Saturday, May 3, 2014

Why We Do It



Tomorrow we will walk in our 5th March for Babies.  As I gather things that we will need to take with us in the morning, there is a sea of swirling thoughts in my mind, some of which I thought I would share. 

Over the last 4 years, we have raised nearly $20,000 for the March of Dimes.  We do this rather emphatically, and we have no shame in repeatedly asking our friends and family to donate what they can to this worthy cause.  We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our family and friends; without it, we would not have been able to contribute nearly this much.  Someone once asked me why raising money for the March of Dimes is so important to us, since their work could not and did not save our daughter.  Truth be known, I would love to say that we have raised $20,000 for the perinatal bereavement program at our hospital, but there are many logistical issues that stand in the way of this, and we try to give back to this program in other ways. 

So why the March of Dimes?  It’s pretty simple.  Whether they realize it or not, most people know someone who was born prematurely or whose child was born prematurely.  Many preemies are quite frail and ill when they are born, and most endure long NICU (neonatal intensive care) stays before they are healthy and strong enough to go home.  The March of Dimes contributes thousands upon thousands of dollars to NICU programs, research programs and maternal health programs every year.  Their financial efforts have improved the type and quality of care available to the tiniest patients, which has increased the odds of survival.  Survival…it’s all about survival…survival of the tiniest, not the fittest….


 Quite simply, we walk because of this little girl, who made us parents and captured and broke our hearts before she was even born. 

We raise money because it gives us a positive outlet for grief-based energy.  We walk to honor Gracie's memory, and the memory of so many other tiny babies who never got to go home.  We walk to celebrate all of the babies who have grown stronger and healthier, graduated from the NICU and gone home with their families.  We walk with the hope that our efforts will prevent at least one family from knowing the unending, gut-wrenching, life-altering grief and pain of burying a tiny baby instead of taking that baby home with them.  Hope…it’s all about hope…

I won’t lie.  We will look happy and we will enjoy the day, but we will walk amid a multitude of weird grief-generated thoughts that we really cannot explain to someone who has never had them.  We will walk with somewhat heavy hearts, knowing that in the coming months we should be celebrating Gracie’s 5th birthday and first day of kindergarten.  We walk knowing that we will forever miss the important milestones and firsts.  We walk knowing that there will be an emotional crash in the weeks immediately following the March for Babies, because that’s what grief does…it builds you up and then tears you down.  People like to remind us that we have two other little girls who should erase our grief.  We have been fortunate enough to be blessed with Gracie’s little sisters, who absolutely help to heal heavy hearts.  They are the light of our lives, and we are eternally grateful for them.  We know in our hearts that the one in the Elton glasses would not be here with us if it weren’t for Gracie, but they do not completely erase the void in our hearts left by Gracie.  


As you go about your Sunday, please send up some positive thoughts for our family, as well as all of the families walking with us and all of the families whose tiniest members never made it home or whose tiniest members are currently in the NICU.  If you have supported us with any type of donation, please know that we will never be able to thank you in a way that conveys our appreciation.  If you have not contributed, please consider making even just a $5 donation.  You never know when your generosity might save tiniest love of your life that you haven’t even met yet.  

2014 Pampered Chef Raffle Winners

Thank you all for supporting our 2014 Pampered Chef Raffle, which serves as a fundraiser for the March of Dimes.  Winners are as follows:


May 1 - Digital Kitchen Scale - Deborah Bacon (sold by Kip Houseknecht)
May 2 - Round Pizza Stone -  Pete LaBlanc (sold by Jeff Houseknecht)
May 3 - Color Coated Paring and Tomato Knife set - Donna Smith  (sold by Susan Andrews)
May 4 - Stainless Mixing Bowl Set - Anita Houseknecht (sold by Stephanie Moyer)

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Pampered Chef Winners

Our Pampered Chef daily drawings are underway!  Here is the list of winners; it will be updated every few days. Numbers are selected daily using www.random.org. 

Day #1 - Large Bamboo Bowl - Ticket #1439, Suzanne Williams. (Ticket sold by Cheryl Wise)

Day #2 - Food Chopper - Ticket #1219, Gail Hampe. (Ticket sold by Harriet Moyer)

Day #3 - Large Pizza Stone - Ticket #1395, Angie Sees. (Ticket sold by Susan)

Day #4 - 12"x15" Rectangle Stone - Ticket #1379, Libby Houseknecht (Ticket sold by Susan and Jeff)


Day #5 - Stainless Mixing bowls - Ticket #1291, Jenn Shaffer (Sold by Melissa Parks)
** Bonus drawing - set of two 8-ounce prep cups and a pastry blender - Ticket #1530, Amy Noaker (Sold by Susan and Jeff)
 

Day #6 - Large bamboo platter - ticket #1498, Teresa Morris (Ticket sold by Cheryl Wise)

Day #7 - Stainless colander set - ticket #1465, Connie Coia (Ticket sold by Cheryl Wise)
 

Day #8 - Trifle bowl - ticket #1438, Sharon Narburgh (Ticket sold by Cheryl Wise)
 

Day #9 - Simple slicer - ticket #1364, Vicki Reed (Ticket sold by Susan and Jeff)
 

Day #10 - Large bar pan - ticket #1356, Cathy Runner (Ticket sold by Linda Miller)
Day #10 - BONUS drawing - set of two 8-ounce prep bowls with lids - ticket #1323, Tracie Seiberlich (Ticket sold by Linda Miller)
 

Day #11 - Prep bowl set - ticket #1313, Harriet Moyer (ticket told to herself)
 

Day #12 - 4.75 quart covered casserole - ticket #1521, Diane Bryan (Ticket sold by Susan and Jeff)
Day #12 - Extra drawing for Mother's Day - Bamboo tool turn-about - ticket #1414, Amy Lupold. (Ticket sold by Linda Miller)


Day #13 - Grill seasoning, BBQ sauce and recipe book goes to the holder of ticket #1593, Jennifer Rokicki  (Ticket sold by Susan and Jeff)
** BONUS drawing - Smooth edge can opener and two 8-ounce prep cups - holder of ticket #1381, Heather Carlin (ticket sold by Susan)

Day #14 - Jumbo BBQ Turner goes to the holder of ticket #1408, Chuck Snyder. (Ticket sold by Genie Wines)

Day #15 - BBQ tray/basket and BBQ sauce goes to the holder of ticket #1353, Mike Swartz. (Ticket sold by Linda Miller)

Day #16 - BBQ Pizza Pan Set goes to the holder of ticket #1445, Leslie Blake. (Ticket sold by Cheryl and John Wise.)
Day #17 -  Cool and Serve Square Tray goes to the holder of ticket #1352, Christy Dickinson.  (Ticket sold by Linda Miller.)
Day #18 - The Color coated tomato and peeling knives go to the holder of ticket # 1541, Adell Williams. (Ticket sold by Kip Houseknecht.)
** BONUS drawing - Set of two 8-ounce prep bowls with lids goes to the holder of ticket #1305, Sue Person.  (Ticket sold by Jeff and Susan)

Day #19 - The Deep Covered Baker goes to the holder of ticket #1509, Jeff Paulhamus. (Ticket sold by Kip Houseknecht.)
Day #20 - The large grooved cutting board goes to the holder of ticket #1516, Keri Tanger (Ticket sold by Kip Houseknech. t)
** BONUS drawing for day #20 - Scoop and drain "server" and set of two 8-ounce prep bowls go to the holder of ticket #1490, Dave Kroll. (Ticket sold by John and Cheryl Wise.)
Day #21 - The 3 piece garlic set goes to the holder of ticket #1287, Jenn Shaffer.  (Ticket sold by Melissa Parks)

Day #22 - Set of two muffin pans goes to the holder of ticket #1257, Carol Allis.  (Ticket sold by Patti Hoover)

 Day #23 - The Digital Kitchen Scale goes to the holder of ticket #1554, Fred Miller (Ticket sold by Kip Houseknecht)
Day #24 - The 1 and 2 quart batter bowls go to the holder of ticket # 1440, Ron Bierstine. (ticket sold by John and Cheryl Wise)

Day #25 - The Manual Food Processor goes to the holder of ticket #1244, Jamie Hodge. (ticket sold by Patti Hoover)

Day #26 - The Salad & Berry Spinner goes to the holder of ticket #1463, Connie Coia. (Ticket sold by John and Cheryl Wise.)

Day #27 - The Set of 3 Chocolate sauces goes to the holder of ticket #1594, Jennifer Rokicki.  (Ticket sold by Susan)

Day #27 - Extra Holiday Drawing - The Rectangle Baker goes to the holder of ticket #1263, Natalie Ulsh. (Ticket sold by Dorothy Cox)

Day #28 - The Bamboo Mixing Bowl Set goes to the holder of ticket #1351, Freda Wise. (Ticket sold by Linda Miller)

Day #28 - BONUS drawing because it's my birthday.  Mango cutter and a set of two 8-ounce prep bowls go to the holder of ticket #1591, Jennifer Fryer. (Ticket sold by Susan)
Day #29 - The Easy Read Measuring Cup set goes to the holder of ticket #1213, Harriet Moyer (ticket sold to herself)
Day #30 - The Forged Petite Paring Knife goes to the holder of ticket #1240, Wendy Riddell.  (Ticket sold by Susan)
Day #31 - Stainless Steamer Basket and Bamboo Tongs go to the holder of ticket #1248, Lynn Kerstetter.  (Ticket sold by Patti Hoover).  
Many, many thanks to all who purchased tickets and participated in this year's raffle!!  Your support of our raffle enabled us to contribute $1262.87 to Mason's Mission and $1262.87 to the March of Dimes.  We look forward to your support again next year!! 

Monday, April 29, 2013

Less Than a Week Until We Walk

I doubt that many people pop over and read this, but if you find yourself here, you've likely made a monetary donation of some kind.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

We will walk in just under 6 days to in memory of our Gracie and in honor of some other amazing little friends and family who have been in and busted out of the NICU!

Our fundraising goal this year was $5500 for the entire team.  Through Pampered Chef raffle ticket sales (they are all gone, by the way!), cash donations and the sale of $1 pin-up cards, we have raised almost $3400 this year.  I believe that puts us past last year's total, and we still have almost a week to go.

Thank you to Shirey's Outdoor Supply, Pentz's Primitives, Audrey's Shear Vintage, Thad's Place and the UniMart (they were the most fantastic surprise...around 100 pin-up cards sold!) for helping us sell pin-up cards!

If you have not made your donation yet, follow this link to do so via Paypal, credit or debit card!  This link will remain open until the end of June for those who are unable to donate before our walk on May 6th. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

March for Babies 2013 - Pampered Chef raffle

The 2013 Susquehanna Valley March for Babies will be held at Geisinger Medical Center on May 6, and our fundraising efforts are underway.  Much to the disappointment of some folks who supported our 2011 Christmas cookie sale, we decided that a 2012 Christmas cookie sale was just not in our cards.  That means we are getting a late start with our fundraising.  If you purchased cookies last year, we humbly ask that you consider a small monetary donation this year, even though your money won't buy you anything (except the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing that your donation will help save the lives of tiny babies). 



We have just released the 2013 Pampered Chef raffle tickets for sale.  This year's raffle will be in May, so there will be a few more prizes than last year (last year's raffle was in February).  If you're not familiar with the raffle, here's how it works.... 
  • Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25
  • One prize is awarded every day in the month of May, with two prizes on Mother's Day and Memorial Day (prize list is at the bottom of this post)
  • Winning number is generated daily by www.random.org; each number may only win once during the month of May.  
  • List of winners will be posted here and updated throughout May.  

To purchase raffle tickets, please contact Susan Andrews at sand0113@gmail.com  (put RAFFLE TICKETS in the subject line, please)
 

This year's raffle will be a bit different than last year's raffle.  Instead of selling just 200 tickets to benefit Team Graciebelle (last year we raised just over $1200 through the raffle), we are teaming up with Mason's Mission to sell 400 tickets.  Profits will be split between Team Graciebelle and Mason's Mission (we are hoping to raise around $1200 for each!) 

For those who are not familiar with Mason's Mission, here is a brief history...   Twins Mason and McKenna Moyer were born to our friends Stephanie and Rob in November 2012.  Mason was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and underwent open heart surgery at Geisinger Medical Center on February 7, 2013, when he was just 3 months old.  A week after surgery Mason's condition became so critical that he was transferred from Geisinger Medical Center to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).  After many touch-and-go moments, he is off the ventilator and the heart/lung machine, but recovery continues to be slow and not without other complications.  As of this post, he is expected to remain at CHOP for at least two more weeks.  Rob has had to return to work in the Montgomery area, and is able to be with Mason, Stephanie and McKenna only on the weekends.  Stephanie and McKenna are staying at the Ronald MacDonald House in order to be with Mason as he recovers, and McKenna has been a tremendous force in her twin brother's recovery.  Mason's hospitalization is quickly causing substantial financial difficulty for Stephanie and Rob, for a multitude of reasons.  We are hoping to help them offset the financial hardship, just a bit, by splitting the profits of this year's raffle with them.  When you purchase a raffle ticket, you are helping us to help them.  Please keep Rob, Stephanie, Mason and McKenna in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to recover. 


For more information or updates on Mason, please just ask!  If you would like to make a direct monetary donation to Rob and Steph, please let us know; we can put you in contact with them.   For more information about how to support or join Team Graciebelle in raising money for the March of Dimes, please visit our March for Babies team page


Photo: 2013 Pampered Chef Raffle to benefit Team Graciebelle (for the March of Dimes) and Mason's Mission.  Daily prizes in May.  Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.  For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Susan Andrews, Jeff Houseknecht, Stephanie Moyer, Linda Miller, Liz Harer, Cheryl Wise, Melissa Parks or Valley Rehab.





March for Babies - 2012






TEAM GRACIEBELLE 2012
Jen, Susan (with Kylie on board), Jeff, Jenna and Kip

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Half Way to Our Goal

Many thanks to those who have already donated to Team Graciebelle's 2012 fundraising efforts!!!  So far we are over half way to our goal of $5500.  If you have not donated yet, I ask you to consider a small donation.  Every penny counts!!  $1, $5, $10...it all makes a difference.

If you are not able to donate, please consider coming out to walk with us on Sunday, May 6th.  If you need more information, just let us know!!