Kids and Fun(d)raising
In a later posting I will attempt to discuss the impact cancer has had on our family. I have postponed writing about it for several reasons, one of which is that it is such a depressing topic, and I truly want to keep this blog positive and upbeat. However, much of the feedback I have received on earlier blogs indicates that readers want to grapple with problems and dilemmas that beset most of us at some time during our grandparenthood. I hope that not many of you will have to battle the cancer beast along the way.
Mostly you feel so helpless. Your child and your grandchild are in trouble. What can you do? Well, one thing you get involved in is funding the research that might once and for all find a cure. Although treatment may allow for a longer life, the effects of that very same treatment can compromise the quality of that life to varying degrees. The only real solution is to eliminate it. Several of the adults in our family are signed up to ride in the annual bike event known as The Pan Mass Challenge. Immediate family (which this year now includes Grampa, a cancer survivor himself, our daughter and her husband, nephew, co-workers and a ton of friends). One of our daughters has five children, and she was looking for a way to involve them. They wanted to help, too. Last year she and her husband facilitated the first ever PMC Kids Ride in Exeter, NH. It was so successful and the participants had such a great time that Maribeth and Sean signed on to do it again this year, on June 14th (not Father’s Day!) on the Timberland grounds (donated by the CEO of Timberland) in Exeter. All of the grandchildren will ride this year, as there are different courses for different age groups. It is not a race, and the participants do not have to fund raise (though they are certainly welcome to) nor do they have to meet any kind of a minimum. When they register they pay a $10 fee which gets them a tee shirt and all of the events for that day. Some of these are face painting, bike decorating, food, and water bottles. They wear their names on the backs of their shirts, and the dj announces riders at different times as they loop around. A lotof whooping and hollering accompanies them!
There will be music and cheering and raffles and dancing and eating. Everyone who attended last year felt the energy in the air, the wonderful feeling of groups of people, young and old, joining forces in a fun way to try to help children whose lives are a daily struggle. I could not have imagined the sheer joy we all felt, knowing we were doing something, anything, that might help. The older grandchildren helped prepare goody bags ahead of time, make posters, and recruit classmates and friends. Several groups (such as church, scouts, art class, karate) formed teams to participate, and raised additional funds by offering things such as free lessons or introductory classes for raffle. On the day of the event the older grandkids came early and were “gofers”, riding their bikes all around to deliver stuff and help with set up. The younger ones brought their enthusiasm and laughter, and know that it will soon be their turn to help as well. Our son was the medical person at the site. Former and present staff members and students from the school where I spent most of my teaching days filled the volunteer rosters, and have agreed to return again this year. They will be doing the bike decorating, face painting and other activities, monitoring the riders, manning the water station, etc.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to get your grandchildren involved in some sort of community service/service learning capacity as early as possible. For them to grasp the concept of helping others, of knowing that even as young as they may be, they can make a difference, they can help……especially other children who do not have the most magnificent gift of all, good health. It will give you something to do with them that will be productive and morally strengthening. It will create life-long habits and attitudes of commitment to humanity. On top of that, it will be fun!
Tip #43: Our new president exhorted us to accept responsibility for our world and the people in it. Children can learn this early on if we provide the moral compass for them, not by words but by actions. Get them involved in some type of service commitment at a young age, and do it alongside them. Through your modeling you will show them the way to make a difference in the world.
In a later posting I will attempt to discuss the impact cancer has had on our family. I have postponed writing about it for several reasons, one of which is that it is such a depressing topic, and I truly want to keep this blog positive and upbeat. However, much of the feedback I have received on earlier blogs indicates that readers want to grapple with problems and dilemmas that beset most of us at some time during our grandparenthood. I hope that not many of you will have to battle the cancer beast along the way.
Mostly you feel so helpless. Your child and your grandchild are in trouble. What can you do? Well, one thing you get involved in is funding the research that might once and for all find a cure. Although treatment may allow for a longer life, the effects of that very same treatment can compromise the quality of that life to varying degrees. The only real solution is to eliminate it. Several of the adults in our family are signed up to ride in the annual bike event known as The Pan Mass Challenge. Immediate family (which this year now includes Grampa, a cancer survivor himself, our daughter and her husband, nephew, co-workers and a ton of friends). One of our daughters has five children, and she was looking for a way to involve them. They wanted to help, too. Last year she and her husband facilitated the first ever PMC Kids Ride in Exeter, NH. It was so successful and the participants had such a great time that Maribeth and Sean signed on to do it again this year, on June 14th (not Father’s Day!) on the Timberland grounds (donated by the CEO of Timberland) in Exeter. All of the grandchildren will ride this year, as there are different courses for different age groups. It is not a race, and the participants do not have to fund raise (though they are certainly welcome to) nor do they have to meet any kind of a minimum. When they register they pay a $10 fee which gets them a tee shirt and all of the events for that day. Some of these are face painting, bike decorating, food, and water bottles. They wear their names on the backs of their shirts, and the dj announces riders at different times as they loop around. A lotof whooping and hollering accompanies them!
There will be music and cheering and raffles and dancing and eating. Everyone who attended last year felt the energy in the air, the wonderful feeling of groups of people, young and old, joining forces in a fun way to try to help children whose lives are a daily struggle. I could not have imagined the sheer joy we all felt, knowing we were doing something, anything, that might help. The older grandchildren helped prepare goody bags ahead of time, make posters, and recruit classmates and friends. Several groups (such as church, scouts, art class, karate) formed teams to participate, and raised additional funds by offering things such as free lessons or introductory classes for raffle. On the day of the event the older grandkids came early and were “gofers”, riding their bikes all around to deliver stuff and help with set up. The younger ones brought their enthusiasm and laughter, and know that it will soon be their turn to help as well. Our son was the medical person at the site. Former and present staff members and students from the school where I spent most of my teaching days filled the volunteer rosters, and have agreed to return again this year. They will be doing the bike decorating, face painting and other activities, monitoring the riders, manning the water station, etc.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to get your grandchildren involved in some sort of community service/service learning capacity as early as possible. For them to grasp the concept of helping others, of knowing that even as young as they may be, they can make a difference, they can help……especially other children who do not have the most magnificent gift of all, good health. It will give you something to do with them that will be productive and morally strengthening. It will create life-long habits and attitudes of commitment to humanity. On top of that, it will be fun!
Tip #43: Our new president exhorted us to accept responsibility for our world and the people in it. Children can learn this early on if we provide the moral compass for them, not by words but by actions. Get them involved in some type of service commitment at a young age, and do it alongside them. Through your modeling you will show them the way to make a difference in the world.
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