News

March 2008 – Easter Flower Sale. Diane Putt and the Eighth Grade Religious Education class at St. Vincent’s church in Elma, NY organized a “funraiser” in honor of Smiles from Nicholas. Their Easter Flower sale was a big success thanks to their hard work and the beautiful flowers provided by Lisa’s Greenhouses.

March 2008 – Youth Hockey Tournament in Cleveland, OH. Spanning two weekends in March, the Alan Fenton Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament is an annual event for young hockey players in the Cleveland, OH area.

The tournament is named after a beloved hockey-Dad, Alan Fenton. Alan grew up playing hockey in Cobourg, Ontario in Canada and attended Colgate College in New York on a hockey scholarship. After college he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and played in their farm league. When he realized he wasn't going to play as a pro, he returned to college to get his MBA.

He continued to play hockey in adult leagues when possible and also refereed at games. His career brought him to Wooster in the 90’s. Alan was disappointed there wasn't an ice rink and was very happy when he learned that the Noble’s had changed that. He and his son Eric (Wooster Blades Bantam Player) were two of the first patrons to skate on the new rink. Alan immediately started talking with people interested in starting a hockey program. He volunteered to help coach the first group of players. It was a source of joy to him to watch those players developing their skills.

His coaching also brought him a new family, as he met Jennifer, Jake and Ali when he was Jacob Greathouse's coach. Alan approached his cancer diagnosis with the same vigor he put into hockey and didn’t let it stop him from attending games and helping coach when he was able. It frustrated him when his treatments forced him to sit in the bleachers instead of on the bench.

Jennifer Fenton commented that while Alan was being treated for cancer he said he could never imagine having a child go though what he was going through.

With the help of Roz and Chris Smith, Nicholas’ story was introduced to Jennifer and the committee that organizes the Alan Fenton Tournament. Without hesitation, they agreed to use this event to help raise awareness of Pediatric Cancer and to help raise funding for research.

We know Nicholas’ spirit and amazing Smile has touched many new families and we are thankful for the opportunity to share his story.

Feburary 2008 – Quilting for Pediatric Cancer. When Nicholas was diagnosed with pediatric cancer a quilt group brought him a homemade blanket. It comforted him during his long hospital stays and gave comfort to our family in knowing that someone cared. The Smiles Quilting Program carries forward that gift of comfort by recruiting and coordinating fabric donations, sewers and quilt deliveries.

Since it’s formation in the Fall of 2007, the quilt program has received almost 50 completed quilts … with more on the way! Forty-four of the quilts have been distributed. Two batches of 20 quilts were sent to hospitals in New Jersey and Virginia. Four were sent directly to families.

We would like to give thanks to those who have participated in our program:

Fabric Donations by Julie Gowanlock, JoAnn Hartung, Barbara Maraszek and friends, Mary Swanz, Eleanor Gorecki, Debbie Lohr, Shirley Morris, Hannah Rampton, Mrs. Rampton and Mrs. Phoenix.

Our Sewers, Glenda Pfeiffer, Rachel Rydzynski, JoAnn Hartung, Cattaragus County group organized by Debbie Lohr and Wyoming County group organized by Bonnie Madison.

Distribution by Smiles Quilt Representatives Carolee Jerome to Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey and Kathleen Hannon with her daughters Morgan and Olivia, (see picture to right) to Fairfax Children’s Hospital in Virginia.

Help us reach our 2008 goal of delivering 100 quilts to children with cancer by donating fabric, recruiting sewers or by delivering quilts.

January 2008 – Introducing Marie Kennedy. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our guest writer, Marie Kennedy, (www.mariekennedy.com). This Fall, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Marie and reading some of her motivational work. Marie is the internationally recognized author of, “My Perfect Son has Cerebral Palsy”, a book about her son Jimmy and their family’s journey in embracing his diagnosis.

She and her family are well known advocates in their Indiana community, frequently being asked to speak about “Abilities”. Jimmy has won numerous awards for his open-minded speeches. Their ability to raise awareness is unprecedented in their community. Please visit their section on the Smiles website under Cerebral Palsy called “Awareness” and follow along as they help Smiles raise awareness of CP.

December 2007 – Cookbook Fundraiser Update. The Smiles cookbook is a beautiful hard cover edition with over 200 great recipes supplied by our supporters. Arlene Rydzynski spent countless hours typing recipes and her efforts have been recognized by hundreds of supporters who purchased cookbooks in 2007.

We want to thank everyone who purchased a cookbook and send out special thanks to Dennis Rydzynski who shared our fundraiser with the members of Sloan Fire Department and the employees of Quebecor. Additionally, we would like to thank Carol Jajkowski for jumping in on this fundraiser and sharing our son’s story at St. Joseph’s hospital.

Cookbooks will continue to be on sale in our online gift shop.

December 2007 – Got Spare Change? During the month of December, the boys from Boy Scout Pack 1226, Den 12 in Huntington Beach, California chose Smiles from Nicholas as their community service project. They set out cans and containers in their homes and collected spare change for one month. Just before Christmas, they got together with the results of their efforts and were able to send the Smiles foundation a check for $225.

We send our thanks and appreciation to the boys in Den 12 and to their leaders who helped them choose Smiles from Nicholas for their service project.

December 2007 – Nautica Corporate Donation. In January 2007, Misty May-Treanor called to let us know that she was asking her sponsor, Nautica, to provide Smiles from Nicholas with a donation. She said it would probably be a long process and to be patient.

In March of 2007, Misty put us in touch with her agent Tracey because she was headed out on tour for the AVP and knew that she would be unable to help us with the follow up needed for the sponsorship. For several months we worked with Tracey to answer all of Nautica’s questions and to provide all the paperwork they needed to make the donation. This month the check arrived in our PO Box in the amount of $10,000. We send our thanks to Misty for helping us with this donation and to Tracey for all her hard work in making this a reality.

November 2007 – Everybody Counts. Every November in Indiana schools an educational program called “Everybody Counts” is celebrated. Smiles from Nicholas is adopting this program and asking you to participate in educating children about Cerebral Palsy.

We have many resources available on our site to help children understand Cerebral Palsy. Visit our “Just for Kids” Section under Cerebral Palsy. And help us guide our children to a future without discrimination.

October 2007 – Northern Lights Fundraiser in Buffalo, NY. Smiles supporters Dawn Benty and Lisa Zalar teamed up to raise money for Smiles from Nicholas by holding a Northern Lights Candle sale. Every dollar raised goes to research and every person touched by Nicholas’ story is priceless.

October 2007 – Mosaic Holiday Greeting Cards by Faces of Buffalo. Artist Brian Nesline has created a holiday greeting card series and is offering the cards as a fundraiser for Smiles from Nicholas. Send a clever mosaic holiday card (4.25”X5.5”) made from thousands of community faces!

And remember to check out his line of creative prints also available. To access his site please visit our Online Gift Shop for a link to his product offering. 40% of each sale will be donated to Smiles from Nicholas.

September 2007 – Pediatric Cancer and Cerebral Palsy Awareness Bracelets – Jewelry designer, Marianne Holzhauer of Wear Because You Care is offering custom made sterling silver and Swarovski crystal Pediatric Cancer and Cerebral Palsy Awareness Bracelets through her website – www.wearbecauseyoucare.com. A portion of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to Smiles from Nicholas. In our Online Gift Shop you will find a link to her website.

September 2007 – The Smiles Cookbook goes on sales. The Smiles cookbook is a wonderful assortment of favorite recipes submitted by our supporters. This book is a beautiful hard cover edition with over 200 great recipes to choose from. We send our thanks to all our supporters who sent in recipes and special thanks to Arlene Rydzynski for all her hard work and countless hours typing recipes. Visit our Online Gift Shop to order your copy!

August 2007 - This month we received a corporate donation from the Seneca Niagara Casino. We want to thank them for their generosity and support. Their donation will make an impact on Cerebral Palsy and Pediatric Cancer. Special thanks go out to Ed Walker for introducing the casino management to Smiles from Nicholas and our amazing son. Visit the casino at www.senecaniagaracasino.com

If your company provides support to charitable organizations, please help us by introducing them to Smiles from Nicholas. July 2007 – Introducing “Through Paul’s Eyes”. This is a short story series written from a sibling’s perspective and intended to help children understand Cerebral Palsy. Visit the Cerebral Palsy section “Just for Kids”.

June 2007 – Smiles Race Car - Nicholas may have never gotten the chance to ride in a race car, but this year his name will be on a race car. Our deepest thanks are extended to George Roesch for carrying Smiles from Nicholas on his race car this season.

With the help of his crew – Keith, Dan, Larry and Matt - George races regularly at Lancaster Speedway and Wyoming County Speedway. The Smiles decal for his car was designed and printed by Cherry Signs.

Keep an eye out for #61 and let’s cheer him on to victory!

30 Foursomes Under a Beautiful Blue Sky

Under a beautiful blue sky, Monday, June 11th, 30 foursomes gathered ready to kick off our First Annual Smiles from Nicholas Golf Tournament.

We send our thanks to each and every golfer who participated in this year’s Golf Outing. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Golf Outing Photos

Special thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:

• Magtrol
• Installs, Inc.
• Image Microsystems
• Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital
• Carrier Group
• Power Drives
• Ahren’s Financial Group

Additional thanks to our Tee and Green Sponsors:

May 2007 – Usborne Books sale sponsored by Rosalyn Smith in Ohio

May 2007 – Sidway Teachers Dress Down Day

April 2007 – Avon Sales Event in Orange County, California sponsored by Carole Suzuki and Avon Representative, Sherri Maeshima

February 2007 – Community Day Sales event sponsored by Bon Ton Stores nationwide

December 2006 – Visteon Dress Down Days

December 2006 – Visteon Sabres Ticket Raffle

December 2006 – PS2 Raffle Sponsored by Ed Walker and Frank Parisi of Soho Nightclub in Buffalo, NY

November 2006 – Charity Crop Event by Creative Memories consultant Carrie Gerhardt

November 2006 – Ortho Biotech Dress Down Day

October 2006 – Marilla Primary Dress Down Day