THANK YOU ALL

Remember this?  

Probably not because surely I didn't talk about it enough.  Well, it was great.  And you all are great.  Because I know there were a lot of you there, AND I know a lot of you who weren't there were thinking about Sammy on May 19.  So, thank you.

Today, we had an evaluation meeting.  I'm so excited for next year.  We learned so much and are going to work on a few things to make it even better.  Can it be better?!  Sheesh.

Many of you have asked about final numbers.  I don't have the final numbers because we are still waiting on this and that and the other thing.  But roughly, we know we raised close to $18,000.  What?  Yes.  I'll say it again....close to $18,000.  You all did that.  YOU.  So, thank you all!  What does this mean?  This means that we will have money to cover two sessions of therapy.  And I just happen to think that is more than awesome.

Thank You to our Sponsors!
Amato Pizzeria (www.amatopizzeria.com 408-997-7727)
JM Williams Accountancy  (www.jmwac.com)
Kevin Calvert DDS/Christopher Walton DDS (http://www.calvertdds.com/)
Saputo Cheese (http://www.saputousafoodservice.com/)
Jim Pojda: Alain Pinel (www.jimpojda.com)
R. Martin Judd DDS  (408-377-3366)
The Learning Map (www.thelearningmap.blogspot.com)
Motif Spa (http://www.motifspa.com/)
Leonard Peterson DDS   (408-873-8484)
Diamond Fence Company  (http://www.diamondfenceco.com/  408-374-4282)
Araujo's Mexican Grill (3070 Senter Rd  408-300-0814)
Elo Photography (www.elophotography.com)


Thank You to the Businesses who made in-kind donations:
Elo Photography, Sunshine Graphics, Grocery Outlet South San Jose, Noah's Bagels, House of Bagels, Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Nob Hill, Safeway, Alhambra, Saputo, Road Runner, Sports Basement, Fast Signs

We'll see you next year!

Sweatin' for Sammy Preview

Sweatin'

I have been so not good at keeping our blog updated since being here at therapy.  I truly believed I would...but this time has been much different.  I have struggled with feeling sick.  I have been planning parts of YW Camp from here.  AND, I'm trying the best I can to help Diane plan Sweatin' for Sammy again. 

Sweatin' for Sammy.  I'm not even the "event coordinator" and it stresses me out beyond belief!  Sweatin' for Sammy -- yes I'll be doing it while I run the 10K that day with her in the stroller, BUT I'm doing plenty of pre-sweatin' as we plan.  Seriously.  I'm starting to fear that people won't register.  That no one will show up.  That sponsorships won't pull through.  That we won't get all the food and water we need.  That it'll be a wash.  And it  S T R E S S E S   me out.  I have people here who know people in California...and they're sending emails out...but this whole business is scary.

On another note, Samantha's been doing really well.  I'm proud of her.  Four weeks is a long time and I think she's tired and done.  She can hang in there...it's her last day after all.  And, we've already scheduled her next session for August.  I did take videos yesterday that I meant to get posted, however, Marcus came in town and we celebrated his birthday, and I was just happy he was here.  Videos will come later.  Perhaps even when we get back home.

The point:

Life is good.

Register for Sweatin' for Sammy -- and recruit a friend, or 50, with you!  Go to the website  www.sweatinforsammy.com before prices go up! 

Chevy's Success

For those who have not heard, our Chevy's fundrasier for Samantha this past Thursday was an incredible success.  I was so overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support for our little girl.  Many who could not attend sent checks or cash as a way to show their support.  Some ate at Chevy's for lunch and dinner!  You guys are incredible.  We have amazing friends.  But, also, for those who didn't even know us but came anyway...wow.  And thank you!

I had told Chevy's that I thought there would be a lot of people.  I'm not sure they believed me.  They were understaffed for lunch, so our friends politely waited.  Take-outs were abundant!  And dinner.  Woa, let's just talk about dinner.  I couldn't believe how many people were there.  Thank you thank you thank you!!!  We didn't eat dinner that night, just showed up and talked with people.  As I said earlier, it was an overwhelming experience to be surrounded by those we know and love, and to meet new people who wanted to know more about Samantha and this cause they were helping.  Fantastic and humbling.

This was a difficult fundraiser for me.  Back in high school, I led a lot of fundraisers, but never one for my own family.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  During a time when I've felt frustrated and discouraged about different things, I have felt the love of the Lord through the hundreds of people who have been rallying around Samantha and our family.  It's a feeling I've only felt once before this stronly -- the morning we sat in the "family waiting room" while Samantha had her head surgery.  At that time, when I was struck with panic and fear, I felt myself be lifted up in a way that felt as if I was physically being lifted in my seat.  I attribute that experience almost 5 years ago to the prayers of our friends and family -- many of who were at Chevy's last Thursday.

There is no way I can thank everyone personally who attended or ordered food that day.  So, in a small attempt to express our thanks, I had thank you notes on all the tables with a family picture.  At the front desk, there was another thank you note...unfortunately at dinner the manager didn't pass them out like they did at lunch (at lunch, the waiters put slid the notes in with the checks).  I don't have a copy of those notes anymore...I wish I did so I could put it in Samantha's scrapbook -- but for those who attended, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

And, for those who are curious.  That day, we brought in almost $4,000 worth of business to Chevy's.  That means, Samantha will receive a check of $989.33 towards her therapy!  Chevy's was very happy -- they even want to do it again for us in June.  I think we'll pass, but it was flattering nonetheless.

 

Catchy Phrase

Well...after some discussion and some pretty awesome suggestions...I think Marcus and I came up with a little phrase that we like for the 5K (if this really happens.  there were a few kinks with the city, but we are working them out -- hopefully.  i'll keep you posted)

We wanted something fun (not too dramatic) that had a little ring to it.  We tried to do some alliteration...played around with a few things...laughed...and we came up with:

Sweatin' for Sammy

So, whether people will be running or walking...it's all because they love little Sammy.  Even if they don't know her but only come because a friend roped them in...that friend is coming and still sweatin' for Sammy.  Right?  Anyway.  We're excited to get going.  I hope this all works out. 

Last night thinking about it, I got a little emotional thinking about all of us there, for Samantha.  I was telling Marcus some of the updates from our friend who is organizing it, telling him it didn't look so good.  He said, "Jenny, can you imagine it though?  I mean, everyone would be there for her...cheering her on...wearing shirts for her...it's something we would NEVER forget."  It would be pretty amazing.  Lately, we've read some information about Samantha's diagnosis and her profile match up with some things related to early death.  It's been hard for us.  We've had to rely on our faith (and doctor's opinion -- who can't ever be 100% anyway) to find peace about everything.  And, let me clarify here: We're not expecting her to die tomorrow or even next year.  She very well would be a young adult if she matches up with these cases.  So, last night I was thinking about that -- and if we were able to do this run, how cool of a memory would that be one day?  I don't know.  I said we didn't want our little logo to be dramatic, and listen to me now.  Anyway...

We'll keep you all posted on if/when this thing goes down. 

what would you do?

Say someone wanted to do a 5K for your child, to raise money for a therapy, and you were responsible to come up with a logo of sorts for the t-shirts.  (sigh)  Say you were also someone who wasn't all that creative, so the pressure of this somewhat sent you into a whirlwind of confusion.  (SIGH)  I'm so excited about the prospect of this, but I really don't know where to begin. 

Where would you start? 
What images do you think of when you think of Samantha?
What's a phrase that's catchy and ... good?

Any input, at this point, is much appreciated and very beneficial.  Now I Can already uses "Running to Walk" for their annual 5K...which I love.  But...hmmm.  Ideas I have thus far:

"Team Sammy"
"Team Samantha"
"Team Sammer Jammer"
"One Little Girl Leaving a Big Footprint on the World"
"Running for the Samsquatch"
"Run for the Jammer"
"Little Head, Big Heart"  (um, ok, maybe not)  But we could say...
"Little Legs, Big Heart"  (I don't like that much either)

or...how about...

Running for a Miracle, Running for Sammy

oh.  i need help.

Contributions

People have voiced their desire for me to have a place they could donate since many can't attend our day of eatin' at Chevy's.  Rest assured, we will have other fundraising events throughout the next few months, but if you cannot attend and would still like to donate, you can do so through this paypal site or contact us directly.  Thank you, everyone, for your love, prayers, and support -- not just now -- but over the past 5 years.  We love you and give prayers of gratitude for you daily.

Fundraiser at Chevy's

WARNING:  Some of this is repetitive.

Born with a grim prognosis, Samantha has proved to many doctors that there's a lot packed into her tiny frame! They marvel at her progress, but she still has a long way to go. In addition to her regular physical and occupational therapies, we've recently begun an at-home therapy that we do with her, and we have seen fantastic progress, as many of you know already. But evenstill, we feel like there's more to do.


When we came across "Now I Can," an intensive therapy site in Orem, Utah, we immediately felt like this could benefit Samantha. And, after our own research, those feelings have become stronger.

from their website (http://nowican.org) 
"Now I Can is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to helping disabled children reach their greatest potential. Now I Can has combined the most effective methods of physical therapy with the most outstanding therapy team — making our therapy unique and sought after by families across the country. [....] This effective therapy involves performing exercises over an extended period of time — 5 days a week for 4 hours a day. [....] Studies have shown that a 3-week session of intensive therapy helps a child realize the same goals it would usually take a full year of traditional therapy to achieve."

Samantha's physical therapist in Washington said that Sammy would be a good candidate for intensive therapy, but at the time our PT felt Sammy was too young.  We feel like now is the time. We are in the process of saving and raising money to pay for Samantha's therapy (working, selling items on eBay, scrimping, fundraising, praying) -- this therapy in addition to the therapy we are doing at home -- and plan to have at least one event in late spring/early summer.

Sooo...how many of you like eating at Chevy's?!  Because on Thursday, April 7, 2011 you can come to the Chevy's on Almaden Expressway in San Jose.  25% of your purchase will go directly towards Sammy's therapy!  They have opened ALL DAY for Samantha.  So, come LUNCH, come DINNER, or TAKE OUT.  25% of it all goes to our little Sammy. 

I sent out an email to some of the locals here, but if you are a local and you didn't get an email, leave your email address and I'll send the flyer to you.  You MUST have the flyer when you order your food in order for Samantha to get the money.  I'll email you the flyer.