Before the walk I researched a little about what the walk was like, fundraised a little and had T-shirts made for our "Team". Our team consisted of me, Andrew, my mom, my dad and my sister-in-law...and of course our little Abbey-bird growing inside my belly. I remember getting off the bus at White Rock Lake and seeing so many people. I had no idea that this event was so huge. Growing up in Dallas I had heard of several fundraisers and walks such as Susan G. Komen and others but I never knew about this event...I guess you never really know about something until it hits you personally.
As we walked around the area before the walk started I looked around and just couldn't believe all the teams. I read every shirt. Walking in honor of... Walking in memory of... I walk for my daughter...I walk for my son....my niece....my grandson...my granddaughter. Stories of babies being born who only weighed 1 pound. Stories of babies being born with birth defects or other challenges. And of all the stories there are two camps. Those who walk in honor of a baby; because the baby lived. And those who walk in memory. I of course was of the latter. But what I noticed in my 'camp' was that these people, these parents and family members didn't give up after their child was taken. They didn't let what happened destroy them. They took something awful and turned it into something wonderful....they turned it into HOPE. Hope that one day what took their baby will be treatable and curable so that no other parent will have to endure what they did.
One of my favorite moments was seeing a family of 5; mom, dad, daughter and 2 sons. The kids were in high school and the family was hanging out and talking and smiling with one another waiting for the walk to start. As the dad turned around I noticed his shirt.... "I walk in Memory of Michael ~ June 9, 1992". I remember thinking "Wow! They didn't forget about their son." Even though it had been 19 years since they lost him they continued to remember him. His brothers and sisters who never met him knew of and honored him each and every year. Seeing that family brought me such comfort and I hope that we are able to do the same for Aidan.
Since 2011 our Team has grown and become bigger and bigger. Each year we have raised more and more money for babies and have included more friends and family members. The March for Babies is the highlight of our Spring. Although it is a ton of work, it is SO worth it.
Our Team in 2012...
Then Last year in 2013 we just blew it out!! I don't know what got into me but I made it my mission to focus my efforts on raising as much money as possible. If you know me you know I am SO not a sales-y person. But for whatever reason for THIS cause, for my Aidan, I had the courage to approach a zillion companies and ask for sponsorship, to host fundraising events, to provide items for raffle and auction, for anything that they could offer I would take it and figure out a way to make money from it. I got a TON of Nos. I mean a ton. Or I was just flat out ignored. But I was determined. My goal was to put us in the Top 5 Teams in Dallas. And I knew that if I worked hard enough that it was a possibility.....
And what was more, my friends and family were doing it with me! They too were asking people for donations, for help with fundraising. I couldn't believe it. I know how asking people for money, even if it is for charity, can make you feel icky and so I was (and am) so grateful for all the 'asks', for posting their link for donations on Facebook and sharing the links and information about our events.
It was because of all of our Team's hard work AND most importantly because of the generosity of so so many that we were able to raise over $18,000 last year!!
Here is our Team at the Walk....Love them All...
Well, yesterday, Valentine's Day 2014 Andrew and I got a wonderful gift... We were invited to the March for Babies 2014 kick off breakfast and were named Top 2 Family Team in Dallas AND Top 5 Family Team in all of TEXAS!! It was such an incredibly humbling and uplifting day. But, I have to say my favorite part of all of it was hearing my son talked about. I know that may sound strange, but to me the best part was having the MC talk about Aidan, talk about why we walk and our story. Because now all of those people, executives from fortune 500 companies, media from our local FOX station and various radio stations all know his name....and THAT was the best gift of all. :-)
I am so unbelievably grateful to all who helped us last year! To our family and friends and every single person and company whose heart was touched by our story and who gave their hard earned money to such a wonderful organization.
Now we are in full swing for our campaign for 2014. I don't know how in the world we will be able to top or even match what we did last year, but no matter what I know that I will have an amazing group of people riding along with me because we all know that what we are doing is so worth it!
With HOPE & LOVE,
ME
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