The Walk- Friday 6/26/09

Hey Friends,

On Friday my fantastic Aunt, Uncle and cousins drove me to the airport. I flew to Chicago and met an amazing woman on the flight, she really helped to calm my nervous. Upon landing in Chicago I took my first taxi cab ever! It was awesome I felt like a big city girl. Once arriving at the hotel I ran out to go to a reception dinner that I was invited to go to because you all helped me exceed my fundraising goal. There I met my amazing new "god-family" Gayle, Christine and Alicia. The reception had delicious food and delightful cookies.

After the reception dinner we went to view an HBO premier of a documentary of a parents story of losing their son to suicide. The title of the documentary is "Boy Interrupted", and it was amazing! It was very raw and true. There were many points that my mouth dropped at the comments made and there were so many tears shed. After the premier the mother of the amazing boy who lost his life to suicide had a question and answer session, and a psychologist and a host was with her on stage. They were very honest, and spoke from the heart.

It was a great night, with lots of tears, but many smiles because of meeting great, passionate people.

My Uncle Curtis, Aunt Deb, Cousins Brian, Brittany and David

Robert Gebbia, The head of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The host, Mother Dana Perry, and the psychologist

The Walk-Disclaimer

Hey Friends,

We did it! Thank-you all for your support, on Sunday morning at 4 a.m. I walked across the finish line with my amazing friends Gayle, Christine and Alicia. Because of all of your support, you made this possible. This past weekend we raised awareness and saved lives.
Before I explain the walk, and all the occurrences this past weekend, I must let you know I am still awaiting some great photos because sadly as I landed in Chicago, I realized my camera was out of juice. Luckily my awesome friend who I met through this amazing walk, Christine had a camera. Through the walk her battery was running low so we went for plan C and Gayle took pictures with her camera phone. There as not as many pictures as we all would have liked because we all had to take them sparingly. I promise to add pictures to the website as I receive them. Again thank-you all for making this possible!

Details To Come

Hey Friends,

I just got back from the walk. I will have details to come and many pictures to share. Please check the site out tomorrow as I will have many stories. It is late and I have to call it a night, as well as un-pack. Thank-you all, we're saving lives!

Theraputic Quote/Photography

Hey Friends,



This is a quote from the pastor at my cousin's wedding. I believe it has many meanings. For me it is that through life the true love means you must sacrifice things. I love my mother, but there was an illness blinding our love for each other. Her life was not taken out of sacrifice, but was taken for reasons that I will never know. This journey of grief I've learned that I need to hurt so I am able to heal. I believe that through this I am sacrificing my joy, so that one day I will be truly happy with no ignorance along with it. Love truly is a sacrifice in many forms.

" Love, the real love, is sacrificial."

Week 19

Hey Friends,

I hope you all had a great week. This week was not as busy as past weeks. I had hopes of doing a fundraiser this past Saturday in the form of a yard-sale. But Saturday was my cousin's wedding, and my boyfriend was the photographer. I though I would have time to squeeze the yard-sale in the morning but was unsuccessful. Sorry guys.
At the car wash everyone did a great job advertising the foundation, as well as my web-site. I checked it out and it's been viewed over 50 times this week! Thank-you all sooo much.
This week I will be working out like crazy, and getting all the supplies I need for the walk.
Thank-you everyone that are making this possible. This has been an amazing journey for me, one that has helped me grow. Of course that is just a bonus for me because the true reason for all of this is to save lives. I'm truly honored to help all of people that need our help. Thank-you all that have helped to make my mother's death into such a positive thing, thank-you.

Car Wash Photos

Hey Friends,

We were so busy with the car wash that we weren't able to take many pictures. The first left hand one is a shadow picture of my Aunt and I holding signs and yelling at folks to come to the car wash. The second picture is of my Uncle Curtis, Bryan and my nerdy boyfriend in action washing a car. The third picture is of David posing by a car he washed. When that corvett pulled up his eyes were beaming. The fouth picture is of my Uncle Mark and his large truck that we washed.

Thanks to all that came and supported this cause!

Car Wash

Hey Friends,

The car wash was awesome! I had so many friends come out and help me, thank-you Rob, Jessica, Andy, my Uncle Mark, Uncle Curtis, Aunt Deb, Brittney, Bryan, David and of course my nerdy boyfriend Tim.
Thanks to my loud mouth friends and family we were able to get many car's attention by yelling and jumping. Our spirit stayed alive through it all. I don't know if some people just came in to get us all to stop yelling or truly wanted their car washed. All in all it was a great day!
Thank-you soooo much to all of those that came out. I was so happy to see all the support, there were times that there was a line. My cousin did a total and after the day was done we had a total of 27 cars washed, and my friends, together we raised $300.00 dollars!
Without all of you guys this would not be possible. Because of your generosity you are saving lives. Thank-you all for helping me turn my mother's death into a very positive thing. By saving others so they don't have to walk this journey of sorrow. Thank-you.

Week 18

Hey Friends,

I hope you all had a great week! This week was busy getting things ready for the car wash. I had passed out many flyers and letters. Thank-you very much to Giant, Panera Bread, and Al's Pizza for letting my flyers be posted at your restaurants/stores.
I met an awesome guy at the YMCA who gave me a donation this week, thanks George! I owe a BIG thanks to Rob Golden, without him I would not have the courage to do this fundraiser. He's been my cheerleader the whole way and is truly dedicated to helping people. Thank-you Rob, for giving me the courage to go out there and help people and find my passion in helping!
I have many helpers for Sunday, thank-you all so much for volunteering to help. With all of you helping it shows you dedication and support for suicide prevention, and your drive to help end the stigma to suicide and mental illness.
Well my friends I hope to see all of your smiling faces on Sunday (June 14th) at Metro (old Commerce) Bank from 11:30-3:30. I hope you all have an awesome week, and thank-you to all that are making this possible!

Car Wash to Save Lives!

Save The Date:

Sunday, June 14th - Car Wash at Commerce Bank

Starts at 11:30 and ends at 3:30

Bring your cars to support suicide prevention and break the stigma!

Week 17

Hey Friends,

I hope you all had a great week! My week at the beach was fun, but I am glad to get back to raising money for this awesome cause. I talked to one of my fellow team members for this walk this past Monday. We talked about the walk and how many amazing people we have met along this tremendous journey.
I am sorry to say that the Zumba fundraiser will not occur. Though there were many that wanted to help with this fundraiser, the timing just did not work. I would like to thank all those who supported this cause and were willing to give up their time, thank-you very much!
The little town that I live in is holding a community yard sale on Saturday June 20th. What better way to do a fundraiser? I've called some friends and family and asked if they had some un-wanted items they would like to donate for the yard sale, and they said they would look. Thanks guys!
This week I will get back to kick-boxing and eating healthy. As well as getting things ready for the next fundraiser on June 14th, the car wash at Commerce Bank. Bring down your cars to help support suicide prevention and help end the stigma.
I hope you all have a great week! Thank-you all so much, because of your support you are making this possible!