Be Bold, Be Bald!

This year, I'll be participating in a fundraiser to raise money for cancer research, patient care, etc. through a project called Be Bold, Be Bald! 


I'll be wearing a bald cap all day and I've set my fundraising goal at $150. If we can meet that, great! If we can go beyond that, awesome! And I say "we" because this is a team effort. I'll be wearing the bald cap but I need sponsors. 


I can't imagine there still exist people whose lives haven't been affected, in some way, by cancer. If there are, realize how blessed you are. I've had family and friends who have fought cancer and I've lost family to cancer. And, I know he wasn't a human, I've also lost a dog to lung cancer. Now, the fundraiser is for research/care for cancer in humans, but I was trying to illustrate my point. 


So, I set the bar low, I think. If I get 30 friends with $5, well, this will be easy as pie for all of us. If I get 15 friends with $10, that works too. If I get some friends with $1 and some friends with $10, and some who aren't feeling the effects of the economy right now with $30, well, hey we are on a roll. 


HOW CAN YOU HELP FIGHT CANCER?


Go to my Be Bold, Be Bald! 2011 fundraising page:  http://beboldbebald.kintera.org/MaddieDatANTS

Reflections on Maddiepalooza

I've had a few days to reflect on Maddiepalooza and I am still in awe of everyone who worked so hard to pull it together and everyone who came out to support me as I prepare for this next part of my journey.

This fundraiser was pulled together in just three short weeks. With the persistence of my mother, two local newspapers got involved to do stories on it. My friend, Lisa, recruited bands to play. They both found people to donate food, drinks, decorations, and to help set up and clean up.

People donated items for a raffle and for an auction - and they weren't small prizes either. My friend and mentor, Vance, donated a week at his time share. The auction raised $600 - amazing, I think, because no one knew beforehand that this auction was taking place. I think that's amazing, that people were willing to put forth that much money on the spot... because they wanted to support me! :)

And the people who were there - there were so many surprises! My very first pastor, Michael, and his wife came up from New Jersey. It was so good seeing him after ten years! My mentor and former interim pastor, Matt, came by with his wife, Allison. Matt joined Trees of the Field to sing a few songs. And of course, Vance and my current pastor, Deborah, were there. It was so great to have so many people I admire there to support me.

My family, friends, and church family were all represented too! Most of the girls from my youth choir came with their families, the members of youth group who hadn't already left for school were there as well. Many other church families, family friends, and some of my friends from work came as well.

I am just blown away by how much love and support everyone has shown me. I talked a little bit about how everyone giving just a little bit ends up being a whole lot, and that with that, I can go on to show that same kind of overflowing love to others. I just can't get over it, this overflowing love of God that I get to experience all the time.

Thank you to everyone who came out, who supports/prays/thinks of me as I continue on this path that God has called me to. I love you all!

Tag Sales and Tea

Hi all,

Just a reminder for the Last Minute Tag Sale!!

I've been pricing all day since I got out of work... I just stopped at about midnight and am loading up the car to bring it all to my aunt's driveway in the morning...

Remember

Last Minute Tag Sale

9 AM - 2 PM  (Saturday, August 13)

48 Harrison Road in North Branford

There's tons of crafts stuff, fabric, video games, movies, books, accessories, misc. household items, and more! There's also going to be some handmade items.

All the money we raise tomorrow will go into my graduate school fund.

But now I'm going to have a cup of tea and go to bed...

Photo: We Heart It

Peace,

Maddie