1. family and parenting

Published by Why Me
Phone: 508-757-7734
Fax: 508-756-5119
www.whyme.org
Fall / Winter
2004-2005
Newsletter
Comes to Life!
Our Sherry's House Dedication & Ribbon Cutting!
It was a beautiful, sunny day this past June when, after much anticipation and
not a few prayers, we held our Sherry's House dedication & ribbon cutting. From
our building partners, foundations, corporations, groups and volunteers to our Why
Me children, families and staff, everyone gave from the bottom of their hearts to see
our home for kids become a reality. Sherry's House now stands as a true
testament to the power of love. Every inch of this home has been designed, built and
crafted with love.
We’re Half-Way
to Our Goal!
2 million
(Our Goal!)
Thank you for helping us
get half way to our capital
fund raising goal.
Through the generosity of our building partners,
we have saved an additional $700,000 in construction costs! However, this does not include
landscaping, furniture, start up costs or operational
costs. Please make your checks payable to
Sherry’s House.
1 million
Half-way there!
•
$
•
Sign up for Disney World or Las Vegas – Join The
Sherry’s All-Star Fun Run/Walk Team
•
If your gift is in memory or in honor of an
individual, please include the name and address
of the person who is to be notified.
•
Leave a legacy:
75 will sponsor a child for a day at Sherry’s
House
• Plan a gift of real estate
• Insurance or appreciable assets
Each donation is greatly appreciated and directly benefits all Central New England families facing childhood cancer. All of our services are provided
completely free of charge to the whole family.
Comes to Life!
The Marlene Kemp Farley
Children's Learning Center
The UPS Foundation
Family Living Room
Retired teachers, college interns and our volunteers help
cancer patient children and their brothers and sisters remain
academically successful and connected to learning.
A cozy, inviting space for families to curl up under an afghan and share
a special moment together. All the woodwork was hand re-finished by
students from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.
Special thanks to
the UPS Foundation
for the largest corporate gift ever received
by Sherry's House . . .
$
100,000.
Thanks to Jenn
& Chris Lavin and
Vicki & Bob Thebeau
for their tireless
dedication in memory of their friend,
Kindergarten
t e a c h e r, M a r l e n e
Kemp Farley. Also
thanks to everyone at
Ta t n u c k M a g n e t
Pictured above Tatnuck Magnet School
School for raising
students drop by for a visit
money and donating
children's books, and to Freda Garbose for furnishing our
library in memory of her grandaughter Emily.
The Why Me Counseling and
Support Group Center,
honoring the life and spirit of
Jillian M. Bertonazzi
The backbone of Why Me is our day-to-day , emotional
support for children and families. Mentoring, counseling, and
support groups will
p a i r c h i l d re n ,
parents and siblings
with others who
understand and can
help. What could
be more valuable to
healing?
Pictured above Tom Bertonazzi (Jillian's dad)
•Mural treatment
lovingly created
by Why Me mom,
Debbie Hughes
Johnson, in
honor of her son
Cody.
• Color designs of
all rooms courtesy: Melissa
Ruttle, Color Consulting & Design, Princeton.
Pictured (l-r) Mike Killilea, HR
Manager, East New England
District, Laura Prunier and
William Walsh all of United
Parcel Service
The Big-Top Room
"Ladies & Gentlemen and Children of All Ages, Step into the big top
and let your imagination soar!"
It's hard to feel alone in
such an incredible room.
Dedicated with deep gratitude to all our friends at G. M.
Bergeron, Custom Builders for
their heartfelt dedication and
leadership.
Pictured in the Big-Top Room are (l-r)
Chad, Gerry and Wade Bergeron
along Jerry "Bigfoot" Kuntz, Bergeron
Project Manager
All Sherry's House window treatments donated by
Linda Tokarz of Rutland.
The Isabella Rose Capaldi
Children's Remembrance Gazebo
A Child-Dedicated Space
Due to compromised immune systems, children receiving cancer treatment are
asked not to go outside. This gazebo is designed to bring the outside, inside and
spark childhood wonder and play. It overlooks our brook and soon-to-be "Jason's
Children's Serenity Garden".
Pictured are Isabella's parents Kim and Ralph Capaldi
Comes to Life!
Fruit &
Jingles
Children's
Activity &
Performing
Arts Center
Arts and crafts,
games, DVD's, performing & visual arts, Pictured above Sue Oberg & Harvey
and music will be Jacobvitz aka "Fruit & Jingles"
part and parcel of our kid's activities program. This space
has been specially designed with a stage and gallery lighting
to showcase the children's budding art work . . . a welcome
relief from the hospital environment.
Parents Quiet Room
Funding generously provided by
Richard Lundgren & Family
A special place for
parents and caregivers
to relax and replenish.
Broadband Internet
connection enables
ease of communication to family members and loved ones.
Coming Spring 2005
The Jason White Children's Serenity
Garden & Waterfall
Conceived in loving memory of Jason White
Imagine a special garden place designed to heal on many levels from
children's cancer. Each family member needs a little peace & quiet and
serenity - escape to our babbling brook to daydream and imagine.
Jason is the son of our Family Services Director, Margaret White.
Margaret has provided a life-time of support to all our Why Me families, for
which we are eternally grateful.
Why Me Organizational Headquarters
A NEW HOME FOR WHY ME
Generously made possible with a grant from
The George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation
Pamela Bouley Sanborn
Storybook Family Lounge
A more private family
space to watch television, to
cozy up in their pajamas, read a
bedtime tale and snuggle.
Thanks to World of Unfinished
Furniture, Assabet students,
and Fred Cormier, pictured
right.
Pictured (l-r) Mullen Sawyer,
Ex. Dir. Sherry's House, along
with Fuller Foundation representatives, Joyce I. Fuller, Jan L.
Fuller and Mark W. Fuller,
Chairman
After almost twenty
years of providing love &
support for our families,
we're thrilled to finally
have our own specially
designed headquarters
that
we're
calling
"Command Central for
Support & Services".
Our new space will allow
us to better serve our
families and volunteers.Why Me provides
families with the direct social, logistical,
emotional and financial support they need, on
a daily basis, to successfully fight childhood
cancer.Why Me staff and volunteers are available when and where needed each day: at
home, in hospital, at cancer clinic and now at
Sherry's House.
Students, faculty and parents from the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School's Painting & Decorating class were invited to a special day of recognition that we recently
hosted for them at Sherry's House.
We were pleased to dedicate our "Jungle Room" bedroom in their honor for their tireless work over the past two and a half years: refurbishing the original home's woodwork,
matching all the new woodwork, painting the entire interior, and all the magnificent murals. In every way they have put their hearts and souls into this home, bringing it to life.
Their work is a treasure to behold. Our special thanks also goes out to their instructor and teacher, Tim Tonelli (pictured center). It was a pleasure working with everyone at
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.
Comes to Life!
Family Kitchen
Our New Sherry's
House Sign
Dedicated with deep gratitude to all our Sherry's
House All-Star Fun Run/Walk Teams, who have collectively
raised more than $500,000 over the past 5 years to build
Sherry's House.
Next Year - 2005 - Sherry's House All-Star Fun
Run/Walk Teams Las Vegas & Disneyworld! (see back page for
details)
Special thank you's to O'Coin's for discounting all the
appliances and the Westerman Family for completely outfitting our kitchen with professional quality kitchen supplies.
Kitchen and dining furniture provided by Michael & Joyce
Keegan, and Nichols & Stone Furniture.
Live-In Manager's Apartment
The cherry on top
of our sundae
Families join us for our dedication.
Lovingly created and donated
by Mark Herbert and Everyone at
Sunshine Sign Company of North
Grafton.
Can you imagine a better way
to honor our work and beautiful
new home?
Indoor Waterfall Fountain
Sculpture
Coming Soon!
Thanks to
John & Donna Sansoucy
& Sansoucy Stone
Sherry Anne Shepherd
13 Year Old Founder of Why Me
Worcester Help for Youth - Memories Everlasting
(W.H.Y. M.E.)
A live in presence from someone who has experienced all aspects
of childhood cancer and can offer support and guidance to our
kids and families in a most sensitive way. Generously made
possible with a grant from The Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation.
Pictured above with Terry Shepherd are Carolyn Dircks Van Riper
and children, TJ & Shannon.
Family Guest Rooms
Outfitted to make every difference
to healing . . .
High speed broadband internet connections & digital
cable television (provided in part by Charter Communications),
sound proofed rooms, air filtration like that found in
hospitals, ultra violet radiation to kill creepy things in the
ductwork, and private guest voice mail (courtesy of Barry
Communications).
Thank you to John Valentin, former third baseman with
the Boston Red Sox & Rotman's Furniture for contributing
towards all guest room bedding and four bedrooms of
furniture and to the Westerman Family for donating
DVD/television sets for all guest bedrooms.
Sherry was the first
patient admitted when
UMASS opened their
new pediatric oncology
clinic in 1981. She started a tradition of handing
out teddy bears to
welcome new children
to the ward. Sherry
helped many of her
fellow patients find
opportunities to lighten
their load: weekend retreats to the Cape, concerts, ordering pizza for
delivery to the back of a limo. After four years of cancer
treatment, she worked with her mom and dad to create a nonprofit organization to carry on her hospitality. Sherry’s legacy of love
lives on . . . every child served by UMASS Pediatric Oncology
Department is eligible to receive the support and services of Why
Me. Sherry’s House is a dream come true, created to provide love
and support to our 275 existing Why Me families and to each new
family that will have to face childhood cancer in the future.
Comes to Life!
Sherry's House Donors & Building Partners
Our Why Me Families
Decorating/Furnishings
Foundations
2003 - 2004
O'Coins HomeBrands
George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation
World of Unfinished Furniture
Quebec
UPS Foundation
John Valentin, former Third Baseman, Boston Red
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation, Inc.
Marathon
Sox
Stoddard Charitable Trust
Participants
Rotmans Furniture
Corporations
Fred Cormier
Commonwealth Office Furniture
Shepherd & Goldstein, LLP
David Penza
Debbie Hughes Johnson-Paint & Mural Artist
Picadilly Pub Restaurants
Kathy Kroll
Nichols & Stone
Lundgren Honda
Christine Cicero
Tatnuck Magnet School
Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Rodio
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School,
Contractors
Elizabeth Flanders
Valerie Morin
Paint & Decorating
G. M. Bergeron, Inc.-Custom Builder
Kayt O'Rourke
Linda Tokarz Window Treatments
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School,
Diana Pruzinsky
Melissa Ruttle Color Consulting & Decorating
Painting & Decorating
Jeff Morrison
Jen Niles-Artist
John E. Boyce, Architect
Doug McAllister
Westerman's Restaurant Supply
Mark E. Meacham, Inc.
Jerry & Selma Erlandson
Building 19
Lennox Air Conditioning
Evelyn Dolan
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Keegan
Venmar Air Purification
Donors
R.C. Shaw Sprinklers
Richard Lundgren & Family
Rivco Cabinetry
The San Francisco Foundation, Mr. & Mrs.
Hamshaw Lumber
Lawrence Stupski
Washusett Lumber
Grand Lodge, Grand Masters of Masons
Paradigm Windows
James & Joan Lyons
Associated Elevator Company
Tom Berg
Nesco Benjamin Lighting
David Ahlin
Barry Electric & Communications
Scott & Geraldine Baeder
Graves Engineering, Inc.
Jonathan Kirschner
Commercial Asbestos Removal
Judith Griffin
O'Connell Fire Protection
Joseph Carbonneau
A. L. Puriton Corp.
Ride New England
Morrison Fence
Kerri Coleman Memorial Fund
B & R Surveyors
Taylor Gardner Memorial Fund
Bekaert Specialty Films. LLC
Isabella Capaldi Memorial Fund
FW Webb Plumbing Supply
Jillian Bertonazzi Memorial Fund
Electronic Security Group
Junior League of Worcester
All-in-One Insulation
Members of the Worcester Regional
WalMart - Hudson & North Oxford
Peryea Company
Association of REALTORS stopped by for a
Ms. Carol Botty
Rome Building Products
tour of Sherry's House and to deliver their
Mr. & Mrs.William Rivernider
Steve Swedish Tree Service
$10,000 check as Presenting Sponsor of our
Mr. Rob Wirtanen
Family Holiday Party. Pictured in front row
Mark Wyco
(l-r) are Roz Levine and Karen Freeman,
Mr. Jason Kurchner
Rutland Nurseries
realtors and members of Why Me's Board
Amvets Auxiliary Post 1980 Marlboro
Energy Design Corporation
of Directors.
Worcester Executives Association
Wendy's Decorating Depot
200 Foundation, Inc.
Systematics
Gregory Peters Boy Scout Troup 9 Worcester
Valley Concrete
Economy Paint
Eagle Leasing
Dedication & Open House Days at Sherry's House
Abbott's Flooring
sponsored by Country Wide Home Loans - Karen Freeman
Williams Scotsman
Sunshine Sign Company
We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals and companies for helping us celebrate.
Central Mass Seamless Gutters
Sancoucy Stone
Neet Events
Immedia Sound
Ricciardi Brothers Excavating
Balloon Platoon
Patti & Bill Gianopoulus
Maurice Capistran
Sports Auctions for Charity
Lisa Jean, A Division of A Basket Case
Maureen Quinn
Ushkurnis Photography
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS
Keith Faucher Plastering
Taylor Rental,W. Boylston Street,Worcester Michele Villani, Ginette Trolsen,
WSRS-FM 96.1/WTAG AM580
Good As Gold Coffee
Mullen Sawyer, Irma Gennaro, Paula Mondino,
DNS-The Business Printer
SunriseCleaning Service
Jeannie Gallagher, Margaret White
Tacticom-Website Manager
Worcester Police Department-Traffic Control Jim Ashkurnis Photography
Charter Communications
Our Why Me Volunteers
A Great Big Bear Hug Thank You!
Just a small sampling of the many individuals, service clubs, religious organizations, corporations
and foundations who come to the aid of our kids. Thank you, thank you, thank you to....
Mr. and Mrs.William Rivernider
Dudley Police Department
The Stupinski Family Fund
US Marines Toys for Tots Campaign
Independent Order of Foresters - Fitchburg
Mr. James McGuire
Worcester Lodge of Elks
North High School Student Councel,Worcester
Umass Memorial Healthcare, Payroll Dept.
Worcester Art Museum
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Gerardi
Harbro Sales & Service
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Marcus
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Feldman
Computerized Horizons
Millbrook Distribution Services
TJ Maxx & More - Greendale Mall
Fallon Clinic,W. Boylston - IT Department
Carbonneau Adjusters
Worcester Ice Cats "Teddy Bear Toss"
J.J. O'Brien & Sons
Retired Men's Club of Greendale
Ms. Catherine Riordan & Mr. John Foley
Federated Church of Sturbrige & Fiskdale
Worcester Firefighter Auxillary
Cytec Corporation
Membership-First Congregational Church of Worc.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Duquette Friends and Family
The George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation
Walmart Store - Hudson
The Woman's Auxilliary Post #1980, Marlboro
Worcester District Medical Society Alliance
American Legion Auxiliary-Webster/DudleyUnit #184
Worcester Police Auxiliary
Thank you to the following friends for their generous grants to fund Why Me's Childhood
Cancer Lifeline.
Allmerica Financial Charitable Foundation
The Marshall Family Foundation
Fred Harris Daniels Foundation
The TJX Foundation
NE Hi-tech Charity Foundation
Washington Mutual Bank
The Susan Simpson Charity Fund
Why Me's Terence Shepherd,
center, presents a recognition
plaque to Piccadilly Pub Regional
Operations Managers Donald
Bonci (l) and John Eggers. The
Piccadilly Pub Restaurants has
been the presenting sponsor of
our All-Star Marathon Teams
who were raising funds for the
past five years to build Sherry's
House by participating in the
Bermuda Marathon. This year
with the help of the Piccadilly
Pub Restaurants and our
runners, walkers and supporters,
more than $500,000 total has
been raised so far. In January
2005 we're moving our AllStar Teams to Las Vegas and
Disney World !
1999 - 2004 Bermuda Marathon Participants
Mark Allen
Lisa Arcabascio
Kevin Barry
Cheryl Baskin
Karen & Jodi Belliveau
Bridget Bergan
Christopher Bitzas
Cathleen Bradshaw
Kayt O'Rourke
Colleen Brosnihan
Ann Brunelle
Kimberly Bumstead
Cheryl Burgess
Sandra & Nicole Buron
Lisa Burrill
Steven Cannon
Edith & Apryl Cardwell
Debbie Carlson
Ann Carrigan
Tracey Cavaco
Steve, Bonnie & Corey Coleman
Fred & Dale Cormier
Stephen Crawford
Heather Cremins
Kathy Cullion
Carol D'Amico
Gina Daw
Suzanne Demsey
Anne Dickinson
Heather Doerr
Evelyn Dolan
John Donovan
Elizabeth Dunn
John Eggers
Jerry & Selma Erlandson
Gretchen Ficara
Heather Frechette
Melissa French
Irma Gennaro
Brian Germain
Nancy Greenberg
Nancy Griffis
Rob Halvorsen
Karla Hanson
Cynthia Hawkesworth
Thayne Hendricks
John Herlihy
Jane Hill
Nancy Hill
Roberta Hlatky-Hall
Ann Holden
Bill Hulsey
Heidi Hyotte
Deborah Johnson
Deborah Jones
Vreg Kandoyan
Rob Kasprzak
Jacqueline Kearns
Lisa Khoury
Matt Kiechle
Hilda Kogurt
Bill & Laura Krauss
Kathy Kroll
Karen Lachner-Bliss
Pauline Lajoie
Elizabeth Lloyd
Gordon, Denise & Gordie Lockbaum
Gail Lucas
Sherri Lundell
Barry Lundgren
David Lundgren
Richard Lundgren
Kevin Lynch
Nydia Machado
David Manning
Leah Martin
Malia Mason
Doug McAllister
Annette McDonnell
Inez McKenzie
Susan McMahon
Brian Meaney
Cheryl Miller
Michael Miller
Paula Mondino
Valerie Morin
Jeff Morrison
Paula Murphy
Dean Murphy
Katherine Murphy
Richard Murray
Christine Needham
Cynthia Normandie
Sacha O'Brien
Kayt O'Rourke
Dale Para
Julie Paradis
Donna Payne
Sharon Pedone
Susan Petrosky
David Penza
Tara Perry
Diana Pruzinsky
Pamela Reidy
Philip & Tammy Renaud
Peter Richard
Jeanne Rossetti
Kathleen Rowe
Margy Roy
Penny Sabourin
Diane Sacco-Dalton
Rose Schilling
Anne Schofield
Ken Segal
Andy Sharry
Jack & Marilyn Sharry
Carolyn Shea
Robert Shusterman
Robert Smith
Marci Smith
Jennifer Spidle
Bill & Tina Sullivan
Kara Sullivan
John & Zee Swenson
Mary Swiatek
Francis Taylor
Sheryl Taylor
Wanda Taylor
Janet Tedeschi
Jennifer Teed
Cathleen Tierney
Jami Wessels
Scott Winchester
Jane and Sheila Wyco
Linda Wyman
Giving Opportunities
Designated Giving In Memory of
or In Honor of...
You can direct your donation to support any of our
programs and services. We will be happy to match up your
gift for you to honor or memorialize a friend, co-worker or
loved one.
The Gift of Volunteering is Priceless
Amazing! Fabulous! Sensational! That's just a few words to
describe a Why Me volunteer. We know we would never be able to
help the hundreds of kids and families we serve throughout the year
without the generosity of our volunteers. They give selflessly of their
time and their love in so many ways. If you would like to learn more
about how you can make a difference in the life of our special
families,please contact our office and ask for Volunteer Coordinator
Jeanne Gallagher.
Leave A Legacy
Why Me, Inc. accepts bequests
of any kind. (ie. life insurance, real
estate, stocks, bonds) made through
a Last Will and Testament. Let our
financial advisor help tailor make the
right planned gift for you. Plan now
to have the greatest tax savings.
You Can Help
Brighten the
Holidays for Our
Kids & Families!
Why not send your
donation in honor of, or in memory
of a loved one? It’s a great way to
spread holiday cheer!Thank You
You Can
Designate Your
United Way
Gift to Why Me
Simply write in Why Me's
name to be the recipient on
your United Way pledge
form. Why Me is an
approved "Certified" agency
of the United Way of North
Central Massachusetts. We
thank you for remembering
"our" kids with your pledge.
Family Fun Events:
Year-round events for Why Me families to bring the whole family together with other families,
solely for the purpose of having fun and sharing.
October 17, 2004 Sunday - Why Me's Family Halloween Costume Party, Holiday Inn, Marlboro
December 5, 2004 Sunday Why Me's Family Holiday Party, Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlboro
Sponsored by the Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS
February 4, 5 & 6, 2005 -”Circle of Healing" Parents Retreat - Hole-in-the-Wall Gang Camp,
Ashford, CT
March 6, 2005 Sunday - Why Me's Family Clown Cavalcade - Holiday Inn,Worcester
April 9, 2005 - Why Me's Ninth Annual IceCats Adventure,Worcester Centrum,Worcester
Sponsored by Allmerica Financial Charitable Foundation & the Worcester IceCats
Children Who Reach Out
to Help Other Children
These thoughtful gestures, by children for children,
will surely brighten the day for our kids
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to . . .
The students from Tatnuck Magnet School
Third grade students at the Paton School, Shrewsbury
Emily and Katie Mandara who created and sold jewelry
and crafts to help our kids.
Mrs. Largess' Fifth grade class at Roosevelt
Elementary School, Worcester for their get well cards
The students at the First Baptist Church of North Oxford
Vacation Bible School for their generous collection.
The Brownie Troop #141, West Tatnuck School for their
hand made teddy bears.
The students at Kappa Delta Pi, Worcester Sate College
for new books.
The faculty, staff and students at the MA College of
Pharmacy for their gifts for our kids.
Brownie Troop 514 & Webster Girls Scout Troop #558 for
their toys and get well cards.
Girl Scout Troop #9, Worcester for their Mother's Gift Bag
items and cards.
Noelle Sturm and the members of International Order or
Rainbow for their donation.
Great Job Kids!
Fall/Winter 2004-2005 Fund Raising Events
Always check our website for additions and changes
Proceeds fund Why Me programs
for children/families and Sherry's House
October 2, 2004 - "Halloween Haunted Forest" - A Community
Family Event hosted by the Independent Order of Foresters, Camp
Collier, Gardner, MA - contact Ben Wales 978-688-6868 or 508-2697872 NOTE NEW LOCATION
October 11, 2004 - Lennie Peterson's "Seventh Annual 39 1/2
Birthday Bash" - Plantation Club, Worcester - contact Lennie
Peterson 781-545-8022
November 19, 2004 - Bridget’s Bash - Knights of Columbus,
Worcester - contact Mark Wyco 508-792-2307
December 10, 2004 - 2nd Annual Gold Ribbon Holiday
Reception - Embassy Suites, Marlboro - contact John Sousa 508-3801797
January 30, 2005 - Sherry's House All-Star Marathon Team - Las
Vegas International Marathon (Jan28th – Feb 1st) - contact Deb
Greenslit 508-756-8795 or Paula Mondino 508-757-7734
February 6, 2005 - Chocolate Lover's Wine Tasting - Nantasket
Beach Hotel, Hull, MA - contact Sue Oberg 781-925-9793
February 12, 2005 - Bella's Ball,A Valentine Event in Memory of
Isabella Capaldi - Manor Restaurant, W. Boylston 6:30 pm until? contact Ralph or Kim Capaldi 508-832-9934
Volunteer & Support Group Meetings
Volunteer Meetings:
Become a Why Me volunteer and you're sure to meet
new friends, help others less fortunate and make a difference in the life of a child.
We're in full swing with our family events, fund raisers
and family support and welcome your support.
Location: Sherry's House, 1152 Pleasant
Street,Worcester*
Mark your Calendars:
Thursday - October 14, 2004 - Topic:
Halloween Party & Sherry's House needs
Thursday - November 18, 2004 - Topic:
Christmas Party & Holiday Happening
Thursday - December 16, 2004 - Topic:
Holiday Happenings
Thursday - January 20, 2005 - Topic:
Sherry's House & Upcoming Fund Raisers
If you have any questions, please call Volunteer
Coordinator, Jeanne Gallagher at the Why
Me/Sherry's House office 508 757-7734.
Volunteer Appreciation Corner
Our Helping Hand Award gives
recognition and a thank you to a special
Why Me volunteer(s).
Their gift of time, talent and resources is most precious.
We are
dedicating this
issue to two of
our very own
special angels,
we call them:
"Our Nancies"
We don't
know what we
would
have
Volunteers (l-r) Nancy Ambrose & Nancy Griffis are picdone if they
tured at the pediatric oncology clinic doing what they do
hadn't
come
best....in this case, helping Jonathan celebrate his end of
into our lives.
treatment.
They are each
loving & caring and sure know how to make the children laugh and
smile. Dedication is their middle name for they have an aura of
love around them that encircles anyone they meet. There are no
words that can express our gratitude for their help. We love "Our
Nancies"!
Bereavement Support Groups:
“Circle of Healing”
Parent Support Group
Sherry's House,
1152 Pleasant Street,Worcester
7:00 p.m.
October 18 • November 15
December 20 • January 17
• February 4, 5 & 6, 2005 •
Parent’s Weekend Retreat to
“Hole-In-The-Wall Gang” Camp,
Ashford, CT
Why Me offers support and a safe haven to parents
who have lost their child to cancer. Our "Circle of Healing"
support group meets monthly September through May.
"Mixture of Memories"
Sibling Support Group
Led by Ann Marie Bouchard,Why Me offers a support group
for siblings who have lost their brother or sister to cancer. Each
month meetings are held on the same dates, times and location
as our parent bereavement support group meetings.
Sherry's House Is
New Home For
Why Me's New
Family Support
Groups
We are planning our Why Me
Support Groups Program at Sherry's
House. We will have separate
groups for the child/teen with cancer, the siblings and the parents. Each
group will be held at the same time, but will meet in different rooms at
Sherry's House. Groups will be facilitated by professional individuals,
some who are Why Me cancer survivors, parents and siblings. We believe
that this will make these groups unique because these facilitators will be
their personal touch and will have a better understanding of family needs.
Our Family Support Groups will be in group format and not individual therapy. We encourage our families to seek individual professional
help whenever necessary. Please remember our support groups will be
to compliment individual care management. We have found that
connecting child to child, mom to mom, family to family to have far reaching benefits to coping.
Doctor Joe
Why Me mom,
Deb Johnson,
and her mural.
Congratulations to our
long time volunteer, Joe
Cocozella. Joe is now our
"official" Why Me doctor. We
always knew that someday we
could call him Doctor Joe. He
is definitely the next Patch
Adams! We love you, Doctor
Joe!
Family News
Welcome to Our New Children and Families
• Patrick • Nathaniel • Benjamin • Ethan • Peter • Madison
• Amandeep • Franco • Steven • Joseph • Cassie • Kathleen
• Samantha • Sydnie • Dominic • Derek • Ramon • Antonio
• Tyler • Abigail • Joey • Lucas
If any of our new families have any questions about Why
Me and the services we provide, please feel free to contact
Margaret White at Sherry's House 508-757-7734.
Family Updates
Our thoughts and prayers are with Edward’s family and
Tim’s family.
Congratulations to Yundu, age 14, on her successful
Piano solo recital this past March at the CFA Concert Hall,
Boston University. Yundu is a very gifted musician winning
numerous awards for her talent including First Prize for
Solo, 18th International Young Artists Piano Competition 2003. Bravo!
“Card Fairy” - Families, please
note new E-mail address
Our "card fairy" will be happy to
send cards to kids whether on
treatment, in the hospital, for off
treatment celebrations, birthdays
or any other special occasion. If
you know of a child who would
appreciate hearing from her, or
know of a special occasion for a
child, please call her at
508-877-3737,e-mail her at
chumsorg@msn.com or write
her at 81L Nicholas Road,
Framingham 01701.
www.whyme.org
Many thanks . . .The Why
Me Web site is made
possible through the
generosity of TactiCom:
508-393-9955
Last Thoughts . . .
As always, our thoughts and
prayers are with all our children
and families.
Our congratulations on completing their end of treatment
to: Jeremy, Celeigh, Amy, Jonathan, Caren, Mikey, Jacob,
Nathan, Samantha, Marissa, Ryan and Tia. Yeah kids. You're
fabulous, awesome and amazing!
Congratulations to the family of Kaitlyn Olivia on the birth
of their new baby daughter, and to the family of Maxwell
on the birth of their new baby boy!
Thank you to Taylor’s family for your donations on the
occasion of his fifth birthday. Happy Birthday,Taylor!
Congratulations to college bound Why Me "kids":
Danielle bound for Warner South College, Lake Wales,
Florida
Cody to Quinsigamond Community College,Worcester
If you are a Why Me family and would like to learn how
to send your child to the best college possible . . .
and be able to afford it!
Call Why Me dad, Joe MacMunn, for assistance.
The Why Me children, Heather, Jessica and
Nathan stopped by our office to drop off
Christmas presents to help another Why Me
family. Last year we were able to give the
family holiday presents to help them through a
tough time. So, this past holiday they wanted to
help another family through their own difficult
holiday season. Nathan also had a can and
bottle drive and collected $14. Thank you kids!
Have you Had Your Wish Granted?
Any Why Me child or teen who receives their care at The
Children's Medical Center at the University of
Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA
and who has not had their wish granted them by one of the
wish-granting foundations, is urged to contact Cheryl
Oliveri, Social Worker at the Children's Medical Center for
further details. Cheryl can be reached at 508-856-6298.
If your child is being treated at another hospital, please
contact their social worker directly.
Family Services
Margaret White, our Family Services Director and her team
of skilled volunteers are available (in hospital, at home and
soon, at Sherry’s House) to help families find the information,
resources and support they need to fight childhood cancer.
A poem written by
Lindsay, age 11
HOPE
Hope is a thing that falls from
the sky,
It's such a great thing
Don't ask me why.
Hope can kill fear, or hope can
Kill dreams,
Hope is found mostly at
wishing streams.
When something is wrong,
And nothings gone right,
Hope is the thing
that will make
Everything alright.
We Want to Hear From Our Kids and Families
Family news is important, and if we have missed some
important info on your family, we are sorry. Please forward
your news to our new location at 1152 Pleasant Street,
Worcester, MA 01602. We would love to share it with
others who understand and care.
Why Me's Lindsay had a party
to celebrate her ending 4 years
of treatment. Friends and family
members collected $735 to give
to Lindsay who turned around
and donated it all to help other
Why Me kids and families.
Thank you, Lindsay. We love you!
HARVARD BOUND!
Why Me teen, Emily, celebrates her nineteenth
birthday with us and is joined by volunteers,
Nancy Ambrose and Nancy Griffis. We offer
our heartfelt congratulations to Emily as she
begins her new adventure as a Harvard College
student.
Hope creates dreams, or
rather not fear,
but most good hope
is happening
when Christ is near.
So when you're feeling
gloomy,
you know what I'll say,
try hope my dear,
and that will make your day.
You Can Help Brighten
the Life of a Child!
Sponsor a Family Fun Event.
We’ll be happy to tailor make a
sponsorship package to fit your
corporate or individual needs.
Family Halloween Costume
Party / October
Clown
Cavalcade
February
IceCats Hockey Adventure
March
sponsored by Allmerica Financial Charitable
Foundation, the Worcester IceCats & Integrated
Sports Marketing
Family Holiday Party
/ December
presenting sponsor - Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS
he Year,
Throughout t
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Pediatric Onc
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Sherry’s Hou
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a
Hospital,
Families, Kids,
Individuals, Amateur Athletes
Sign Up NOW for
DISNEY WORLD or LAS VEGAS!
January 2005
Join Our Sherry’s House
All-Star Fun Run/Walk Teams
Every Step Leads to Helping
Central New England Kids With Cancer
This event is truly for everyone! Families, Kids,
•Amateur
Athletes…anyone can be a part of Sherry’s Team.
Runners,Walkers, Cheerleaders, Everyone!
DISNEY WORLD - An event that’s open to kids and
•adults
and those of us who never want to grow up.
Choose from an easy Family Fun Run 5K (3mi) or a half or
full marathon. Kids can join in too, and enter the Kids
Races for 8 yr. olds and younger. Or, how ‘bout entering
your youngest family member in the Infant Diaper Dash?
•
LAS VEGAS – The city that never sleeps invites you
to choose from the easy 5K (3 mi.) or the half or full
marathon. Las Vegas…for a thrill you will never forget.
details visit www.whyme.org/marathon.
•htmlForor additional
call event coordinator, Deb Greenslit, at 508-7568795 or 508-954-2090.
Commemorative Colorized Newsletter
sponsored by
THE BUSINESS PRINTER
ening
p
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Celebrahtierry’s House!
of S
A non-profit, charitable organization
1152 Pleasant Street
Worcester, MA 01602
Why Me & Sherry’s House
Wish List
(Due to cancer treatment, we ask that all items be new)
Bedding - twin cotton sheet sets, twin Vellux blankets,
pillows & covers - white
Art supplies, Little Tyke toys, new children's books - all ages,
gifts for teenagers
Landscaping - garden benches, trees / shrubs, organic vegetable
garden, cutting flower garden, decorative fencing, garden tools,
snowblower, storage shed
Phone Card
Laptop computers, notecards/stationary
Digital video camcorder
Laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins
Bath towels,washcloths,hand towels - white or pale yellow only please
Non-perishable foodstuffs - canned goods, rice, pasta, etc.
Tickets for sport and show events, movies, and amusement parks
Disposable cameras
Gift certificates for food, clothing (ie;Walmart, K-Mart, Shaws,
Stop & Shop, etc.)
Hand-held computer games, board games, videos, puzzles,
etch-a-sketch, etc
Gift certificates to Friendly's Burger King, McDonald's, Papa Ginos