Thanks For Your Support!
Corporate, Organizational, & Individual Donations
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2018
Thanks to Donna White once again!
A very belated, yet heart felt, THANK YOU to DONNA WHITE for all the wonderful work she does and did to help support the Devin Laubi Foundation. She has once again taken on the task of making and selling chocolate lollipops to help support our work, aiding children with cancer. Donna is one of the most wonderful, genuine people you could have the pleasure of meeting. I'm am beyond proud and honored to call her a friend. Thank you!! Donna helped raise over $2,300 for families in need, battling cancer. My hat is off to you, my friend!!
Robin Burns
2016
The Year In Review
The year was filled with many reasons to be thankful. We are very blessed to have the most outstanding volunteers be with us every year and have a few newcomers to assist where they can. It couldn't be done without their dedication to our mission of assisting families of children with cancer.
We assisted twelve families and eight children's organizations in 2016. All of the amazing support and donations made this possible. There were more than a few surprise donations from unexpected sources. The impact these donors made on our Foundation is immeasurable. Having all this confidence in our work, means the world to us.
Lazer Gate (lazergate.com) had an ongoing fundraiser for us. They had asked customers to round up to the next even dollar amount of their purchase and they donated the proceeds to Devin Laubi Foundation. Their great idea inspired giving in the community. This event raised $800 for us, what a great surprise!! This is a great place for family fun, please support their business.
Bristol Plymouth "HOSA" (Health Occupation Students of America) created a "Lemon Challenge" for their student body and the school staff members to participate in. Each person challenged was asked to give a dollar and and bite a lemon. They came up with the idea as a cross between the "bucket challenge" and Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
A poster of paper lemons was on display with the participants' names. They involved as many people as possible and they presented us with a check for $1,000!! Great work! These conscientious students are going to accomplish amazing things. Thank you!!
Webster Bank promoted a contest they referred to as "80 Days of Giving." Their employees got to nominate a charity of choice and show how they volunteered with the organization.
We were selected and were awarded a $1,000 grant. This was awarded at a special luncheon and award ceremony. Please check out Webster Bank for your banking needs, they are great people to deal with. Thank you!
Our super volunteer Donna White for the past several years has handmade chocolate Easter lollipops to benefit the Foundation. She asks for a one-dollar donation per lollipop.
In 2016, she raised over $2,800 by getting the delectable treats into willing businesses to be displayed or being outside a business to promote our message.
If anyone is willing to help Donna this year or any other year, please contact me to get you started. Her dedication and tireless effort always amaze me. We can't thank her enough.
KC Bellavance is another outstanding volunteer! He has helped Donna in her lollipop project and takes on a personal project of growing pumpkins with his grandmother, Betsy Small. After the pumpkins are harvested he holds a raffle for them. This year he raised $160 and received a matching gift from Tim's Lawn Care of Westport. He's a fantastic example of the youth in our community, we genuinely appreciate all he does!
We were fortunate enough to receive some matching gifts from companies that offer them. If your company does this, please consider us for this valuable option. Bose and Bank Of America were the companies we received matching gifts from. Thank you.
Other business donations were received from Burke & Lamb - New Bedford, Jack's Landscapen' - Westport, and Clearwater Seafoods - Swansea, please use their services. These were also very nice surprises and definitely appreciated.
We were the very lucky beneficiary of family charitable trust funds. The Joseph E. & Francis E. Heney Charitable Trust, The Roberts Family Charitable Account, And Anonymous (Family Trust). These grants go a long way in our efforts to help more children. Their confidence and commitment to our work is heart warming.
REM, Inc. (Research, Engineering & Manufacturing) of RI had been referred to our organization, by our anonymous donor, and they made a very sizeable surprise donation to our Foundation at the end of the year. We were truly floored by their support. Thank you for your confidence in our work.
June 2015
New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Donates $200,000 in the Names of 2015 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners
26 New Englanders honored at Gillette Stadium; Robin Burns wins second prize of $10,000 for the Devin Laubi Foundation
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards place a spotlight on those who give their time to help others and exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism. Each year, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation host the awards program as part of the ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in honor of Myra Kraft's example of being a lifelong volunteer.
On June 9, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at a luncheon and awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Each Community MVP received grants for their respective nonprofit organizations. Fifteen New England-based organizations were presented with $5,000 grants in honor of their volunteers' work. Ten others received grants of $10,000 and one grand prize winner was presented $25,000.
It is truly inspiring to hear the incredible stories of each Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "Every volunteer has such a unique story about how they got involved in their community and it is very touching to learn about their impact. These individuals are making a lasting impact on a daily basis and we are excited to have the opportunity to thank each of them for their commitment. This is truly one of my favorite programs and I know Myra would be proud of the work each of these volunteers are doing."
On hand to congratulate the award winners was Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett, and Patriots players, including linebacker Jerod Mayo, tackle Nate Solder, and kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
Robin Burns of Westport, Massachusetts, was selected as a $10,000 second prize winner.
After losing her son to a brain tumor at age six, Burns founded this nonprofit organization in his memory to help support families that encounter similar challenges. For the past 11 years, she has been leading the Devin Laubi Foundation to financially assist families of children faced with cancer.
"What a great honor to be selected from all the qualifying applicants," said Burns. "I didn't personally know Mrs. Kraft, the same way the families we help didn't know my Devin. It's an interesting coincidence that their legacies live on through our respective foundations and desire to give back to those in need."
Burns serves as the main contact of the fund, handling the bank accounts, tax filings, leading six fundraisers a year and much more. Her commitment to her full-time job has never hindered her ability to support others and as a result of her commitment to the nonprofit, over 116 families have received financial support.
"This award will allow us to continue our mission, until there is a cure for this indiscriminate disease," said Burns. "This award can help ensure that no qualifying family will be denied assistance due to lack of funding. I am very proud to say that we fit the criteria set forth by Myra's example of giving back to the community."
The 2015 MVPs represent all six New England states, a variety of nonprofit organizations and range in age from 17 to 83 years old. The Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation received a record number of applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open each spring and the awards are open to all nonprofit organizations in the New England region. For more information on these awards, please visit https://patriots.com/community.
September 2015
Raw Sea Foods of Fall River, MA assembled "Team Extreme" again this year. They accepted another challenge to do our annual Bike Ride while requesting sponsorship for the event they chose to honor. The team consisted of: Ken Destramps, Skip Destramps, Gretchen Destremps, Robert Farias, Gisele Hutchens, Jason Hutchens, Kane Kendall, Ray Peters and Nichole Stahmer, with some help from Brian Maccini.
Their hard work and contagious attitude had them return to us with renewed, boundless and refreshed energy. Their commitment is exemplary, shown through their genuine hearts. We are extremely blessed. Hearing they were returning to the Bike Ride, held on September 20, 2015, and intended to exceed their lofty goals from last year, made my heart sing for the children in need. Devin Laubi Foundation is eternally grateful to each one of you. These astounding individuals presented us with a check for $10,000, after they sweat it out on the ride for all the kids in need. This level of dedication and commitment to giving, in the community, reminds us they are champions for these worthy children.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
August 2015
We were honored, with grace, to have been chosen as a recipient for a bequest from an Anonymous donor. This would, undeniably, prove to be a major turning point in our efforts for the children we strive to assist. I have met with the board, which honored us with this bequest, and feel that they respect the Foundation's mission and work. I believe that they have confidence we will achieve great things and are proud to be part of our cause. Thank you from all that we have and are.
July 2015
Break-a-Thon was held on July 26, 2015 at Absolute Martial Arts in Dartmouth, MA hosted by Bruce & Melissa Sylvia from their dojo. The annual event to showcase the talents and skills of their students was an amazing display of disciplines, outstanding achievements, courage, attained greatness, determination, passion and tribute to their instructors.
The participants showcased their skills in taekwondo and jujitsu, by breaking boards of various thicknesses, in accordance with their attained levels of expertise, with sponsorship for said skills. This was all to benefit their "adopted" Foundation, now that's community awareness!!
This is the second time that their dojo was a champion for our organization, making it their own with pride!! We are eternally grateful and honored. The initiative from your students is exemplary within the community. They approached their goals with such zest and championed for those less fortunate. I genuinely brought tears to my eyes for the young "man" that broke 28 boards (his number) for his friend that lost his battle with cancer. Watching you match that gave him the courage he needed to continue through the tears, no dry eyes need apply. Your generous heart shines, thank you for including us in your world. All photos are on our Facebook Community Page!
June 2015
Danny-Deb Golf Outing was held on June 22, 2015 at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, MA. It was another amazing day for the golfers who partook in this year's event. The unconditional and loving support extended to the families of Deb Reardon and Dan DiPierro was something to witness. Their family's boundless and unlimited love for them shone throughout the day of remembrance and life celebration.
We were extremely fortunate to be chosen as part of this spectacular tribute to their lives, as they both lost their battles with cancer, like Devin. This was extremely devastating to both of their families, as anyone could imagine, but shouldn't.
We were astounded and extremely grateful to be one of the recipients of this amazing event, in conjunction with the Diabetes Youth Organization of Southeastern New England. We are quite certain that both honorees would be proud of the organizations their families selected to be recipients of the event in their memories. We are genuinely proud to be included in such greatness.
Dianne Reardon and Dave Maynard, with their families, have dedicated their time working diligently to honor the lives that need to be honored by supporting two organizations that assist children. They always set lofty goals with a zest to be reckoned with. Golfers and diners enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on a great course, followed by delicious food. Through this event Devin Laubi Foundation was awarded about $8,700. The generosity and commitment of this family, to their loved ones and the community radiates through them.
We hope you will join them and us, next year on June 20, 2016 at Crestwood Country Club, Rehoboth, MA for another wonderful event, golf or dine. There is also the opportunity to sponsor a hole if you are unable to attend and would like to help. Thank you with the eternal gratitude that radiates from within for your continued dedication and support to these children, the Reardon and DiPierro families. Please check our Facebook Community Page for more photos!
May 2015
Devin Laubi Foundation would, again, like to thank Donna White, "our lollipop Queen," for taking on her yearly project, selflessly benefiting the children we assist. She donates her time and talent, to create her delectable treats, keeping the children we assist close to her heart. This is a woman you want in your corner!
With her tireless efforts and dedication, she was able to raise $3,100 for the benefit of those in need. Donna elicited some help from other volunteers to help sell her tasty creations. We hope you might be willing to help her next year, if she continues what has become a tradition for us. Our inspirational volunteer is a true champion for our organization.
We are truly blessed to have her represent us and be an advocate for "my Devin." My lady with a heart of gold, we thank you!
May 2014
Devin Laubi Foundation would like to thank Donna White, "our lollipop Queen," for taking on another project for the benefit of the children we assist. With all her efforts in raising funds for us, she has outdone herself again this year! Making Valentine's Day and Easter lollipops to benefit children with cancer, Donna elicited some help from other volunteers to help sell her tasty creations. Our amazing volunteer dedicated her time and talent to exceed her lofty goals, raising over $3,800 for us.
Donna approaches everything in life with a full heart and a smile on her face. She makes time to assist many organizations and is never afraid to ask for help, when she believes in the cause. There never seems to be a task too great or small for our lady with a heart of gold to tackle. Thank you Donna, for selflessly serving your community, mankind and our Foundation with such zest. The world is a better place, with people like you!
June 2014
Anonymous: We were absolutely astounded and humbled to receive a bequest from an anonymous donor that would go a very long way in assisting these very worthy families. This particular donor found what we do to fall in line with their belief system and granted us a very generous donation. Devin Laubi Foundation is forever grateful for your amazing contribution.
June 2014
Danny-Deb Golf Outing was held on June 23, 2014, at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, MA. We were very grateful to be selected, once again, to be partial beneficiaries (with Diabetes Youth Organization of Southeastern New England) of an event honoring the memories of two very special people. Danny and Deb both lost their battle with an aggressive brain tumor (glioblastoma) in July of 2008. Dianne Reardon and Dave Maynard, with their families, have worked very hard to honor them by supporting two organizations that assist children. Golfers and diners enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on a great course, followed by delicious food. Through this event Devin Laubi Foundation was awarded $8,700. The generosity and commitment of this family, to their loved ones and the community radiates through them. We hope you will join them next year on June 22, 2015, at Crestwood Country Club, Rehoboth, MA for another wonderful event, golf or dine. There is also the opportunity to "sponsor" a hole if you are unable to attend and would like to help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued dedication and support to these children.
September 2014
Raw Sea Foods of Fall River, MA, assembled "Team Extreme" again this year, to go out and take on new challenges while requesting sponsorship for the events they chose to tackle.
The team consisted of: Ken Destramps, Skip Destramps, Robert Farias, Gisele Hutchens, Jason Hutchens, Scott Hutchens, Tyler Hutchens, and Kane Kendall, with some help from Brian Maccini. Their hard work and dedication led them to return to us with a zest!
Raw Sea Foods has contributed their products to our Spring Fling over the years. We were extremely pleased to hear they were returning to the Bike Ride we held on September 14, 2014. Devin Laubi Foundation is eternally grateful to each one of you. These amazing individuals presented us with a check for $6,000. This level of dedication and commitment to giving in the community is a heart warming inspiration!!
November 2014
KC Bellavance a local teen helped sell $125 worth of Donna's loli-pops, made jam with his grandmother, Betsy Small, to raise an additional $250. Then KC raised more money from his pumpkin project, growing them himself, and presented us with another check for $325 at our Bowling Event in November. What a great kid!! We've been adopted, again, very happy about that! Way to go KC!! Thank you for all your hard work, KC, we genuinely appreciate all you've done.
December 2014
We were very pleased to have been bequeathed a donation from the Joseph E. and Francis E. Heney Charitable Trust. Their support means a great deal to our Foundation. We could not continue our work for these children without such support. One year, their support saved us from having to terminate our work. We will always remember, as their unexpected donation, literally made me cry with joy and relief. Thank you again with all I have.
April 13, 2013
Westport Babe Ruth League (westportbaberuth.com) - has adopted us as their local charity. Michelle DeGagne was the inspiration for this idea within the league. She has been a baseball coach in Westport for many years teaching the kids the fundamentals of the sport, putting her heart and soul into each child she guided. We know this first hand, because she coached Devin’s big brother, Reid and Devin would have been on her team, but he passed before the season started. Since that time, Michelle has used her own money to have the Devin Laubi Foundation as her sponsor for the team, over the past nine years. What a nice way to honor the boy that didn't have a chance to know her dedication. The Tigers won the championship this year! Michelle has three boys of her own; Dylan, Michael and Dawson, and still finds time to continue with the league as a coach and mentor. The president of the league, Chuck Wardwell, asked about the sponsor on Michelle's teams' jerseys, and it was decided that our home grown charity for kids with cancer would be represented at the playing fields.
The league had a banner made with our logo that is proudly displayed at the games, behind home plate, where Devin would have played. We were happy to be back on those fields where we spent many days and had anticipated many more. Devin's little sister, Audra (now 15), had the honor of throwing out the first pitch to Dylan, one of Michelle's boys, a "perfect" strike on that beautiful day in April. We wish all the families involved with the league as many wonderful memories as we have! Thank you for adopting us and remembering Devin.
June 13, 2013
Danny-Deb Golf Outing was held on June 17, 2013 at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, MA. We were very grateful to be selected, once again, to be partial beneficiaries (with Diabetes Youth Organization of Southeastern New England) of such a wonderful event honoring two very special people. Danny and Deb lost their battles with the same type of aggressive brain tumor (glioblastoma) in July of 2008. I was not fortunate enough to meet them, but have heard many wonderful stories about them. Their families felt they would be proud to support two organizations that support children. The golfers and diners enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on a great course, followed by delicious food.
Through this event Devin Laubi Foundation was awarded $8,700. The generosity and commitment of this family, over the years, speaks volumes of their character with hearts that remain full of love. This event was a beautiful tribute to the lives of Deb Reardon and Dan DiPierro which ended with a rare double rainbow, one for each of them! We hope you will join them next year on June 23, 2014 at Crestwood Country Club, Rehoboth, MA for another wonderful event, golf or dine. There is also the opportunity to "sponsor" a hole if you are unable to attend and would like to help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued faith and support for these very worthy children and forgotten facet of cancer care.
June 13, 2013
Absolute Martial Arts (absolutemartialartsma.com) - in Dartmouth, MA holds a fund raising "Break-a-Thon" event every year and donates the money raised to a charity. Michelle DeGagne, as a parent of students and a student herself, nominated us as this years' potential recipient for this event held in July. Our nomination was accepted by Bruce Sylvia Jr., the owner of Absolute Martial Arts. The kids had been practicing and perfecting their skills in Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu. They proved their dedication by breaking stacks of boards according to their achieved ability in their discipline. All the kids got people to sponsor them in their efforts and commitment, lending support in their time to shine. There were many participants, skill levels and ages, all with one common goal. Michelle has two boys that take lessons at the dojo, Dylan and Michael, and her youngest, Dawson, can't wait to start. Bruce and his dedicated staff rented many things to make the day fun filled; dunk tank, water slide and some skill games that awarded prizes. There was food and the good-natured staff even took cream pies to the face to raise extra funds. At the end of all that Bruce, from Absolute Martial Arts presented Devin Laubi Foundation with $3,300 raised from this fabulous event. They will be hosting another event for a very worthy cause on November 23, 2013. '1000 Kicks', here the kids will do 1000 kicks together, to raise money and collect canned goods for a local soup kitchen aiding in the fight against hunger in America. We are beyond grateful for all your time and effort in considering us a worthy cause, showing your kids how to give to those less fortunate. Your commitment to your community is to be commended!!
September 13, 2013
Raw Sea Foods (rawseafoods.com) - of Fall River, MA assembled 'Team Extreme' to go out and take on many challenges while requesting sponsorship for the events they chose to tackle. The team consisted of; Keith Broyles, Robert Farias, Gisele Hutchens, Jason Hutchens, Scott Hutchens and Alicia Thomas. Their hard work and dedication led them to tri-athelons, running challenges and cycling. Raw Sea Foods has contributed their products to our Spring Fling over the years, but we were extremely surprised and pleased to hear the new challenges they were putting together for our benefit. We were very excited to meet this dedicated team at our Bike Ride on September 15, 2013. Devin Laubi Foundation is grateful that you bestowed the honor of selecting us as a cause you can support. These amazing individuals presented us with a check for $2,450. This level of dedication and commitment to giving in the community is a heart warming inspiration, letting these kids know people care. Our most heartfelt gratitude goes to each one of you, thank you very much!!
November 13, 2013
KC Bellavance initiated a project to grow pumpkins that he would raffle off in an effort to donate the proceeds to an organization that dealt with cancer. He was initially inspired by watching the Red Sox and their work with the Jimmy Fund. KC and his grandmother, Betsy Small, contacted us last year after he read about a local boy, Haven, dealing with cancer. This article was what KC was looking for when he wanted to make his efforts more personal. He grew pumpkins last year and through our organization gave the money he raised to this child from Fall River. This year he selected us because he said we help a lot of children and we are local. In this spirit, KC raised more money from his pumpkin project and presented us with a check for $125 at our Bowling Event in November. Way to go KC!! It's really heart warming to see such a conscientious young man motivated to give back to the community and those less fortunate than himself. Thank you for all your hard work, KC, we genuinely appreciate all you've done.
November 2013
Anonymous: We were absolutely astounded and humbled to receive a bequest from an anonymous donor that would go a very long way in assisting these very worthy families. This particular donor found what we do to fall in line with their belief system and granted us a very generous donation. Devin Laubi Foundation is forever grateful for your amazing contribution.
Other 2013 News & Thanks
Donna White went 'above and beyond the call of duty,' raising extra funds through making and selling Easter lollipops. This was the third year she has done this for us, in addition to the ones she has made for past Spring Flings, raising over $3,000. Donna is a very energetic and amazing young lady with a lot to offer, luckily we benefited from her selflessness. Thank you again Donna!
Lauren Costa's family sent in a memorial donation to “pay it forward”. Lauren lost her battle with cancer this year and now they have “Lauren’s Legacy” to honor their brave and beautiful girl.
Scott Haig of Wellesley, MA sent in a very nice surprise donation to help the kids in need! We would like to send out a special thank you to the families that selflessly thought of the Devin Laubi Foundation during their time of remembrance, in June.
A very special thank you to Rogers High School of Newport, RI, who once again thought of Devin Laubi as the beneficiary for their dress down day. The students and staff typically make a monetary donation to be out of uniform and they donated the proceeds to the Foundation. Great effort and thank you again for your wonderful donation!!
We would like to thank the contributors that have utilized the matching gift programs where they work. Places like Verizon, Delta Dental of RI and CA Community Affairs Department have generously matched the gifts their employees made to the Devin Laubi Foundation. These companies recognize the importance of community and encourage their employees to do the same.
The Foundation was also fortunate enough to have other school systems think of us, by doing their own part in giving back through a dress down day. The Silvia School’s Suburban Junior League of Fall River, MA surprised us with a check recently after their successful fundraising efforts.
We received another generous contribution from the Joseph E. & Frances E. Heney Charitable Trust. We had the pleasure of meeting Donna & Ted Heney at our annual Spring Fling events. They are very kind hearted and have come on board, supporting our mission to assist families with children with cancer. It is with great thanks, due to people such as these, with their selfless acts of kindness, the Devin Laubi Foundation is able to provide much needed financial assistance to families in distress.
Thank you wholeheartedly to all those who participated and believed in what we do, assisting others in the face of cancer. Your support means a great deal to our Foundation. You made my Devin (www.mydevin.org) your own.
If any of the places you work for do similar things, please consider us as a worthy charitable organization to give to. Every donation helps. Don't forget we are tax exempt (state & federal) and non-profit.
September 2012
Would like to send a special thank you to all the participants and wonderful people that organized another successful golf outing, honoring Deb and Dan. We were very honored to be partial recipients of this very special event. Thank you doesn't seem adequate to express the gratitude felt for all your help and support over the years. I hope you will consider participating in next year's event slated for Monday, June 17, 2013.
June 2011
I would like to send out a long overdue thank you to Donna White! She has been a champion to our Foundation for several years. We were introduced through a mutual friend and she has been a presence ever since, making Devin Laubi Foundation her own with pride. Donna has spread the word about what we do and has commandeered new supporters through her dedication and tireless efforts. She has attended almost all of our events, either helping out as a volunteer or being a participant and brought her own people to support our cause. Donna has a heart of gold, a shining spirit and a smile to match! Our wonderful volunteer has always gotten donations for our events, sold tickets, posted flyers and gotten as many people involved as possible. In the past Donna has made, packaged and sold Easter loli-pops at our Spring Fling event to raise additional funds. This year she set a goal for herself to sell $1,000 worth of these loli-pops at one dollar each. She exceeded her goal with the help of her friends at Fisher Family Dentistry and presented us with a check very close to $1,600 at our next event!! She is amazing!! Donna is quite an inspiration and we genuinely appreciate all she does!!!!!!
I had been trying to find the best way to thank some very special people who took the initiative to hold a fund raising event, making the Devin Laubi Foundation their beneficiary. A very kind hearted woman, her husband and mother put together a golf tournament that was held in Easton, MA in memory of Debbie Reardon and Dan DiPierro.
They both succumbed to the same type of brain tumor, a glioblastoma. Amy and Brendan Doherty with her mother, Dianne Reardon, and their families put together a wonderful event to honor the memories of their lost loved ones. It was an absolutely beautiful day for a round of golf and a nice luncheon afterwards. They did a lot of hard work getting donations to make the day a success and fun for the participants. We were truly amazed with the lengths you went to, helping to raise $4,500, with a matching gift, and awareness for families in the face of cancer. You genuinely made our Foundation your own!
Amy, Brendan, their children and I met several years ago. I believe we were able to lend support to each other, regarding things we had been through and were going through. Their warm genuine hearts shone through with radiance, I am honored to have met them. I had also had the pleasure of meeting Dianne Reardon, Debbie’s mother. We had a very enlightening conversation and cried together for our children, what they suffered through and the pain we now carry forever. Parents are not meant to bury their children, but some of us don’t get a choice, still we do the best we can. I was also able to meet and offer condolences to Dan’s mom and widow. It was a full day of remembrance, celebration of their lives and how they touched us, still making an impact while watching over us.
We have been able to assist 41 families in need through generous donations, like your own. We still find it disheartening and discouraging to see large organizations seemingly effortlessly raise millions for research and salaries. We completely understand the need to try to eradicate these lethal and debilitating diseases. Our goal is to assist in the forgotten need for the here and now. These beautiful (bald, emaciated and sullen), frightened children suffer through the horrors of cancer therapy while their parents try to juggle doctor appointments, work, other children and paying for health insurance, co-pays, prescriptions, groceries, rent or heat etc.
Unfortunately, there is a very real need for financial assistance. This is middle class America facing cancer with their child, another harsh reality. When you get a diagnosis of cancer for your child, you’re thrown into this vortex where your decisions for your child are no longer your own and your child only wishes to return to the carefree life they knew just yesterday. Your home becomes like the hospital room you recently occupied. Meeting these parents is a very humbling experience for both parties. The parents no longer get to provide or decide and the dull, empty look in their eyes reminds you of where you were or could be in a flash.
Amy, Brendan, Dianne and their families because of their generosity have impacted many lives through their community oriented outlook.
Thank you wholeheartedly,
Robin
Memorial Gifts
Here is another amazing man who shared his own time in May 2009 and did a fundraiser with the Devin Laubi Foundation as his beneficiary. Tom Conneely lost his own brother, Michael “Pugs” Connelly, to the non-discriminating disease of cancer. Michael had liver cancer and Tom wanted to do something in his memory. His cousin lost her son, Aidan, to cancer (a brain tumor), he was a four year old cherub of a boy that the Foundation assisted and I had the pleasure of meeting. Tom is apparently very community oriented and wanted to give back to us and honor his brother’s memory at the same time. We’d like to, finally, appropriately thank this man that we never got the opportunity to meet, for his very fruitful efforts and success in raising $4,419. This was a fantastic surprise and a huge help for our small, strictly volunteer organization. Tom we can’t thank you enough for taking the initiative and becoming part of our Foundation, making “mydevin” yours!