It Was Awesome. Totally and Completely Awesome.
Mom and I arrived at “Christ The Good Shepherd” Church about 2pm and we got to participate in the “transformation”. It was something to see, something to be a part of!
It started as a large area for receptions – stark and empty.
Then “The Team” took over… John & Mitzi R and Maria and Joseph (2 of their 3 children), Paula S and daughter Bella, Jeannie & John R, Ellen V, Laurie P, Josie & Bill E, Randy & Sharon P, Sean G, Pat S, Holly N, Stacie & Nate G, Hazer W, Vivian H, Nancy W, Russell T, Sam H… and My Mom.
We brought out tables and chairs and tablecloths and decor…
When finished, it was Spectacular… The theme was “Italian” and the decor reflected a quaint Italian restaurant, complete with the solid red and green, and the red and white checkered tablecloths. There were centerpieces made of the large cans of tomatoes used in the sauce – cleaned (of course) and stuffed with green, white and red tissue paper and accented with green, white and red balloons (colors of the Italian Flag). Very Creative! The music (supplied by Laurie P) was very apropos – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, et al!
There were balloons Everywhere! Red, Green and White! And – of course – Pink and White (colors for breast cancer and bone cancer).
The meal consisted of pasta, and sauce (either Italian sausage or meatless), garlic bread, salad, tea or water and a selection of desserts (brought by the volunteers). Each table was set with a bowl of pesto and grated cheese. The meal could be eaten there, or there were “to-go” boxes available. Seating was for about 100 at a time, and there were also many “to-go” boxes sold.
I had special Teeshirts made for the Volunteers, and we also had Teeshirts (to sell) with “I Helped Someone Survive Breast Cancer” on them. Thank You to ScreamingTees for the Teeshirts!
Donna M made some Lovely crystal bead, pink ribbon cell phone dangles – they were Beautiful and sold well!
There were 10 or 12 FULL tables of items for Silent Auction! My co-workers brought items and got gift certificates from local businesses; Audrey R made 3 gift baskets of specialized items (baking, spa and safety), and Laurie P had an Italian “Mystery Box”. Josie E went to the Master Gardener at Mercer Botanical Gardens and got some plants donated to sell. Nancy W donated some of her handmade pottery. Personal friends who donated to the Silent Auction were Jim H, Zach M, Donna & Mike M, Virginia & Dean O, Crystal G, Stephanie U and Ms. P. Their gracious gifts were Much Appreciated!
Towards the end of the evening, Tom (my boss) held a Live Auction of the Silent Auction items that had not sold. That man is So Funny – and he got Everything sold!
My Dad drove in from Corpus Christi to attend – that was Awesome! Personal Friends who attended were Carol and son, Zach; Christy & Bill; Crystal & Ryan and friend Stephanie; Julie & Mick, Donna & Mike; Donna & Joe; Jim & Sheryl and son, Preston; Tim & Dawn.
The total raised for my treatment / recovery was $8,474.50 – the Silent Auction alone raised $1,520.50! This was more financial assistance than I had ever considered. The spiritual and emotional support from this was immeasurable.
All this started as an idea in John R’s head, to do something for me. From someone I work with, to do something to help me with my situation, with my financial struggle. An idea that was supported by others within my group and grew. For me. Still difficult for me to comprehend that my co-workers, who have known me for only a year – and some for less, did this for me.
John’s mother came up to me and told me that this was the first time that Christ The Good Shepherd has ever allowed something like this to be done, for an individual, and I imagine for someone who was not a member of the congregation… What an honor for me to know this, what an honor for me to know that this Church thinks so highly of John to allow this.
Thank You is just not, and never will be, enough.
This event was "dreamed up" by my co-worker, John R. With the support of other co-workers, it grew and became something I will never forget, and am proud, and humbled, to have been associated with. "Thank You" will Never Be Enough.
103 Photos
Here’s the Teeshirts we had…
(others played)
Comments
It’s Tough writing this Blog, each letter I type is a reminder of my situation and the fight I am fighting, the fight I do Not want to be a part of, but I am… the fight that I Hope to win, the fight which I Might loose.
A fight in which I am not alone, yet I am very alone.
Sometimes it would be easier to forget and simply retreat into a cocoon of denial… but I can’t, I Need to write, I Need to feel that I am Somehow making a difference with my fight.
I Hope there are people who are reading this Blog, I have people tell me that they are, but I really don’t know. I find it interesting to note those “friends” who have pulled away since my diagnosis… or those who “can’t bring themselves to read” my Blog because it’s “too difficult for them”. Well, lemme tell you just how difficult this is for Me. I’ll go through this nightmare without you.
I want to Thank those who have left comments… my Real Life Friends who stop by and take a few moments to leave me words of encouragement – Christy W, Crystal G, Amber H, Marianne M, Katherine R… people who I have met via online groups – Bridgette M… people who I never met, but who have gone out of their way to leave me a few words – Gina M, Karin W… and All the people who have donated money for my treatment and recovery and left comments of encouragement with their donations… yes, the money helps ease my financial stress, but it’s Not just about the money, it’s about the Comfort and Power of Prayer.
You all Have No Idea what your support means to me. At this time, when it’s So Very Tough for me, I cherish each and every word you share with me. They bring me Much Comfort.
When I come up here to write, and there are no new comments – which is more often than not – I seek out your words and re–read them for comfort. If they were paper they would be tattered from use, tear-stained and imprinted with my gratitude…
Thank You.
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