Soldier on Nicholas

Last October, many of you answered the call and opened your hearts and wallets to support my friend Maureen.
With our help, Mo was able to reach her lofty goal of raising $2200 to help find a cure for breast cancer by participating in the Dallas/Ft Worth 3-Day Walk.
It was one of her proudest accomplishments and a truly life changing experience.

We were thrilled when Mo, Gus and their boys stayed over night with us this past Thanksgiving.
It gave us time to catch up and reflect on our crazy lives.

With great emotion, Mo shared with us her experience on the walk which kicked off in a “Big Texas" way at Texas Stadium among thousands of other optimistic walkers.
She shared countless, incredible stories she had heard and often times witnessed along the trail and in the tents late at night as they rested their weary feet.
All this built up to the highly emotional closing ceremony held at the Fort Worth Stock Yards where there wasn’t a dry eye in the house (coral?).

When I asked Mo if she was going to walk again in 2007, she hesitated before answering.
She’d love to, she explained, but she is out of her comfort zone when asking for donations.
Fundraising for Mo it seems, was more difficult than the 60 mile walk itself!

My response to Maureen was simple and simply put.
“You gave US an “opportunity” to help a great cause.
Period.

We all have our favorite charities.
Finding a cure for breast cancer is obviously near and dear to my heart.
We all wish we could give to everyone in need.
But the truth of the matter is we can only stretch a buck so far.
So we pick and choose our charities wisely.

Now here’s the segue… (You knew I had to be going somewhere with all this!)
I present to you, a new (and wise!) “Opportunity”!

Below is a letter from our friend Nicholas Robless.
Please read on:

My name is Nicholas Robless and I have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It weakens my muscles over time and because of that, I am now needing a wheelchair to get around. I am a fifth grader at Manchester Park Elementary. I love school, computer games, Playstation games and music! I recently started playing the clarinet in the school band…I enjoy it a lot.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has done so much for children like me and families like ours. Most importantly, MDA gives us all hope by not giving up on finding a cure. For me, one of the most incredible things about MDA is its summer camp! Each year, I look forward to being just a “regular kid” at camp (I’ve been going to camp since I was six!)…we get to swim, ride horses, fish, dance, play games, participate in talent shows and just have lots of fun with good friends.

This year, I am so proud to be one of the Team Captains for the 2007 MDA Stride & Ride in Overland Park. My goal is to raise $3000 for MDA, and I know I can only do this with all of your help as Team Members and sponsors. For every $600 raised, we will be able to send a kid to Summer Camp…I’m hopeful that as “Soldiers of MDA” (yes, that’s the name of our Team!), we will be able to send five kids to camp this year! As Team Members, I ask that you set your personal goal and then, in the next few days ask your families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to help sponsor your walk and help you reach your goal. I know you can do it!

I really appreciate your kindness and generosity, and would like to thank you in advance for joining me in this special event. Just remember that it could be your dollar that helps MDA find a cure! Hope to see you all on March 24, “Soldiers.”

Your Team Captain,
Nicholas

Mike, Jordan, Nicky and I are “On the team”!
We will walk next Saturday and raise funds for the campers.
We would love, if you have any more stretch left in your buck, to give you the opportunity to help us.
“Many hands make light work” Mike’s grandma used to say.
And many small donations can send a kid to camp!

Checks can be made payable to MDA and mailed to 21217 W. 96th Terrace, Lenexa, KS 66220 in care of Nicholas Robless, Team Captain.
Upon request, you will be mailed an MDA Tax Deductible receipt or your cancelled check can serve the same purpose.

As with Maureen, Nicholas did not ask me to share his letter on my blog.
But I like to share a good “Opportunity” when I see one!

Chris

PS. Hey Mo, if you’re out there… I hope you choose to Walk again this year. I know someone who writes a blog and is obviously NOT out of her comfort zone asking for help, maybe I can put in a good word!