Happy Anniversary?

Well the 6th of each month is normally a day I dread. I start thinking about it the night before and continue to think about it throughout the day. I hate that time keeps on going without Sophie. I long to be able to go back in time and change the course of events. I know I can't so the 6th of the month is often even more heartbreaking than all the other days when my heart aches of missing Sophie, and I replay the events of the day she died, which was now 8 months ago.

Today is different. Today I miss her as much (if not more) than I always do. Today though, I long to give her a hug and say thanks...why? Because I am so excited to say that just today we received the letter from the IRS stating our foundation paperwork has been approved, and we are now an "official" non-profit foundation!!!!! I know Sophie had something to do with us receiving this news today. We are more than excited. So in a way, today is a "Happy Anniversary." We owe a HUGE thank you to Peter VanEuwen, the attorney (and friend) who provided us the necessary help and guidance to get the paperwork submitted correctly, and in a timely manner. We are so blessed and grateful to know Peter. Without him, we might very well still be spinning our wheels, knee-deep in confusing paperwork!

The planning for our race is coming along great! We realize we have less than a month until the big day, and there is still work to be done, but with all the effort from so very many willing volunteers, we know it is going to be awesome!

In addition to the race (run and walk) we will be having some kids activities to entertain the little ones after the race. Our "activities committee" has been working hard at planning some fun things for the kids to do, and here are just a few of them: animals from the nature center, face painting, balloon art, magic shows, cotton candy machines, snow cone machines, the Life Flight helicopter, a giant bounce house, birthday cupcakes, and more!! All of this will be available to children who make a donation to the foundation in exchange for a wristband. Parents must accompany their child(ren) so that a waiver can be signed before the activities begin. For those children who have registered for the walk, or run, the wristband will be provided as part of the registration fee, but the additional waiver will still need to be signed on race day.

Those who have pre-registered for the event (those received prior to June 27) will receive a goodie bag, t-shirt, birthday cake, water, fruit, bagels, and 2 entries to the live drawing which will be held after the race. So far we have some cool things to give away, and I will update the blog in the next few days, once all the items have been collected. Here is a sneak peak: gift certificates to local restaurants and stores, gift baskets, tickets to an Indians game and more!

Those who register between from June 28 and July 4 will pay an additional $5, and unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the perks of "pre-registration" to those who enter after June 27.

There will be a DJ to provide music, as well as live music from some talented local high school students. We also will have fresh squeezed lemonade and jumbo grilled hotdogs for sale, in addition to our "Smiles for Sophie Forever" car magnets and headbands.

Today, with the help of so many people dedicated to our cause, combined with our activegiving.com campaign, we have raised over $10,000 for the event. Our goal is $50,000 and to some, that seems crazy, but we set that goal with the motto "Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you will land among the stars." in mind. We still have time to raise additional funds, so if you feel called to do so, please visit http://www.active.com/donate/SmilesForSophie

In the works are some incentive prizes for individuals and/or teams who have achieved various fundraising goals.

Each member of a team, or individual who meets the following amounts, will be entered into a drawing for the prizes listed below. And they are pretty cool prizes! These are just some of the things we have so far, and more may be added as we receive them.

Fundraisers raising $2000.00 or more will be entered into each of the following drawings:

1. a Columbus Zoo family entertainment pack for 7 including a behind the scenes tour of the Jack Hannah Animal Promotions Complex valued over $1000.00
2. steak and lobster dinner for 8 prepared at your home by the chef from Delucas in the Park valued at $1000.00

Fundraisers raising at least $1000.00 will be entered into the following drawings:

1. 4 Indians club seat tickets valued at $440
2. a one night stay for two with breakfast at the Marriott Cleveland East

Fundraisers raising at least $750.00 will be entered into the following drawings:
1. Charles Scott Salon and spa $125 gift certificate

2. Little Gym of Avon Birthday party gift certificate valued at $225
3. I-Pod Nano with case

Fundraisers raising at least $500.00 will be entered into the following drawings:

1. an overnight stay for 2 with breakfast at the Cleveland Hampton Inn
2. one of 2 Sony mp3 players
3. one of 2 $100.00 Little Gym of Avon gift certificates
4. autographed Victor Martinez baseball

If you haven't set up an active giving fundraising page, you still have time, and your support will mean so much. If you need help creating, customizing, or updating your page, feel free to contact my sister Sarah at smiklaski@cox.net. She will be glad to help.

Our next planning meeting will be held at Swingos Grand Tavern in Avon Lake on Tuesday June 17, at 7:00. If you have ideas to share, all are welcome as we put all the final details into place.

If you are interested in helping the day of the event, please contact pkvaneuwen@oh.rr.com . We are in need of many volunteers, and would love your help. If you are volunteering, you can still participate in the event if you wish to do so.

More information will be coming soon regarding early packet pick-up.

Thank you to all of you who have continued to send thoughts and prayers our way. Please take a minute to pray for the families who are fighting the battle of pediatric brain cancer this very moment.

With your continued help, and support, we hope one day, the battle for these families will be a victorious one. We cannot wait to begin allocating the Smiles for Sophie Forever funds to families fighting this battle, as well as organizations like St. Jude who are working to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.

Thank you again to all our supporters. God Bless you all.