have found this site. But i am glad that i did! But i thought that was very cool and generous of you to match the funds for the Shade Tree Charity event... Never heard an actor that is sooo nice, generous,caring, and most of all who has a very warm heart to help out others in need for a lending hand to get them back on their feet.

Gerard, You are my favorite Scottish actor for three years and i will not stop being a GAL of the Fanmily. And i am very sorry to not come to the convention as well but i was able to listen to your messages and i nearly felt touch and overwhelmed of how much you made a difference to the world. And God has given you a gift Gerard, you have the gift of having a pure heart of giving hope to those who need it.

God Bless you luv,

Amanda Nicole

[givemeabeach]

Hi Gerry,

Thank you for your incredible generosity in matching the funds that GALS raised in support of The Shade Tree in Las Vegas this year. Gerard, you are amazing actor and man, and it was so easy to fall in love with your image and your myriad of characters on screen, but it was even easier to fall for the absolutely wonderful, funny, bighearted person, you are!

Forever a Fan, , Love

Linda

[Swansong]

I am celebrating my 5th year as a member of GALS and my 6th year as a fan. Through all the ups and downs of fandom, hearing about the many kindnesses you lavish upon fans when they have the chance to meet you in person, never fails to warm my heart; because those stories are just more evidence of the kind of person you are. The fact that you are also generous in your desire to "give back" through financially supporting various charity organizations, further sheds light on your true character.

Thank you for assisting GALS in their own desires to "give back" by supporting The Shade Tree. This organization has become, I think, a very personal story for some of the GALS members as they take a "hands on" approach to caring for the women and children who find shelter and safety there.

(and on a more personal note...look what else you've inspired; my Phantom of the Opera novel!

Been working on it for over 5 years, and just today I received the very first copy of my published novel! Your performance in that role was my muse!)

Love and respect,

Bonnie Anne

Edited June 24, 2010 by Swansong

[shirsan]

Dearest Gerry,

I want to thank you especially for your kindness and

support of your fans. It is wonderful to know that you

recognize your fans in such a positive way.

It is heart warming to see you take your time to

reach out to your fans the way you do, to take time

to go to them at premiers, and outside tapeings.

Most celebrities just wave and go their way, but

you actually interact, and that means so much to

so many.

This site started out to support you, then started

supporting charities that you personally support,

like Kids Kicking Cancer, then went on to plant trees

in your name in your beloved homeland, and has now

found TST. I am not financially fortunate enough to be

able to attend the conventions held in your honor, but

thanks to some of the more computer talented fans on

the site I have been able to attend the virtual con for the

past few years, and when you call it really touches something

in my spirit to know that you will go the extra step to let us

know you appreciate our support. When you matched the

funds raised this year for TST I think we all at home and at

the con nearly fell off our seats. My heart nearly burst.

Thank you for sharing your talent with the world, your sweet

spirit with the fans, and your finances for worthy causes.

Love you absolutely,

Sandy

Edited June 23, 2010 by shirsan

[Shamrocked]

Dear Gerry,

I am your fan because of your generous heart and because you treat your fans with such respect. Keep doing that and I will keep being a devoted fan.

Diane

[JustCallMeTracy]

Dear Gerry,
When I heard that you matched the funds raised by the GALs for the charity it made my day.
I was never so proud to be a fan of someone.

I love your work and I have yet to see one of your movies I didn't like. I didn't quite understand about the camel, but O.K.
I hope you keep making movies as long as you want to.
God be with you and yours.
I wish you happiness and joy.

Oh, and I wish the idiots in all those academies would realize you are ready for some awards. Sorry if they are your friends.

You should have already at least won three Oscars in my opinion, one for Phantom Of The Opera , one for 300, one for Law Abiding Citizen.

Love your fan,
Tracy Holmes

Edited June 24, 2010 by JustCallMeTracy

[Jennifer10]

Thank you for being you!

[cybrsal]

Gerry, You are forever surprising us. For a "bad boy" you sure know how to win our hearts. It is because you have such a big one yourself. Thank you so much for standing with us to help this organization. Their kitchen feeds about 200 a meal and it was a very small kitchen. When we were shown a knife as the processor for all the meals, my heart just sank. You will never know how much your donation will mean to these already unfortunate women and children. Your generosity has no bounds. Thank you.

Love and hugs,

Sally

[Lady Elissa]

Gerry,

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity in matching the funds raised in Vegas on behalf of The Shade Tree. I'm very proud to be your fan and to call myself a GAL!

xoxo

Elissa

[MarleneTST]

Dear Mr. Butler,

Your compassionate gift to match the funds raised by GALS is incredible and a blessing too astonishing for words. I was speechless when your words were spoken at the convention and remain completely thankful and without adequate words to convey how overwhelming grateful I am. Your gift will change the lives of women and children yearning, hoping, and dreaming of a better future. As the humble leader of The Shade Tree, I thank you for beleiving in empowering women and their children on their journey of healing and hope.

Marlene Richter

[GBPhanatic]

Dearest Gerry,

Even though I was not in attendance at the Vegas Con held in your honor, your generosity says so much about you as a person. Even to take the time out of your busy life to make the phone call, was a wonderful gesture. But for my own selfish reasons, I want to thank you for remaining true to yourself. Of all the photos that I have seen of you lately on yachts, rubbing elbows with the rich and elite (not that you're not one of them now), I appreciate even more those taken of you cheering and enjoying the games with just regular folk at a sports bar in Detroit. You seem to never loose sight of who you are or where you came from and still seem to take pleasure in the simple things life has to offer.

Of all the photos, too, when you are surrounded by people, other celebrities, beautiful women or throngs of fans, I think I love the ones most where you are just off by yourself, watching people. Wish I could do that with you sometime. I'll bet we would have a lot of fun at their expense!

So as many have said it here, thank you Gerry, just for being you.

Delene

[bermos]

Gerry,

I want to say a very big Thank you for your generous donation to the Shelter Tree. I was honored to be part of the Vegas experience and to hear you tell everyone there that you would match what we donated brought me to tears. The Shelter Tree is very special to the community and to my heart, for a portion of my life, I was physically and emotionally abused.

You are truly and incredible man and I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful group of GALS>

Sincerely,

Sherrell Frederick/Bermos

[RedDragoness]

Gerard,

Thank you for everything you do and just being you. Your generosity in matching what we raised at the Con is just amazing. It is always a special time and when you take the time to call, as you have every year that I have attended, it just amazes me. Keep sending those young'uns for us to harass err I mean, get to know. Take care of you!

Red aka Char

[ginnywhit]

What can I say that hasn't been already said. Gerry, you are the Tops. You are not only the greatest actor (in my opinion) in the World, but you are so wonderful at giving. You must have the greatest Karma, because I think you give so much more than you get. Keep making wonderful films so we can keep having Gerard Butler Gals conferences and keep giving to a worthy charity in your name.

Your humble fan, Giny

[Songbird]

Dear Gerry,

I haven't written before now, because honestly, words seem inadequate to express how I feel. So, I will simply say with a full heart, THANK YOU.

Your support of your fans, the fansite GBGALS, GALS Charitable Foundation (which was born from Dayna Linton's generous heart and inspiring vision) the recognition of our support of EACH OTHER (i.e. through the Rising Phoenix Inspiration Awards bestowed by GCF) and your support of the incredible work that's being done at The Shade Tree shelter, means so much to a great number of people, who like myself, will never be able to say "Thank you" enough!

You will probably never know all the blessings that your match to our donations to The Shade Tree will create. Like the ripples upon the still water that Frankie's skimming stones create (at the end of the movie LOL!), so your good deeds ripple and carry on to countless others. Remember Gerry, we're all connected. Thank you and God bless you!

Songbird

a/k/a

Katie Steuart

Secretary/Treasurer

GALS Charitable Foundation

a 501( c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit charitable corporation

Envision. Encourage. Empower.

[Sara]

Gerry,

I'd like to thank you not only for your gift to the Shade Tree, but for the gift of your amazing talent, your fun-loving spirit and for appreciating us - your fans. You are truly one-of-a-kind!

Sara