I received a call about six weeks ago from James Brown from Channel 7, asking if he could interview us about Melissa. If you know me or if you have read the blog, you know that any opportunity I have to talk about my daughter, I take it! After talking to him for a few minutes, I asked why he was doing this. Once a month, Channel 7 does a story about someone who is making a difference in the community. Cheryl (McHenry), the other anchor is a friend of mine from grade school and high school. She has been the emcee at the Fort 5K from the beginning. She asked Jim to talk to me.
In all honestly, I was a little embarrassed. I am the first person to say "if you are going to do something for someone, make it a random act of kindness." I just feel like you don't have to shout from the rooftops when you do something for someone else. However, they came to us, and it was another opportunity to share Melissa's story. We were humbled and honored that they wanted to interview us.
We set up a date for him and the videographer to come to the house to interview us. They were here for about an hour. I know it probably doesn't make some people comfortable, but our house is kind of a museum. A lot of memorabilia of Melissa, but of Nick as well. I am very sentimental and it is comforting, not just to me but to Donny as well. The videographer loved it. Gave him lots of stuff for the story.
Anyway, in that hour, I expressed that the reason we do what we do is to pay it forward. There is NO WAY we could ever repay all the kindnesses we and Melissa and John received. All we could do is pay it forward. And we did not do this alone.
Angie suggested the fundraiser for a scholarship in Melissa's name. Bob Franz suggested and started the FORT 5K. Paulie and Nettie were instrumental in starting the Breast Cancer Fundraiser every October in Melissa's honor first, then in her memory.
The Scholarship Fundraiser was in Oct 2009. Less than a year after Melissa died. I could barely get off the couch after she passed away, not motivated to do much of anything. Couldn't answer the phone. Didn't WANT to talk to anyone. Donny went to the grocery. He went back to work almost immediately (because he had to), I was off work from the day she went into the hospital (the Monday before Thanksgiving) until a week or two after she passed. Then I only worked half days for awhile. I wasn't functioning.
Fortunately, we had good friends, and Melissa's good friends who would call and check on us. When Angie suggested the fundraiser, she motivated me to get up and get out. Not sure how, but with the help of social media (mostly FB at the time)we got over $14,000 in donations. From the Union Hall (that was donated), to the beer, the food, baskets for raffles, items for a Silent Auction and security help from Melissa's Uncle Ron and her former Rugby Coach Jen and her mom-we raised $24,000.
I'm guessing there were 20 other people who volunteered to help as well - our friends, Melissa's friends, family. It got us motivated to do even more.
Over $20,000 has been given out in Scholarships to graduating Seniors from Fairmont, along with
another $4-5,000 in scholarships given at the annual FORT 5K.
The original 5K was organized by Bob Franz and his daughter Chelsea. He was the softball coach at Fairmont at the time and a family friend. They did it for a couple of years, then we did it for a year before asking Lacey Drake, the girls basketball coach at the time, if they would take it over as a fundraiser. We continue to help with the 5K, as does Bob and several other members of the Franz family. This year had the biggest participation yet - over 250 people and raised over $6600.00 for the basketball team.
The Kelts Rugby Club continues to hold an annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser in October (Oct 12 this year). Half the money goes to Melissa's Scholarship Fund, the other half goes to Breast Cancer research in Melissa's name. Nettie and Paulie continue to organize this event.
The main reason for the story on Channel 7 was the contribution to Hospice for stationary.
But everything and EVERYONE involved in the above mentioned events could be part of this story!
After reading my journals at Christmastime last year, I read something that Melissa said when she was in Hospice (I wrote down a lot of things that she said...I didn't want to forget anything!). She thought Hospice needed a Stationary Room. A place where people could get notecards, journals, pens. Writing was important to her, and she thought it could be important to others as well.
So we did it. The Channel 7 piece states that we make the contribution to Hospice, which we DO. But it is through the foundation that invests the money for her scholarship fund. We are fortunate that the Kelts continue to contribute to the fund (through the BC Fundraiser)-that is the money we award in scholarships every year. Her fund is growing and we have the opportunity to donate to others as well. This was what MELISSA wanted, so we had to do it!
We have NOT done this alone. We are so grateful to everyone who has not only volunteered in the different fundraisers, but to anyone who continues to share Melissa's story...they are keeping her memory alive. Nothing makes us happier.
All of the events keep Melissa a part of our lives. But spending time with Nick and his family is what keeps us going.
We love having the boys - and had the opportunity to keep them for a couple of days last week.
Nick and Mere went to Vegas for the wedding of a good friend. Her dad got them for a couple of days then they came to stay with us for a few days.
Coming to Pamma and PopPops is kind of like going to school and having a field trip every day.
We went bowling, swimming at the Rec Center, then took them to the Mark Farner (of Grand Funk Railroad) concert. Second concert of the summer (and second concert EVER) for them. They enjoyed it, but by 10:00 they were both ready to go. Me too. Worked out perfectly.
Swimming at the Kettering Rec Center
Saving seats for cousins
Waiting for the concert to start
Love spending time with Max and Andrew!
Also had a visit from Ace - who I babysat for a short time (from 6 weeks - 4 months!)
Ace with Donny's Silver Medal. He'll be an athlete someday.
4th of July
Last time we had this much company for the 4th of July Melissa was here. Andrew was just three months old. I remember she sat on the swing on the deck and held him most of the day. It was about the time the cancer came back. She wasn't feeling well, but she and John were here. And she loved spending time with Andrew!Haven't had the inclination to have a large group of people here for, oh, the last ten years or so.
We've done a little work around the house and felt ready.
There were probably 25-30 people here, mostly family. A few stayed for fireworks - we can see Kettering's fireworks from our front yard.
First Jan (and Ron) walk in the door, then my cousin Chris. Jan and Chris were our Flower Girl and Ring Bearer in our wedding. Wow. We are getting old.
Cousin Sharon, enjoying the air conditioning and the picnic food!
Fun Uncle Tom.
Nephew Matthew - we celebrated his 40th Birthday that day as well!
And what do you know...Melissa was there too!
Matthew and Donna's boyfriend Randy shared some tunes on their guitars. They are both pretty talented!
It was a busy day - then one day off before the next crew came in for the Diana Ross concert at Fraze.
Our concert going friends. We have another 6 or 7 concerts to go to with them this summer!
Randi and Carolyn, Mange and Mary. Tonight was to see Diana Ross. Got started a little late because of lightning, then the lightning stopped and the rain started. Poured. For the first 40 minutes of the concert. Thank goodness for ponchos.
Diana Ross is 75 years old and STILL is amazing. She includes the crowd and her voice hasn't changed a lick. Incredible!!!
Plus she is beautiful!
Really enjoyed the last four days. It's only going to get busier.
Enjoy the rest of the summer...before you know it, football will be starting. Can't wait for that!
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2019
Making a Difference
If you read the blog, you more than likely saw the story on Channel 7 about Melissa.
I received a call about six weeks ago from James Brown from Channel 7, asking if he could interview us about Melissa. If you know me or if you have read the blog, you know that any opportunity I have to talk about my daughter, I take it! After talking to him for a few minutes, I asked why he was doing this. Once a month, Channel 7 does a story about someone who is making a difference in the community. Cheryl (McHenry), the other anchor is a friend of mine from grade school and high school. She has been the emcee at the Fort 5K from the beginning. She asked Jim to talk to me.
In all honestly, I was a little embarrassed. I am the first person to say "if you are going to do something for someone, make it a random act of kindness." I just feel like you don't have to shout from the rooftops when you do something for someone else. However, they came to us, and it was another opportunity to share Melissa's story. We were humbled and honored that they wanted to interview us.
We set up a date for him and the videographer to come to the house to interview us. They were here for about an hour. I know it probably doesn't make some people comfortable, but our house is kind of a museum. A lot of memorabilia of Melissa, but of Nick as well. I am very sentimental and it is comforting, not just to me but to Donny as well. The videographer loved it. Gave him lots of stuff for the story.
Anyway, in that hour, I expressed that the reason we do what we do is to pay it forward. There is NO WAY we could ever repay all the kindnesses we and Melissa and John received. All we could do is pay it forward. And we did not do this alone.
Angie suggested the fundraiser for a scholarship in Melissa's name. Bob Franz suggested and started the FORT 5K. Paulie and Nettie were instrumental in starting the Breast Cancer Fundraiser every October in Melissa's honor first, then in her memory.
The Scholarship Fundraiser was in Oct 2009. Less than a year after Melissa died. I could barely get off the couch after she passed away, not motivated to do much of anything. Couldn't answer the phone. Didn't WANT to talk to anyone. Donny went to the grocery. He went back to work almost immediately (because he had to), I was off work from the day she went into the hospital (the Monday before Thanksgiving) until a week or two after she passed. Then I only worked half days for awhile. I wasn't functioning.
Fortunately, we had good friends, and Melissa's good friends who would call and check on us. When Angie suggested the fundraiser, she motivated me to get up and get out. Not sure how, but with the help of social media (mostly FB at the time)we got over $14,000 in donations. From the Union Hall (that was donated), to the beer, the food, baskets for raffles, items for a Silent Auction and security help from Melissa's Uncle Ron and her former Rugby Coach Jen and her mom-we raised $24,000.
I'm guessing there were 20 other people who volunteered to help as well - our friends, Melissa's friends, family. It got us motivated to do even more.
Over $20,000 has been given out in Scholarships to graduating Seniors from Fairmont, along with
another $4-5,000 in scholarships given at the annual FORT 5K.
The original 5K was organized by Bob Franz and his daughter Chelsea. He was the softball coach at Fairmont at the time and a family friend. They did it for a couple of years, then we did it for a year before asking Lacey Drake, the girls basketball coach at the time, if they would take it over as a fundraiser. We continue to help with the 5K, as does Bob and several other members of the Franz family. This year had the biggest participation yet - over 250 people and raised over $6600.00 for the basketball team.
The Kelts Rugby Club continues to hold an annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser in October (Oct 12 this year). Half the money goes to Melissa's Scholarship Fund, the other half goes to Breast Cancer research in Melissa's name. Nettie and Paulie continue to organize this event.
The main reason for the story on Channel 7 was the contribution to Hospice for stationary.
But everything and EVERYONE involved in the above mentioned events could be part of this story!
After reading my journals at Christmastime last year, I read something that Melissa said when she was in Hospice (I wrote down a lot of things that she said...I didn't want to forget anything!). She thought Hospice needed a Stationary Room. A place where people could get notecards, journals, pens. Writing was important to her, and she thought it could be important to others as well.
So we did it. The Channel 7 piece states that we make the contribution to Hospice, which we DO. But it is through the foundation that invests the money for her scholarship fund. We are fortunate that the Kelts continue to contribute to the fund (through the BC Fundraiser)-that is the money we award in scholarships every year. Her fund is growing and we have the opportunity to donate to others as well. This was what MELISSA wanted, so we had to do it!
We have NOT done this alone. We are so grateful to everyone who has not only volunteered in the different fundraisers, but to anyone who continues to share Melissa's story...they are keeping her memory alive. Nothing makes us happier.
All of the events keep Melissa a part of our lives. But spending time with Nick and his family is what keeps us going.
We love having the boys - and had the opportunity to keep them for a couple of days last week.
Nick and Mere went to Vegas for the wedding of a good friend. Her dad got them for a couple of days then they came to stay with us for a few days.
Coming to Pamma and PopPops is kind of like going to school and having a field trip every day.
We went bowling, swimming at the Rec Center, then took them to the Mark Farner (of Grand Funk Railroad) concert. Second concert of the summer (and second concert EVER) for them. They enjoyed it, but by 10:00 they were both ready to go. Me too. Worked out perfectly.
Haven't had the inclination to have a large group of people here for, oh, the last ten years or so.
We've done a little work around the house and felt ready.
There were probably 25-30 people here, mostly family. A few stayed for fireworks - we can see Kettering's fireworks from our front yard.
It was a busy day - then one day off before the next crew came in for the Diana Ross concert at Fraze.
I received a call about six weeks ago from James Brown from Channel 7, asking if he could interview us about Melissa. If you know me or if you have read the blog, you know that any opportunity I have to talk about my daughter, I take it! After talking to him for a few minutes, I asked why he was doing this. Once a month, Channel 7 does a story about someone who is making a difference in the community. Cheryl (McHenry), the other anchor is a friend of mine from grade school and high school. She has been the emcee at the Fort 5K from the beginning. She asked Jim to talk to me.
In all honestly, I was a little embarrassed. I am the first person to say "if you are going to do something for someone, make it a random act of kindness." I just feel like you don't have to shout from the rooftops when you do something for someone else. However, they came to us, and it was another opportunity to share Melissa's story. We were humbled and honored that they wanted to interview us.
We set up a date for him and the videographer to come to the house to interview us. They were here for about an hour. I know it probably doesn't make some people comfortable, but our house is kind of a museum. A lot of memorabilia of Melissa, but of Nick as well. I am very sentimental and it is comforting, not just to me but to Donny as well. The videographer loved it. Gave him lots of stuff for the story.
Anyway, in that hour, I expressed that the reason we do what we do is to pay it forward. There is NO WAY we could ever repay all the kindnesses we and Melissa and John received. All we could do is pay it forward. And we did not do this alone.
Angie suggested the fundraiser for a scholarship in Melissa's name. Bob Franz suggested and started the FORT 5K. Paulie and Nettie were instrumental in starting the Breast Cancer Fundraiser every October in Melissa's honor first, then in her memory.
The Scholarship Fundraiser was in Oct 2009. Less than a year after Melissa died. I could barely get off the couch after she passed away, not motivated to do much of anything. Couldn't answer the phone. Didn't WANT to talk to anyone. Donny went to the grocery. He went back to work almost immediately (because he had to), I was off work from the day she went into the hospital (the Monday before Thanksgiving) until a week or two after she passed. Then I only worked half days for awhile. I wasn't functioning.
Fortunately, we had good friends, and Melissa's good friends who would call and check on us. When Angie suggested the fundraiser, she motivated me to get up and get out. Not sure how, but with the help of social media (mostly FB at the time)we got over $14,000 in donations. From the Union Hall (that was donated), to the beer, the food, baskets for raffles, items for a Silent Auction and security help from Melissa's Uncle Ron and her former Rugby Coach Jen and her mom-we raised $24,000.
I'm guessing there were 20 other people who volunteered to help as well - our friends, Melissa's friends, family. It got us motivated to do even more.
Over $20,000 has been given out in Scholarships to graduating Seniors from Fairmont, along with
another $4-5,000 in scholarships given at the annual FORT 5K.
The original 5K was organized by Bob Franz and his daughter Chelsea. He was the softball coach at Fairmont at the time and a family friend. They did it for a couple of years, then we did it for a year before asking Lacey Drake, the girls basketball coach at the time, if they would take it over as a fundraiser. We continue to help with the 5K, as does Bob and several other members of the Franz family. This year had the biggest participation yet - over 250 people and raised over $6600.00 for the basketball team.
The Kelts Rugby Club continues to hold an annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser in October (Oct 12 this year). Half the money goes to Melissa's Scholarship Fund, the other half goes to Breast Cancer research in Melissa's name. Nettie and Paulie continue to organize this event.
The main reason for the story on Channel 7 was the contribution to Hospice for stationary.
But everything and EVERYONE involved in the above mentioned events could be part of this story!
After reading my journals at Christmastime last year, I read something that Melissa said when she was in Hospice (I wrote down a lot of things that she said...I didn't want to forget anything!). She thought Hospice needed a Stationary Room. A place where people could get notecards, journals, pens. Writing was important to her, and she thought it could be important to others as well.
So we did it. The Channel 7 piece states that we make the contribution to Hospice, which we DO. But it is through the foundation that invests the money for her scholarship fund. We are fortunate that the Kelts continue to contribute to the fund (through the BC Fundraiser)-that is the money we award in scholarships every year. Her fund is growing and we have the opportunity to donate to others as well. This was what MELISSA wanted, so we had to do it!
We have NOT done this alone. We are so grateful to everyone who has not only volunteered in the different fundraisers, but to anyone who continues to share Melissa's story...they are keeping her memory alive. Nothing makes us happier.
All of the events keep Melissa a part of our lives. But spending time with Nick and his family is what keeps us going.
We love having the boys - and had the opportunity to keep them for a couple of days last week.
Nick and Mere went to Vegas for the wedding of a good friend. Her dad got them for a couple of days then they came to stay with us for a few days.
Coming to Pamma and PopPops is kind of like going to school and having a field trip every day.
We went bowling, swimming at the Rec Center, then took them to the Mark Farner (of Grand Funk Railroad) concert. Second concert of the summer (and second concert EVER) for them. They enjoyed it, but by 10:00 they were both ready to go. Me too. Worked out perfectly.
Swimming at the Kettering Rec Center
Saving seats for cousins
Waiting for the concert to start
Love spending time with Max and Andrew!
Also had a visit from Ace - who I babysat for a short time (from 6 weeks - 4 months!)
Ace with Donny's Silver Medal. He'll be an athlete someday.
4th of July
Last time we had this much company for the 4th of July Melissa was here. Andrew was just three months old. I remember she sat on the swing on the deck and held him most of the day. It was about the time the cancer came back. She wasn't feeling well, but she and John were here. And she loved spending time with Andrew!Haven't had the inclination to have a large group of people here for, oh, the last ten years or so.
We've done a little work around the house and felt ready.
There were probably 25-30 people here, mostly family. A few stayed for fireworks - we can see Kettering's fireworks from our front yard.
First Jan (and Ron) walk in the door, then my cousin Chris. Jan and Chris were our Flower Girl and Ring Bearer in our wedding. Wow. We are getting old.
Cousin Sharon, enjoying the air conditioning and the picnic food!
Fun Uncle Tom.
Nephew Matthew - we celebrated his 40th Birthday that day as well!
And what do you know...Melissa was there too!
Matthew and Donna's boyfriend Randy shared some tunes on their guitars. They are both pretty talented!
It was a busy day - then one day off before the next crew came in for the Diana Ross concert at Fraze.
Our concert going friends. We have another 6 or 7 concerts to go to with them this summer!
Randi and Carolyn, Mange and Mary. Tonight was to see Diana Ross. Got started a little late because of lightning, then the lightning stopped and the rain started. Poured. For the first 40 minutes of the concert. Thank goodness for ponchos.
Diana Ross is 75 years old and STILL is amazing. She includes the crowd and her voice hasn't changed a lick. Incredible!!!
Plus she is beautiful!
Really enjoyed the last four days. It's only going to get busier.
Enjoy the rest of the summer...before you know it, football will be starting. Can't wait for that!
ABOUT ME
- FORT
- I changed the look again. Moving furniture takes too much effort. This seemed to fill that void. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall and havent decided if Ill ever change this, although, a new seasonal header seems like fun. At the moment the summer is winding down, Im back on chemo for my fantastic THIRD relapse (and hopefully the last!), work knows my situation so Im not sneaking off on my lunch break to get blood work done, and everyones been great. Desperately seeking great health by the time fall rolls around. Theres way too much goin on.
OBAMA/BIDEN for President!
Mom, Shannon, Julie & I conquer the 60 mile 3-Day Breast Cancer walk in Atlanta!! (Click on the photo for the recap and all the photos)
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Quilt M-I-L made from all my chemo scarves from 2003-2004
Preview
Preview
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