Fundraising Flamingos Filched!

Can you believe it? Our feathered friends have been filched from right under our beaks! 

We were using these brightly colored lawn ornaments to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  For a donation of $25.00 our Relay for Life team, CSI-The Cure,  has been going around placing approximately 20 of the pink-plumed birds in people's yards with the hope that the recipients will 'pay it forward'.  

But now our plumages have been pilfered!  It's as though our pledges have been purloined! Simply preposterous! 

Who could have formulated such a feat?  Will our flamingos remain forever in flight?  

Seriously, although it's upsetting to have the flamingos taken, the reality is that the donations raised from this fundraiser would have gone towards Cancer research and other wonderful programs provided by the American Cancer Society.  Hopefully, the pranksters will return the flamingos to their rightful owners who can then continue to 'Flock for a Cure'.  (Click to read last year's post).

A Parent's Worst Nightmare

One windy morning in late December my friend's daughter was driving down the road probably thinking about all the things she was going to do that day.....like where she was going to meet her sister for lunch and will her boyfriend be surprised when he sees his birthday present? What she probably wasn't thinking was about how her boyfriend would keep calling and calling her on that fateful day or about how her father would be waiting in a hallway day in and day out during her recovery, or about how her sister was going to become one of her biggest advocates or about how her mother was going to receive the news her youngest daughter was in an accident .

A parent's worst nightmare!

This lovely young lady was involved in a 2 car accident when her car hit black ice and collided with an oncoming car. She lays in a hospital bed in a trauma unit with her family so very nearby her side praying and waiting for her to wake up.

A parent's worst nightmare!

So many lives changed in the blink of an eye. Worrying and hoping for their daughter's recovery. Tending not only to their daughters, but to their families' and friends' concerns as well.

A parent's worst nightmare!

Wanting their child to hear their words, "We love you and always have. We have been proud of your hard work and perseverance."

A parent's worst nightmare!

Please pray for these parents, their daughters, their families and ALL those who love dear Ally!


If you would like to donate to help with medical donate to:
The Alexandra Smith Foundation
P.O. Box 383
Walpole, MA 02081

OR attend Rally for Ally
Finnegan's Wake
February 12th from 4-10 p.m.
Cost $20.00

Astechs

It seemed only a year ago that 14 of us (ranging in age from 23 to 49) started on the road to complete a Master's program. Unsure of who we would meet, how we would get along and the work load of the program were the challenges we all secretly thought about.

Right from our first meeting it was clear that we had a group that was sure to bond! When our professor (Mads) said that we would be entwined in each other's lives no one believed her. Well, I am happy to say that we have celebrated a wedding, 2 engagements and countless birthdays. We have listened to tales of family successes and challenges. Professionally, we have weathered the uncertainty of assignments and given numerous presentations in front of one another. We have laughed, laughed and laughed with one another during class and out at dinner. All the while, thinking: "Gee, Mads was right!"

Our little cohort is now facing the last 2 classes of our program. The question will become: will we stay together or go our separate ways.....I will predict that we have created a bond that will remain.

Working with one another through the learning process, our cohort is "Cutting the Mustard".

"Flocking" for a Cure

Our Relay for Life, Team CSI-The Cure team has decided that we would like to raise money this year a little differently. By using a 'flock' of flamingos we not only put smiles on people's faces but raise money for the American Cancer Society at the same time.

How it works: For a $25 donation to the ACS we will go to the home of your choice (within reason) with a flock of 20 birds....larger donation....more birds! The birds are left at the home 'under cover of darkness' with a note stating who sent them. We go back within 48 hours to retrieve the flock and bring them home (or hopefully send them to someone else's home).

Reasons to send: The flock is a great way to say: Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, Happy Mother's Day or just for Fun!

We have been having a lot of fun delivering the flock on delightful days and dreadful nights (pouring rain), down dandy streets as well as dangerous drives. We certainly have a story to tell.

In this way, by raising over $3000.00, Team CSI-The Cure is 'Cutting the Mustard'.

Thanks Team!