July 2017 Newsletter
brought to you by 

Contents:

Family Seeks Help...Thank You! - Bill DaGiau
An Update and a Look Ahead - Bill DaGiau

Family Seeks Help...Thank you!
Bill DaGiau

After receiving a request for assistance back in April, I met the Masters family, Brian, Amanda and beautiful Emily. Emily is a very special little girl with many very special needs. Emily has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is missing the majority of her brain. She can hear, but can't walk, talk or see. She loves to giggle and has a heart melting smile. She knows what she likes...and what she doesn't and will let you know either way.

To leave the house required a team effort as Emily needs to be lying down at all times or she risks choking. Sitting in the back seat, someone needs to be with her suctioning to keep her oxygen level up and maintain a safe airway. That being said, while Brian is at work Amanda and Emily could rarely leave their home.

As with every family, we rolled up our sleeves started fundraising immediately using social media and email blasts as well as Brian and Amanda contacting family and friends who have been waiting for this opportunity to help. Then, near the end of June a miracle began to unfold.

It was June 24th, I was participating in a cycling fundraiser as my phone began to vibrate in my jersey. It was a number I didn't recognize but they left a message. It was WMUR asking about Emily's Van Fund! I tried calling back but, I had no service. Tyler, my cycling partner for this trip, and I pedaled for all we were worth to get 20 miles to the next water stop and cell service or a land line before they had a chance to change their minds for another story. I got through! One hour after my call Mike Cronin and his team were at the Masters' home and at 6pm their story exploded on the air.

Thanks to your support, kindness and generosity, within a week of its airing on WMUR Emily's story raised enough money to start looking for a rear access wheelchair van. Then, on July 6 Emily's dad Brian and I took a 17 hour round trip to Linden, NJ to purchased a 2012 Grand Caravan with only 28,000 miles on it. It is perfect! Amanda said "I can't even tell you how amazing this has already been - we've gone to Drs appointments, farmers markets... so many memories as a family and it's just the beginning! Thank you for EVERYTHING!"

---

An Update and a Look Ahead
Bill DaGiau

A very special thanks to everyone who supported our BIG Adventure cycling event, 6 days, 450 miles, from Grand Falls, NB, Canada to The 401 Tavern in Hampton, NH. This ride raised funds for our Annie's Helping Hands Oncology Program as well as the Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber. Thanks also to everyone who supported this year's 3 days, 225 miles Trans NH Bike Ride Against Muscular Dystrophy. Your support and efforts are truly appreciated by members of AHH, the Jimmy Fund and NHMDA. Together we touched many lives. Personally, you've enriched my soul and once again, thank you just isn't enough.

This year's Reach the Beach, a "200-ish miles in 24 hour"  run  will take place on September 15 & 16. Thisyear Team Wine O'Clock @ The 401 Tavern will be running to benefit Annie's Angels! Paula Stanca of The 401 Tavern said, "We're inspired by the work of ANNIE'S ANGELS MEMORIAL FUND INC and wanted to support them by raising money as part of our participation in 2017 Ragnar Relay Reach the Beach. Please help us help them by giving whatever you can using the 'Give Now' button. The more people that know about ANNIE'S ANGELS MEMORIAL FUND INC, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing our page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!" Thank you Paula, Desi and everyone participating on Team Wine O'Clock @ The 401 tavern.

Chris' Pets for Vets is honored to be partnering with Lonza Biologic and Zebra Crossings in presenting the 16th Annual Lonza Harvest Open Golf Classic! Be a part of this DRIVE TO A MILLION event. This year Lonza will reach a huge milestone, giving back ONE MILLION DOLLARS to our community over 16 years. 
Chris' Pets for Vets and Zebra Crossings is charged with collecting raffle and auction items for the golf classic. Does your company have a product that we can auction or raffle to help raise the bottom line? Are you thinking you may want to help but you're not sure how? Would you like to go shopping and make a private donation OR would you or your company like to sponsor an item or one of the trips we are working to procure? Email bill@anniesangels.org  . We can answer your questions and even pick up your donation. As always, thanks for your support!

Are you a country music fan? Here's your chance to see National as well as local talent up close at the Red Hook Brewery! The 3rd Annual New England Country Music Festival presented by The Harbor Agency returns to the Redhook Brewery on August 6, 2017! The l ine up includes: Frankie Ballard;  Michael Ray;  William Michael Morgan; Casey Dirham; Timmy Brown; Jimmy Connor; Paige Davis; DJ Mikey Fletch (in between acts).  Gates tentatively scheduled to open at 12:15 for VIPs, 12:45 for PIT and GA. Tickets are non-refundable and vary from $15 to $85. Rain or shine. Children 12 and under are free. No outside food or drink. Buy your tickets today!

Finally, I would like to invite you to join our monthly giving group. It's easy, just visit AnniesAngels.org  and make a donation. During check out click the box that asks if you'd like to make your donation recurring monthly. No amount is to small, no amount is to great. We need your continued support. Thank you.