SOLD!

Sabres tickets were sold! Thank you.

Sabres Tickets Available

Thanks to a generous donor, we have 4 Sabres tickets to sell to benefit the Gardner Family. The game is for Sat Nov 26th, which is a sold out game. If you or someone you know might be interested, please see the following link. http://rochester.craigslist.org/tix/2704196453.html

The Kindness of Strangers

One of the many things that has been so overwhelming during this process is the kindness and generosity of strangers. There have been so many examples of those who will never know the Gardners personally, but have been touched by their story. One in particular is Geri Spino.

Tomorrow Geri will hold an event with 200+ guests in honor of her son. Geri lost her son, 28 year old Scott Spino, in 2004 when he was struck by a drunk driver. In the midst of putting on her own (very large) event - the 5th Annual Bunco Bash, Geri has been consumed with thoughts for the Gardners. She calls Lisa regularly, speaking of each of the Gardners by name. Earlier this week she gathered items to make a beautiful basket to be raffled at our Pasta Dinner. This was while she was also collecting for her own event. She has put together little gift bags for Tyler, Emmalee and Nate and has solicited friends to make blankets for the Gardner children. The Bunco Bash takes place tomorrow, yet still, her wheels are turning and she calls Lisa with more ideas for the family. The fact that a person can look past themselves to this degree and truly "feel" for others whom they do not know is incredible.

As Geri Spino supports our efforts to assist the Gardners, I think it's appropriate to also recognize The Scott Spino Foundation and their efforts to make a difference in our community. If you would, please take a moment to look over their foundation and see the work they do.

5th Annual Bunco Bash

When: Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Where: Ridgemont Country Club

Food: Coffee, tea, pizza, chocolate, desserts, and cash bar

Activities: Two Rounds of BuncoPrizes: Great raffle Items

Admission: $25.00 per person
MC: Maureen McGuire Anchor WROC/FOX TV

For more information, contact Geri at 585-255-0039.

"Live a life that matters" ~Scott Spino

SOLD OUT!

It's only October 26th and the Pasta Dinner is officially SOLD OUT!!!! Thank you to all those who have resonded with reservations and/or donations. We are looking forward to an incredible night!

One Month to Go

One more month until the dinner and things are really coming together! We have been amazed by the generosity of businesses and individuals. Many thanks to our various sponsors (Proietti's, LiDestri Foods, Charlie's, Maidstone Coffee, Webster Fairport Elks Lodge) for providing the meal!

And the raffle items are really beginning to come in as well. We have already received the following commitments:
Handmade Alpaca Scarf
Various pieces of Handmade Jewelry
Custom Birthday Crowns
Manicure GC
Fun Fur Scarf
Photo Prints and other Digital Art
Celebrating Home Basket
Mary Kay Basket
Instant Lotto Scratch-off Tree
Scentsy Basket
Case of Sauce
Stationary
Family Fun Gift Basket
Body Soap & Lotion Set
Bill Gray's GC
Brueggers Bagel Bundles
Pampered Chef Gift Basket
Hand Crafted Ceramic Piece

Raffles make these events so much fun and we continue to solicit donations! If you are donating something for the raffle, please coordinate drop off/pick-up prior to Nov 12.

And don't forget to RSVP (with your payment)- ASAP!!!!! Seats are selling fast. We expect to sell out very soon, and you won't want to miss this event.

Thanks to everyone who has participated in any way to help the Gardner Family. Besides financial support, I know the outpouring of love has been a tremendous source of encouragement to them.

~Sue

A Proud Auntie Moment

So my sister-in-law called me today to tell me that she found the Pasta Dinner invitation in my 10-yr old niece's book bag, along with the little background card. She asked her why she took it. Kaitlin told her that she wanted to help out the family and was taking it to school so her class could do a penny drive. Her teacher was so impressed that Kaitlin had taken it upon herself - that she agreed to do it!

Brent and Jodie- you touch the hearts of all those you meet, near or far, young and old!

And the winner is...(or could be)....YOU!

We will be having lots of wonderful items up for raffle at the Pasta Dinner. So far these items include:

Several sets of Custom Jewelry
Crocheted Alpaca Scarf
Celebrating Home Gift Basket
Instant Lotto Scrath-Off Tree
Mary Kay Gift Basket
Wickedly Scents Body Lotion/Soap Basket
School/Office Supply Basket
Several pieces of art
Oil Change and/or Car Wash Certificates

Many thanks to all those who have already participated or contributed in some way!

We will continue to solicit donations for raffle items. If you have something you would like to contribute, please let me know! shawnsue4ever@yahoo.com

The Invitations Are Out!

Hoping you all received your invitations today! Many thanks to Lisa Frey of Bella Carta Studio for donating her time, talent and resources to create these lovely invites.

We hope to sell out...so please send your RSVPs in soon!

He is Faithful!

You may or may not share share my faith, but let me just tell you that, God is good all the time - and all the time, God is good!

I was feeling pretty discouraged today as we seem to be off to a slow start. And then God really came though, as He often does, in the form of an earthly angel. You know who you are, and I can only pray that God will bless you many times over for your generosity. You have touched my heart. Thank you seems so inadequate.

Now let's keep it going folks!!!!

Save the Date

It's confirmed. We have secured a location for the Pasta Dinner. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, November 19th.
Invitations to follow.

If you would like to receive a mailed invitation, and have not already done so, please email your address to shawnsue4ever@yahoo.com or post in the comments section.

Celebrating Home

As promised, fundraiser #2 is now available! It's a great time of year to purchase candles or to start thinking about the holidays. They make great gifts for family, teachers, sitters, etc. There are also some other products available in the brochure as well. And 50% of all purchases will go directly to the Gardners.

http://www.celebratinghome.com/fundraising_orderforms.ashx

Orders can be mailed to shawnsue4ever@yahoo.com

Checks can be made out and mailed directly to me at:
Sue Reardon
152 Guinevere Dr
Rochester NY, 14626

Again, much thanks for your support!

Pucker Up!

The Lemonade Stand is open for business!!!

1.) Click on the image below to enlarge.

2.) Print/cut out your Pitcher and/or Glass.

3.) Personalize your Pitcher/Glass with a note of support to the Gardners written over top.

4.) Mail, along with payment, to the address listed.


Thank you so much for your support!!!!

How Can I Help?

Helping is easy! We are creating three different ways in which you can help support The Gardner Family.

1) Celebrating Home Candle & Accessory Sale- This sale will run through mid October and 50% of all sales will go directly towards the Gardners. For family and friends outside Western NY, there will be an online option so you can participate as well.

2) Pasta Dinner- Date TBA. We have secured a location as well as numerous donations already. More details to follow.

3) Virtual Lemonade Stand- Many of you may have heard Jodie's famous mantra, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". To honor her ever positive outlook, we are hosting a "Lemonade Sale". You will have the opportunity to purchase glasses or pitchers of lemonade and include a personalized note of support to Brent and Jodie. This also be an event that allows for those residing out of the area to participate.

So be on the lookout for more details on these fun and exciting ways in which you can get involved!

If you have any questions, ideas or are interested in donating food or raffle items for the dinner, please cnontact Sue at shawnsue4ever@yahoo.com

Introduction

Brent and Jodie Gardner knew early in their marriage that they had a special calling. Brent and Jodie not only felt compelled to adopt children but they would only consider children with significant special needs. Jodie describes this action not as a choice, but rather the path which they knew was chosen for them. In 2005, Tyler joined the Gardner family. In addition to Down Syndrome, Tyler had other challenges including Hirschsprungs Disease and Klinefelter's Syndrome. But Tyler thrived in the Gardners’ home, and it was of little surprise when Emmalee Ann joined their family just a year later from the same adoption agency. Emma was born premature and had a number of risk factors as well.

In 2006, Brent accepted a position in Rochester, NY and the family moved across the country. The children were adjusting well, Brent was enjoying his new position, and life was very good. In 2007, the Gardners received an unexpected call from their adoption agency. There was a baby boy, born 15 weeks premature and who weighed only 21 ounces. In his first weeks, he had already experienced seizures, a brain bleed and infections. His outlook was bleak, but he deserved a home and the love of a family. After some prayer, and understanding that this baby came with no guarantees, the Gardners quickly agreed to adopt the little boy whose name would later become Nathaniel. And after spending many months in the hospital, Nate also came home to his forever family. But the joy was short lived. On March 2, 2008 the Gardners’ lives would be turned upside down when Tyler was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

In the three years that have passed, the family has experienced more trying times than is possible to list. Tyler is now in remission, but spent 2 long and difficult years receiving treatment. He has had a number of surgeries and infections and it seems he has spent as much time in a hospital as he has at home. Nate is also a survivor and has defied the odds against him, but the road has not been easy. He has also required numerous surgeries and although thriving physically, continues to experience many developmental delays. During this time, Jodie also broke both ankles and was laid up for many months. And unfortunately her ankle healed wrong- twice.

While Tyler was still receiving cancer treatments and Jodie was laid up with her ankles, Brent began experiencing troublesome symptoms. After many months of trying to figure out what was going on, Brent was diagnosed with Behcet’s Disease in November of 2009. Since that time, Brent’s health has steadily declined. Behcet’s is a progressive disease and eventually Brent was forced to quit his job and is now disabled. Over recent months Brent’s health has rapidly deteriorated. He has experienced many bouts with dangerous infections and, more recently, began suffering from Congestive Heart Failure. At this time, Brent is still hospitalized.

As one would imagine, it has been particularly difficult for Jodie: trying to manage the care of three children (two with significant needs) and a very sick spouse. Jodie states, “When we committed ourselves to adopting children with special needs, we never imagined that the responsibility would come to fall on only one of us.”
With both families residing out West, Jodie and Brent have relied mostly on their friends from church and Adoption STAR. And at this time, these friends have all joined forces in effort to raise funds to help offset some of Brent’s medical bills and to help care for their three children.

We are hoping that you too might be willing to help this family who is experiencing such desperate need.