Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Wednesday 5, 2014

Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2008. Mattie was in the child life playroom of the Hospital and as you can see was transforming a huge piece of construction paper into an ocean. In his ocean Mattie created fish, a whale and even a bridge made out of model magic. Crossing Mattie's bridge were several cars. Cars always had a way of making their way into Mattie's play scheme. One of the ocean creatures Mattie made that day was covered with googly eyes. It wasn't pictured here, but ironically this creature still exists today and sits in his book shelf in his room on display. 


Quote of the day: In separateness lies the world's great misery. In compassion lies the world's true strength. ~ Albert Schweitzer

The Mattie Miracle Candy drive collection runs until November 10th. This is our fourth annual drive and thanks to social media the word is out about the drive. We are getting emails, messages through Facebook, and tweets about the drive. I almost can't keep up with the requests!!! Today alone we had individuals requesting to make large candy donations..... I am talking about wanting to donate hundreds of pounds of candy, not just a bag or two!!! My joke with Peter was..... wouldn't this be wonderful if fundraising was this easy?!!! As you can see my home is starting to develop candy piles all over the place as the sorting is well on its way. 

This year we are donating candy to Georgetown University Hospital, Children's National Hospital, Children's Inn at NIH, and the Hospital for Sick Children. I am working on other local hospitals as well that treat children with life threatening illnesses and terminal illnesses. 

I am not the only one whose home has candy chaos in it! My friend Tina who is running around town in Alexandria, VA promoting this event, is also collecting the candy and sorting it. Today she collected candy at the Alexandria Country Day School. Here is her Wednesday sorting process!

Tina also collected candy at the Barcroft Sport and Fitness Center where the Aerials Gymnastics Team
practices. The team was collecting candy for Mattie Miracle. This was just one of the bags being carted out of the Center tonight!

Meanwhile in Maryland, my friend Leslie has candy chaos at her home!!! She and her daughter, Faye, have been collecting candy from their temple community at B'nai Shalom and from the American Bankers Association! The collection and sorting has been very successful this year in Maryland and the community feels so good about their participation that I hear they want to be involved in our Spring Item Drive as well! Music to my ears!

Here is a list of some of the schools and community organizations assisting Mattie Miracle this year collect candy for our Fourth Annual Drive! We are deeply grateful and proud to be connected with our DC, Virginia, and Maryland communities. 


Alexandria Country Day School (http://www.acdsnet.org/)
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (http://www.acps.k12.va.us/macarthur/)
Lab School of Washington DC (http://www.labschool.org/page)
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (http://www.acps.k12.va.us/crouch/)
The River School (http://www.riverschool.net/)
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School (http://www.sssas.org/page)

American Bankers Association (http://www.aba.com/Pages/default.aspx)
Arlington Aerials & Tigers gymnastics teams (http://www.arlingtonaerials.org/)
B'nai Shalom of Olney (http://www.bnaishalomofolney.org/)
Fairlington Dental (http://www.fairlingtondental.com/)
Honest Soul Yoga (http://honestsoulyoga.com/)
Moms Club of Bethesda-NW (http://www.bethesdamomsclubnw.com/)
Presto Valet (http://www.prestovalet.net/)
Body Dynamics INC (http://www.bodydynamicsinc.com/)