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Gift
of Life, Inc.
NOTES
FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
Friday,
September 28th
The
1,000-mile Hero’s March for Children is now 90% complete. It
has moved like a river through the country side seeing farmlands,
towns and cities, it’s people and sites, not staying in any one
place for too long, just long enough to appreciate the beauty it has
to offer. The journey wove its way through the Amish Country and its
rolling hills connecting farm after farm. It came through the suburbs
of Philadelphia and finally through the city of Brotherly Love.
Jimmy
and Susan Braddock have gone home. Their smiles and their help our
missed. They are back in South Carolina sharing their experiences
with their loved ones and those they work with. Susan will share her
journey with the children she teaches. In sharp contrast to their
southern drawl is Frank Macchio who’s thick New York/Brooklyn
accent could cast him as the manager of the “Badda Bing” on
the Sopranos. The boys from the PA Police have looked forward to
seeing Frankie again this year. The “Walking Man” from Home
Depot, Rich Fenster joined the core group today. There are few people
in the world that have a bigger heart.
The
spirited runners of the PA State Police have finally given us the
baton back having completed their mission of taking the Gift of Life
across Pennsylvania. There are no words to describe this fine group
of people. We are privileged to know them and are comforted in the
fact that these are the people that protect us. They have talked
about “next year” with the enthusiasm of little children
looking forward to Christmas. The last legs of the trip they carried
an American Flag and wore NYPD hats that Rich Fenster brought with
him to honor their fellow officers in New York.
We
stopped at St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital for a
press event. But more important than the press event was seeing more
of the children that we help. The work of Rotarians of District 7500
in New Jersey was evident at the beginning of the run when Zhenzhen,
the 12-year-old girl from Shangdong, China started the run on the
steps of Rotary International. Today we met Diana from Ecuador, a
6-year-old girl who smiled easily and is fortunate to have such great
group of medical professionals save her life. Our good friend Dr.
Jacobs described how difficult her case was and surely she would not
have seen the end of the year. Her mom, through volunteer Ruth Feely,
thanked us for giving her little girl back to her. For all those who
have iced their knees down, our picture of the day and the words of a
grateful mother is what the Gift of Life is all about.
As
with other places, Captain Braddock and Chad took over the hospital,
spreading joy to other children who were their battling their
illnesses. As with other places, they leave the imprint of their
kindness on the hearts of all who touch them, an imprint that
represents Americans at their best. People who teach and live
kindness in good deeds. The world needs to know the true make up of
this great nation and its people.
God
Bless America!
Robbie
Donno
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CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN(Continued):
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