This past weekend, we had our For The Love of Greg Spaghetti Dinner Benefit. The goal of the benefit was to raised the remainder of funds needed to install a StairGlide for my brother Greg who's fighting brain cancer. What we received as a family was so much larger... like so, so, SO much larger, than the funds needed to finish the renovations to keep Greg safe and mobile as he continues to fight!
We received LOVE in magnanimous amounts... There was literally love seeping out every doorway, from every corner of the room, floor to ceiling and pouring out the door. We had people travel hundreds of miles, overnight to come out just to support us and show our love. We had surprises from people near and dear to us that we never expected. We have tender, precious family moments, the kind you cherish forever. And we felt blanketed in a joy so great I cannot even express it in words.
The team that helped me organize this amazing event, I cannot thank you enough. I could never have done this without you and I will be forever grateful for your countless hours of help, sleepless nights and brilliant ideas that made this possible.
To the local businesses and people that donated items for our silent auction and raffles, Thank YOU! We were humbled by how many people stepped up offering to make donations of their products and services to help raise the funds needed. My family is a huge believer in supporting local businesses. Yes, it might cost a little more, but knowing you are helping a family pay their mortgage, put food on the table and put Christmas gifts under the tree is priceless.
To everybody that came from near and far to share in this amazing event with us, Thank YOU! We served a heck of a lot of spaghetti, a ton of desserts (awesome!!!) and had amazing bids on our silent auction items... along with a bazillion raffle tickets sold. THIS is what living in a small town is about, lifting each other up when we need it, not being afraid to ask for help and allowing others the joy of being able to lend a hand, make a donation or just give a hug!
If you want to see the custom necklace I made for the silent auction, visit my website: Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry www.BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com The woman that bid on it and won is a fellow Springer Spaniel mom. She does countless work for ESRA where I got
my first springer, my heart and soul, Brandi. So when I connected with her after she won, I wanted to let her know if she needed the necklace sized or need any adjustments made, I'd be happy to take care of it. Her response was "I'm not keeping the necklace. I bought it to re-donate to the
ESRA fundraiser picnic tomorrow for the raffle, so you'll be there in spirit!" AMAZING... and can you say tears, yes I cried... for the 843rd time that day. I'm honored and blessed to see so many golden moments as a result of this journey my family is on.
I still cannot wrap my heart around how amazing and loved our family feels after this event. The Stairglide was installed on Monday and the security of knowing Greg can get up & down the stairs without fear of falling is priceless. Sending love your way!
XO,
Dawn
