The Saint Jude's Pickup Charity Event

[irunnoft]

I posted this comment at the tail end of the MLP contest thread, but I think everybody's pretty much read that one and the contest is over. However, I just wanted to make a comment about it and I didn't want it to get buried at the end of a dead thread.

I was deeply impressed with Will and MacLeod's contributions to the Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. This MLP contest was an awesome idea and my hat's off to whomever thought of this.

I'm a school teacher here in Western North Carolina. I've taught school for ten years now and I still love it. I'm passionate about teaching still and I just love the opportunity to work with children every day. I really love kids. I actually look at my students as "my kids" because I care about them.

Anyhow, back in 2001, I was teaching 8th grade at a local school and that's when I had the opportunity to meet a boy named Drew Hamilton. He was absent from school for the first week when I finally asked my class "What's with this Drew Hamilton boy? Is he ever going to come to school?" The kids all looked funny and one girl spoke up and said "Didn't anybody tell you? Drew has cancer. He's at Saint Jude's."

Drew had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 6th grade when he was 11. He fought it for most of his 7th grade year, but during that summer, he got considerably worse and he was sent to Saint Jude's. His mom didn't have much money. I live in a very rural area in Western NC and most of the people aren't super wealthy. However, that didn't matter to the people at Saint Jude's. Drew received excellent care in that facility.

Finally, around December of 2001, Drew's 8th grade year, I got to meet that young man. Up until that point in time, I was faxing him his homework to the hospital and it was always faxed back and waiting on the floor of the front office every morning - without fail. We had a huge party and his classmates (all 38 of them that comprised the entire 8th grade at the school) welcomed him back. Drew was a boy that was full of questions, energy and warmth. He was always smiling and laughing about something. He never complained or bitched about the hand he'd been dealt in life. Not once did I ever hear him say a negative remark. This kid was an inspiration to me. Everything was going along great and we were sailing through that year in school. Until. . . one day. Drew didn't come to school. And then he missed the next day. And the next. Drew's Mom came to school a few days later and told me that the cancer had returned and spread throughout his entire body. Drew went back to Saint Jude's.

To make a long story short, that hospital did everything they could to treat that young man and to help his family through this difficult time. I can't say enough about the compassionate people that work in that hospital. They are truly top notch. Drew didn't make it. He was sent home to die that summer. Hospice set up a bed in the living room of his house and that's where he was one July afternoon when his mom called me. She said he was asking for me. I went and prayed by his bedside and told him goodbye. I hugged his mother's neck and, when I eventually left, I cried as I drove all the way home. He's at peace now, but I never forgot the lessons in courage I learned from that brave 14 year old boy. And I never forgot Saint Jude's. Like I said, I'm a teacher so I've pretty much opted for a job that makes the big bucks , but I've always made an anonymous donation in Drew's name to Saint Jude's ever since that July day.

Wish I'd have known about the contest, but I didn't really get a guitar until the beginning of March and I didn't really know it was going on. I'm proud to be a member of a forum with such a philanthropic bunch of people, though. Wolf, WB, Bobbo and all the others responsible for that event - you guys rock. Cheers to LPCollector, too. I went back in and read the thread about this contest and I saw where he'd given a large, undisclosed donation. Folks, that's class. That's one thing that wealth is for. A lot of us only think of wealth with regards to how much we can amass. However, some of the richest people I know, both in money and in spirit, are givers.

[drewbertca]

I agree this was an awesome contest with proceeds going to an awesome cause.....I hope for the next contest and / or charity event (even without a prize) I'm in a position to contribute more than praise and well wishing....I love being part of a socially responsible and respectable group.....I've learned a lot here and I'm happy to see members giving back......I look forward to the next time something similar goes on so as I can contribute....

[Eddie]

What a touching story. As I have the guitar with the St. Jude's pickups next to me, they mean even more after reading your story. I think of the efforts gone into the Charity pickups every time I play them. I thank Will and Wolfe, but it goes so much deeper than these 2 good men. Everyone who donated and administered the event really made a difference to someone. Now every time I plug the goldtop in, I will think of Drew (and the countless others) and be a little sad, but proud at the same time.

[LPCollector]

irun,

If our donation can prevent just one story, such as Drew's....well, let's just say that is my motivation to give.

eddie,
Very eloquently put my friend........

Mark

I believe whole heartedly in St Jude's! Children are most precious gift to this world and it makes me very sad to think that even 1 child is suffering. Contest or not we should all donate regularly to St Jude's and any other charity that helps children. They are our future and we must take care of them all. I love my kids very much and would be dependent on St Jude's for help if any of mine got sick. I am a single father doing my best but hospital expense is very high and would never be able to afford it. Thanks to all who donated and most of all, Thanks to St Jude's hospitals....
The story about Drew actually made me cry. Kids shouldn't have to suffer like that... I will remember that story an use it for inspiration in my daily life, Thanks for it............

[ZoomZilla]

Wow, what a story. I would like to make more time to visit the kids there. I live in the same city (well nearby) and I never seem to find the time to go up there and entertain the youngins. I guarantee this much, if I brought my acoustic up there and put on a show I would not get ANY criticism! The kids would love it!

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by ZoomZilla

Wow, what a story. I would like to make more time to visit the kids there. I live in the same city (well nearby) and I never seem to find the time to go up there and entertain the youngins. I guarantee this much, if I brought my acoustic up there and put on a show I would not get ANY criticism! The kids would love it!

That's awesome!

[BOBBO]

It was an honor to raise money for such a worthy cause !!! We'll be doing another raffle for St Judes soon !!!!

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by BOBBO

It was an honor to raise money for such a worthy cause !!! We'll be doing another raffle for St Judes soon !!!!

I'll be sure not to miss that one, Bobbo!

[WolfeMacleod]

Alright..we need a "cryin" icon here...

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

Alright..we need a "cryin" icon here...

??? Cryin ?

[808]

WOW...what a touching story!!!



The wife and I donate regularly.

[Eddie]

Originally Posted by BOBBO

??? Cryin ?

...for the touching story, Bobbo...

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by Eddie

...for the touching story, Bobbo...

Ahhh ... Had a senior moment ...?

[loaded six string]

Bobbo said that the MLP members who made donations for the pickups/st. jude charity contest would get a thank you note in the mail from the person at St. Judes who was the liaison. I did get something in the mail from them, it wasn't anything like a thank you note or something similar, but a request for more money.

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by loaded six string

Bobbo said that the MLP members who made donations for the pickups/st. jude charity contest would get a thank you note in the mail from the person at St. Judes who was the liaison. I did get something in the mail from them, it wasn't anything like a thank you note or something similar, but a request for more money.

While the letter you'll get from St Judes is a Thank You ! It is also a request for continued sponsorship of their cause ! Did you expect something handwritten from Marlo Thomas ?

[irunnoft]

Marlo Thomas! Wow! There's one from waaaaaay back!

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by irunnoft

Marlo Thomas! Wow! There's one from waaaaaay back!

Her father Danny Thomas .. Founded St Judees .....!

[808]

I got a Thank You letter this week from St. Judes, regarding the $10 donation I made for the charity event. That letter made me feel better than the money I sent them!

Keep up the good work Bobbo and Flick!!!

[loaded six string]

Originally Posted by BOBBO

While the letter you'll get from St Judes is a Thank You ! It is also a request for continued sponsorship of their cause ! Did you expect something handwritten from Marlo Thomas ?

Oh, no, I don't mean to come across as and expect something like that. I just thought it was going to be something exclusively for MLP contributors for having done this as a fund raiser for them.
P.S. Kuddos to BOBBO for running this event, he did a great job.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by irunnoft

I posted this comment at the tail end of the MLP contest thread, but I think everybody's pretty much read that one and the contest is over. However, I just wanted to make a comment about it and I didn't want it to get buried at the end of a dead thread.

I was deeply impressed with Will and MacLeod's contributions to the Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. This MLP contest was an awesome idea and my hat's off to whomever thought of this.

I'm a school teacher here in Western North Carolina. I've taught school for ten years now and I still love it. I'm passionate about teaching still and I just love the opportunity to work with children every day. I really love kids. I actually look at my students as "my kids" because I care about them.

Anyhow, back in 2001, I was teaching 8th grade at a local school and that's when I had the opportunity to meet a boy named Drew Hamilton. He was absent from school for the first week when I finally asked my class "What's with this Drew Hamilton boy? Is he ever going to come to school?" The kids all looked funny and one girl spoke up and said "Didn't anybody tell you? Drew has cancer. He's at Saint Jude's."

Drew had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 6th grade when he was 11. He fought it for most of his 7th grade year, but during that summer, he got considerably worse and he was sent to Saint Jude's. His mom didn't have much money. I live in a very rural area in Western NC and most of the people aren't super wealthy. However, that didn't matter to the people at Saint Jude's. Drew received excellent care in that facility.

Finally, around December of 2001, Drew's 8th grade year, I got to meet that young man. Up until that point in time, I was faxing him his homework to the hospital and it was always faxed back and waiting on the floor of the front office every morning - without fail. We had a huge party and his classmates (all 38 of them that comprised the entire 8th grade at the school) welcomed him back. Drew was a boy that was full of questions, energy and warmth. He was always smiling and laughing about something. He never complained or bitched about the hand he'd been dealt in life. Not once did I ever hear him say a negative remark. This kid was an inspiration to me. Everything was going along great and we were sailing through that year in school. Until. . . one day. Drew didn't come to school. And then he missed the next day. And the next. Drew's Mom came to school a few days later and told me that the cancer had returned and spread throughout his entire body. Drew went back to Saint Jude's.

To make a long story short, that hospital did everything they could to treat that young man and to help his family through this difficult time. I can't say enough about the compassionate people that work in that hospital. They are truly top notch. Drew didn't make it. He was sent home to die that summer. Hospice set up a bed in the living room of his house and that's where he was one July afternoon when his mom called me. She said he was asking for me. I went and prayed by his bedside and told him goodbye. I hugged his mother's neck and, when I eventually left, I cried as I drove all the way home. He's at peace now, but I never forgot the lessons in courage I learned from that brave 14 year old boy. And I never forgot Saint Jude's. Like I said, I'm a teacher so I've pretty much opted for a job that makes the big bucks , but I've always made an anonymous donation in Drew's name to Saint Jude's ever since that July day.

Wish I'd have known about the contest, but I didn't really get a guitar until the beginning of March and I didn't really know it was going on. I'm proud to be a member of a forum with such a philanthropic bunch of people, though. Wolf, WB, Bobbo and all the others responsible for that event - you guys rock. Cheers to LPCollector, too. I went back in and read the thread about this contest and I saw where he'd given a large, undisclosed donation. Folks, that's class. That's one thing that wealth is for. A lot of us only think of wealth with regards to how much we can amass. However, some of the richest people I know, both in money and in spirit, are givers.

'Scuse me....I need a Kleenex....my eyes are a bit misty.....must be the allergies.
(Cool post!)