You all know I like to ride a bicycle, we've discussed this before. During the month of June I participated in 2 major charitable cycling events. The first was called Tour de Cure. It was for the American Diabetes Association, 1 day, 100 miles around Maine. The second was the Trans New Hampshire Bike Ride to fight Muscular Dystrophy, 3 days, 225 miles from Canada to Portsmouth, NH.
Tour de Cure with hundreds of riders raised $300,000 for diabetes research, providing better knowledge and insight to the disease. They also provide "a summer camp for kids with diabetes allowing a fun-filled, educational camping experience for children with diabetes that will help them to develop and maintain active, healthy lifestyles. Camp Carefree's goal is to allow the campers to feel at ease and "accepted" in a community where having diabetes is the rule, not the exception. The campers learn to understand diabetes and the process of self-management under continuous skilled medical supervision." Thanks in small part to my cycling this camp stays open. Thanks solely to your donations, Annie's Angels is able to send children to Camp Carefree annually!
The Trans NH Bike Ride, with 72 participants raised $150,000 for NH MDA, "leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life." This year I learned that for my discomfort, Annie's Angels helped MDA find a new FDA approved treatment and possible cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
I get it, riding 300+ miles isn't for everyone. It isn't unusual to be uncomfortable and oh yes, sometimes there's cussing involved but in the end my discomfort is limited and always worth it compared to the discomfort our Annie's Angels families deal with daily.
What are you uncomfortable doing? Are you uncomfortable giving some time or talent volunteering? Or are you uncomfortable giving some of your treasure? That's a big one for most. Where does my money go? Who am I helping really? The answer is, you're helping your community. As for the rest, it's ok to be uncomfortable, that's where life happens. Please stretch your comfort zone. Become a volunteer or donor. Be an Annie's Angel!
Meet Our Board - Matt Shaw
Hi, I'm Matt Shaw and I'm a Trustee of Annie's Angel's. I am from Hampton where I live with my wife Jeanneen and our dog Ryder. We have two grown children Rachel and Max. I am an accountant manager at Seacoast Coca Cola in Seabrook N.H.
It was approximately 12 years ago on my new sales route for Seacoast Coca Cola when I walked into a small Italian deli in Stratham New Hampshire. Little did I know this would be a life altering event. That's when I met Bill and Diane DaGiau. Bill greeted me with a "what do you want" of course in a sarcastic Jersey accent. I said to myself I'm going to like this place. After 3 or 4 weeks of coming to Valerio’s Kitchen I noticed one of those giant checks on the wall made out to Annie's Angel's. That's when I first learned about Annie's Angel's Memorial fund. Every week I would hear about local struggling families and the charity events Bill and Diane were organizing, volunteering or participating in.
After witnessing Bill and Diane's passion to help people I knew I had to get involved in Annie's Angel's. It's been 12 plus years that I've been with this fantastic organization and I can't believe how many people are helped every year from our efforts but there are many more that need help.
That's where you can help! We always need volunteers for our events or perhaps you might have a special skill to offer. Or you can always donate at
www.anniesangels.org
Do it today!
The Exeter Classic Bike Race
The Exeter Classic, Exeter’s annual downtown professional bike race, returns on July 9th. This year Annie's Angels will be part of the action! No, we don't have a racer, this is a pro event! But we will be raising money during the race. Here's how it works...
One of the ways that the race is animated is through “primes” (pronounced “preem”) - mid race sprints that award money or other prizes to the first rider across the line. A tradition at Exeter is for a crowd-funded prime, where spectators toss a dollar or more into a hat, and the winner of the prime gets that prize. It’s sort of a way for spectators to show their excitement for the race.
This year, the crowd prize is going to be a 50/50 split between Annie’s Angels and the winner of the that sprint. The Exeter Classic is happy to help out Annie’s Angels with this donation, as well as making Annie's Angels more known to visiting racers and local spectators.
The racing starts at 6 pm in downtown Exeter. More info can be found at
https://exeterclassic.com
, or by following Exeter Classic (
https://www.facebook.com/exeterclassic
) on Facebook or Twitter (@exeterclassic)."
Thanks to YOU we are able to ease some of the stresses that come with a doctors diagnosis. We just
can't do this good work without YOUR support. I ask that you please consider making a tax deductible contribution to
Annie's Angels
or visit the
Our Families
tab on the website and select a particular family to help. Get updates about "your family" on the website or follow them on social media to see how your contributions are working, and thanks again for your continued support.
Some of you may remember Lucas' Helping Hands as an Annie's Angels family then as a program. A while back Lucas Helping Hands "left the nest" to work on becoming their own non-profit and 501(c)(3) charity. I couldn't be more honored to work with a family or more proud of Heather Young for where she has taken Lucas' Helping Hands. If you ride, please support the 4th Annual Lucas' Helping Hands Motorcycle Ride! Good luck on this event Lucas' Helping Hands! Fair skies and tail winds!
