Daniel's Big Night

If you've seen my posts about the girls teaming up with our friends at Preston's March for Energy, you know we have been busy.

In May the girls were able to participate in giving away a bike to a boy named Sam.  They raised the money for by selling lemonade and making loom bracelets.  The best part was that the bike ended up costing less than was expected, and with just a few hundred more dollars, they'd be able to purchase a second bike for another child in need.  They got to work right away and raised another $315.00 to make the full cost of the second bike!  The generosity of family, friends and neighbors who want to help has been both overwhelming and heartwarming.

The other night the second bike was gifted to Daniel, before the Wilmington Blue Rocks took the field in a baseball game.  It was a great night.  The girls were excited to be on the field, and it turns out that Daniel had no idea he would be receiving a bike of his very own.  There were smiles and happy tears all around!
Here is a link to local news coverage of the event

Have a great day~ and find a way to Pay It Forward!

{Jenn}

Sam's Big Day!

Thanks to countless donations, my daughters efforts to raise enough funds to purchase an adaptive bike for a child in need came to fruition.  At one point, we thought they would only have enough to pay for "a tire" or something.  Maybe give some money towards the cost of a bike?  We knew the cost of the bike would be $2200.00 at least.  The daunting challenge (to me) was when I knew the girls were only selling bracelets for one dollar or less.  To the girls, though, it would be just fine.  No big deal.  They had no doubt they could raise the money.

And they were right.

The day came where Sam would get his bike.  He had no idea he was getting one.  He thought he was just going to watch a 5K race.  The look on his face was priceless when he realized the bike was for him.  Pure joy.

Stephen Buenaga, Preston's dad, told the girls to remember this day.  Even when you're a grown up, you will remember the day you gave Sam a gift that changed the rest of his life, he said.  And I know he is right.

There weren't many dry eyes during the presentation of the bike...  And the girls were able to surprise Deb Buenaga, Preston's mom, with the final amount they raised, $2349.00 for that special bike!  They couldn't have done it without the generous support of so many people who wanted to help out.  For that we are forever grateful!  

Here is a link to the article written about the kids, and what Preston's March is up to these days!

Sam's great surprise is in pictures below....!  CLICK HERE for a video link to the presentation.

Have a great day~and find a way to PAY IT FORWARD :) 

{Jenn}

March On...

As parents, we would do anything for our kids, right?

Imagine that your child wanted a bike, but there was nothing available for them that would suit their special considerations.  I'm pretty sure I would be frustrated...and annoyed...

But let's say you were a really positive person who doesn't give up easily, and instead of complaining, your wheels started turning.  After some diligent research, you find the perfect bike, only it doesn't cost $99 from your local Walmart.....it costs $2300.00.  Oh, and you're going to have to build it yourself.  Sure!  No problem!  

I recently met Deb Buenaga, Supermom and Executive Director of Preston's March for Energy.  That situation wasn't a hypothetical for Deb, it was reality when she tried to find a bike for her son Preston.

Deb is an amazing mom who has turned her own difficult situation into a machine that now grinds it's wheels to produce and gift bikes to children with special needs all over the country.  I met her during the vendor show at the Garden for Hope unveiling at the Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle County.

While my kids sat and read to the therapy dogs on site at the Garden Fair, (who they already knew from their own AI duPont Hospital visits) I talked with Deb, her son Preston (who sat on his awesome adapted bike) and her friends who are board members for their organization, Preston's March for Energy.  I looked through the photos of bikes they gifted to children with special needs, and could see that their mission was very clear~to make other kids as happy as Deb's own son.  I asked her how they got started, and why it was so important to keep paying it forward:

Preston loves to go outside and be outside but he used to just sit because there wasn't much he could do. When he was smaller we had small trikes, big wheels etc... When he got bigger there were less opportunities to adapt to his needs with less expensive options. When I saw the bike on FB I knew it was what he needed, but it was too expensive to buy. That night my friend set up a fundraising page on FB and in 5 days raised $2300 for the bike. All of our bikes are bought from either Triaid, which is based in Scotland, or from Top End, which is based in Rhode Island. The bikes are shipped to Brandywine Cyclery, which is located in N. Wilmington and they build the bikes for us. Then we deliver them!

Could that be any more awesome?  After those Facebook friends extended a kindness to her son, she instantly knew she wanted to pay it forward.  Now Deb and her husband go all over the country gifting bikes to children who would be sitting on the sidelines otherwise.

Even though I was a special education teacher before having my own kids, I had not had experience with Mitochondrial Disease, and really didn't know anything about it.  So I came home and jumped on their website to understand it better.  Click here for the nutshell explanation of Mitochondrial Disease.

Or just listen to Jack Black...who doesn't love Jack Black?

Preston's March has a fundraiser coming up, and if you are moved to do so, consider coming out to the event below, or make a donation to help a child experience the freedom of riding a bike!

Deb, you are an inspiration, and I'm so glad I got to meet you that day and make a new friend :)

Click below for event information on their upcoming event:

Corks and Cookies

November 8, 2013

Arsht Hall, University of Delaware

2800 Pennsylvania Ave. Wilmington, DE 

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Gourmet Hors d'oerves, wine tasting provided by Kreston Wine and Spririts and Moore Brothers Wines, silent auction music.  Local pastry chefs compete for the Top Cookie Award with their cookie extravaganzas!

Celebrity Judges include Lt. Governor Matt Denn, The Honorable Jane Brady, Richard Killingsworth, DPH's Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,; and Dr. John Gould

Join us for the fun and cheer!

Have a great day!

{Jenn}