Hi fellow WAMPS as a lot of you are aware I am running the NYC Marathon to raise money for a cause that is close to my heart - Juvenile Diabetes. My daughter Brittany was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes when she was 16 years old. It was one of the hardest days of my life. My perfectly healthy child's life was about to be turned upside down. It doesn't run in our family, my daughter's not obese, she didn't eat too much candy or sweets, her pancreas just stopped working. Running a marathon is not nearly as hard as having to deal with diabetes on a daily basis. The pain my feet or muscles endure are nothing compared to the daily routine of taking care of yourself as a diabetic, pinching yourself 4-5 times a day, never leaving the house without a bag of supplies in case, worrying if you get sick, how my eyes will be affected, when you start to think of having a baby, bone density, so many things we take for granted. All funds donated to me will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to support their mission of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

For information, visit Rizzo's team page at http://jdrfevents.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=924&participantID=4011 or visit the fundraising website http://jdrfevents.donordrive.com/ and search for "Teresa Rizzo."

Thank you all so much for the support and love I have received. I truly appreciate every cent.

Team Azalea Charities raises funds for Aid for Wounded Warriors, a program that benefits combat-wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans from previous wars. Team Azalea Charities is 100% volunteers - all funds raised go to serving the wounded.

On Oct. 30th I will be participating in the Marine Corp Marathon and raising money for Azalea Charities (Aid for Wounded Warriors). Like the geek that I am...I signed up right away and got in, no strings attached. The thought of running through Washington D.C. with the support of our soldiers along the course makes me very emotional. 10 years ago our freedom was threatened and for 10 years we've had Americans go from civilians to soldiers to protect this great country we call home. 10 years of Project Enduring Freedom, because that's what it is...it endures through great sacrifice, dedication and commitment. My only tie to this charity is gratitude. Please help me in supporting our troops and this worthy cause.

If you would like to donate to Team Azalea go to Go to: http://www.azaleacharities.org/events/marine.shtml / on left you will see "How can I help?" / click - Donate then Donate now / at the top of the page you will see "Find a fundraiser" and enter Michele Grieves.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Proud to be an American,

Michele

On Saturday, Oct 1, Kathie Schaaf-Beal and her brother Fred will be "Walking to Cure Diabetes". Kathie's niece and Fred's daughter, Katrina, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2004.  With the support of family, medical specialists and others, Katrina remains a healthy, happy and normal 13 year old girl in all other respects.  However, they remain determined to do all they can to rid this terrible disease that affects so many. Please support them if you can.

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From Kath:

I’ve participated in the JDRF walk with Fred and the girls ever since Katrina was diagnosed (or shortly thereafter), and it’s always so great to see so many people coming together and uniting in support of such a great cause – eliminating Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes!

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-MA/Chapter-NewEnglandBayState4263?px=1610324&pg=personal&fr_id=1498

Thank you for your interest and support!

Kathie and Fred Schaaf Captain of the Katrina Jeanne Team

After many years as an observer, this year I have committed to riding the 32^nd Annual Pan Mass Challenge from Wellesley to Provincetown on August 6^th and 7^th. The ride benefits the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I will be in great company with 18 of my colleagues as part of Team Acadian, plus many other friends. I am asking you for your support.

 

The Pan-Mass Challenge was founded in 1980 and today raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. To date, PMC has raised nearly $270 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer, including over $31 Million in 2010. In its inaugural year in 2010, Team Acadian contributed over $88,000 to support the important cause of cancer research and patient care!!!

 

I will be riding in honor of my mother, who has been courageously battling cancer since 1995. I will never fully understand my Mom's day to day battles and the true toll it has taken. But I do know her will to survive, and beat cancer, have found a great ally in Dana Farber. As I write this, my mother is currently undergoing another round of clinical trials with Dana Farber. We are confident this next round of treatment will not only benefit her, but hopefully others.

 

I would be very grateful for your support.  Please help me reach my fundraising goal by giving whatever donation you can.  For the last 4 years, 100% of rider-raised funds have gone directly to benefit Dana Faber so any amount is helpful.  Please also remember that many companies offer corporate matching programs and if your employer does match charitable donations, please consider taking advantage of the program. 

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Warm Regards,

Ray Greco

 

Here are some details on how to make a donation.

 

1. Online (Credit Card) donations - my rider profile is located here: http://www.pmc.org/profile/RG0163 and Team Acadian is here:http://www.pmc.org/profile/TA0064
2. Checks made payable to the PMC, Jimmy Fund, DFCI, or any combination of the three may be mailed to me at: 

91 South Street

Mansfield, MA 02048

3. PMC Home Page: http://www.pmc.org/default.asp

 

Please contact me directly with any questions:

Work email: rgreco@acadian-asset.com

Work Phone: 617/850-3549

Work Mobile: 857/277-2312

Personnel email: raymondgreco@hotmail.com

Home Phone:  508/261-8775

Mobile: 508/241-8775 

Have you or someone you love suffered a stroke?

Friends and Family,

I’m training to run the 2011 Falmouth Race to benefit Tedy's Team!

Through Tedy's Team, I'm raising thousands of dollars for stroke research and education programs. That’s important, because someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of one every three minutes. And 29 percent of people who have strokes are under age 65.

This charity is very personal to me. As many of you know, my brother in law suffered a stroke almost three years ago at the young age of 40. Bob, a runner himself, was at work when he called my sister Lisa, a registered nurse and with slurred speech said "he was feeling strange". At first Lisa thought he was kidding and then quickly realized he was having a stroke. With Lisa's education and awareness she was able to act fast and get Bob the emergency help he needed. Lisa saved his life!

I’m asking for your support through your good thoughts and a generous contribution to the American Stroke Association. I am especially proud to run on behalf of Bob and any who’ve had a stroke and desperately need our help. You can run with me in spirit.

P.S. Your tax-deductible contribution, sent as soon as possible, is greatly appreciated! Every dollar makes a difference toward stroke research and education. If your company has a matching gift program, please send me the matching gift form along with your check – and potentially double your donation!

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support American Heart Association / American Stroke Association

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Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://tedysteam2011.kintera.org/falmouth/luistro?faf=1&e=4561753803
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Julie Luistro

 

Hello Everyone,
The National MS Society Rhode Island Chapter is kicking off its 24th, 150 mile cycling event - Bike MS: Ride the Rhode. I am planning to be a part of this event and I am asking you to join me in the fight against MS by making a contribution to support my effort.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. They simultaneously fund research for a cure while also helping people who currently live with MS lead more fulfilling lives. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to see for yourself all the good they've done for the MS community. More than 400,000 Americans live with MS, and your support can and will make changes in their lives.
Please help by making a donation - large or small - to fight MS. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks for helping!
Dee
Click here to get to my personal page and make a secure, online donation.
To send a donation, please make checks payable to the National MS Society and mail to: National MS Society Rhode Island Chapter, 205 Hallene Rd. Suite 209 Warwick, RI 02886. Please make sure to include my name and Bike MS with your donation!

April 17 marks the second anniversary of the fatal car crash that killed my nephew, Steven and left his brother, Michael, the driver, in the wrath of sadness, constantly trying to put the pieces of his own life back together, physically and emotionally.

Steve, had a passion for raising money to send handicapped and underprivileged kids to professional and college sporting events. He believed that these kids' lives were made better by experiencing the excitement and seeing the discipline of remarkable athletes.

Because of your support in the past, Steve's Charity has touched almost 300 kids in various walks of life. Until now, the vast majority of kids that have been helped by his Fund have been in Las Vegas, Houston and Cleveland; cities where Steve lived. The Fund's trustee would like to expand its reach into the greater Boston area in recognition of local support. My family and I are most grateful for the help of my friends in Boston who are raising money in memory of a young man in Las Vegas, that worked tirelessly to make kids' lives better. On behalf of Steve's family and close friends, thank you for your generous support!

Donations may kindly be directed to: Steven Baach Charities Fund,
345 West Cedar St.,
Akron, OH 44307-2407

Please join me for a Run to Remember Steve on Saturday, April 9 at Panera Bread in Plainville. See information noted above.
My sincerest thanks, Sandy

Sandy Sheehy
ssheehy@mindspring.com

Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,

On Monday, April 18, 2011, I will participate in the 115th Boston Marathon as a charity runner for the Parent Involvement Program, Inc. Completing the Boston Marathon has been a personal goal of mine for many years. I am working hard at my training and hoping to get your help in raising some money for a great cause!
The Parent Involvement Program, Inc. (PIP) is a 501c3, private, non-profit organization that develops, funds and executes math, science and technology programs. PIP creates fun and exciting experiences to entice students and families to get involved. As a teacher and mother of two young girls, PIP is a charity close to my heart. The program works toward bridging the gap for girls in math, science and technology. PIP also encourages parent involvement in activities so they can better understand these subjects, help with homework, and nurture their children in these important disciplines.
My goal is to raise $2000 for the Parent Involvement Program. I am very excited to be fund raising for this organization and would appreciate any of your support by making a tax-deductible financial pledge in my name. The options for donations are the following:

(1) Mail a check made out to the Parent Involvement Program, Inc. to my address:

Michele Lahah
1 Pine Tree Drive
North Attleboro, MA 02760

(2) Go online to http://www.parentinvolvementprogram.org/. Hit the donate tab on the left hand side of the main page. Be sure to reference my name when you make the pledge so we can keep track of the fund raising totals.

Thank you in advance for your support. I will keep you updated on my training progress and send you information about how to track me on April 18th!

Sincerely,

Michele Lahah

Thank you note: 

I am running Boston to support the organization Horizons for Homeless Children. http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/

Here is a little info on why I am running for the cause (from my fundraising page):

I am absolutely thrilled to be running the Boston Marathon this year to honor and contribute to a wonderful organization. Horizons for Homeless Children works to improve the lives of homeless children and their families across Massachusetts. While families are not the first thing to come to mind when we think of homelessness, tonight over 1,200 families will be staying in publicly funded family shelters in Massachusetts. Within these families, there are 1,200 children under the age of five. These children are far more likely to experience developmental, emotional, and educational issues due to the stress and anxiety of homelessness, and as an Early Intervention Specialist, I want to help.

My sister, Kate Pietrovito and brother in-law, Jim Pietrovito, have volunteered for this organization for the past five years. They have both witnessed the benefits of this organization first hand. I am proud to be able to support Horizons for Homeless Children.

Here is the link to my fundraising page: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/maura-marathon/boston-marathon-2011

Thank you for all of your support so far in helping me with my marathon training! I couldn't be where I am right now without the WAMPS!

Maura

Once again this year, Bill McGinnis and I will be running Boston on behalf of the Ian Greenblatt Memorial Scholarship Fund. Ian Greenblatt had just graduated from the Rivers School in Weston in June 2004 and was riding on the passenger side of a car with some friends when they were broadsided by an SUV in New York City. Ian, who had been accepted at Colgate earlier that year died 10 days later from injuries sustained in the crash. His father, Mitchell Greenblatt is the Director of Social Services at Wrentham Developmental Center. He is a good friend.

Each year we believe the school has chosen someone who closely resembles Ian. This year's recipient holds true to this. While Ian didn't play hockey, he was a scholar athlete who excelled academically and on the playing field.

Six Rivers students have benefitted from the scholarship fund thanks in no small part to your efforts to help us raise money and to your personal generosity.

Thank You, Joe and Bill

Thank you note: