Dear Friends and Family,
Eleven was always a special number for Summer. Whenever a clock hit 11:11, she would stop and tell everyone to make a wish. So it seemed fittingly ironic that she died on 11/11. And now it’s been 11 years to the day since we lost her. In keeping with this bittersweet moment, we are sending you this message at 11:11 am.
Today is the day we launch our end-of-year Team Summer Matching Gift Challenge! At the time of her death, Summer made it clear that she didn’t want anyone to be sad. So I think she’d like the way we all band together on this day and turn it into something positive and uplifting. And I know she’d be proud of the way her brilliant idea to help kids with cancer has caught on all over the country. Our Team Summer kids have touched the lives of kids with cancer in 27 states!!
An amazing group of Team Summer supporters – listed at the bottom of this email! – have put together a Challenge Fund that will match your tax-deductible* contributions – dollar for dollar – up to $20,000! If you donate $50, Team Summer will get $100; if you donate $100, Team Summer will get $200. I’m full of hope that you all will help us reach this goal!
Once kids get a Team Summer gift, they are then encouraged to find another kid to help. Giving helps kids get their minds off their own troubles as they focus on helping others.
Here’s a recent example of how it works: These three amazing kids have something pretty awful in common – brain cancer. All three of them have gone through debilitating treatments, including brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Your donations gave them to ability to shine a light into their darkness. This chain of giving starts with Evan, who lives in Wisconsin. He got a fishing rod and reel as his Team Summer gift!
Evan then turned around and nominated Madison, who lives in Illinois. Her isolation was really getting to her, so Evan got her a virtual reality gaming system so she could still hang out with her friends…virtually!
Madison then nominated Payton in Utah who loves all things makeup! Madison got Payton a vanity desk with lights and tons of makeup and supplies. Now Payton can dive into that glamour world whenever she wants!
And Payton has already nominated two more kids and is busy planning their surprises! Stay tuned about that!
Your generosity made these and hundreds of other gifts like them possible! And the success of this fundraiser has everything to do with how many kids with cancer Team Summer can help in 2024. Remember, your donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $20,000!
On behalf of my beautiful daughter, whose vision, compassion, and empathy started all this, thank you in advance for accepting this Challenge. And next time you see 11:11 on a clock, think of Summer and make a wish!
Much love,
Lynne Dale
President
Team Summer
This is the remarkable group of Team Summer supporters whose generosity created our Challenge Fund. I am grateful beyond words!
HawkPartners
Specialty Center for Periodontics and Dental Implants
Jennifer Barnes
Holly and George Batchelor
Elizabeth and Frank Blake
Tracy Carusi
Jan and Avery DeLong
Melissa Demetrops
Robert and Janet Dobson
Linton and Priscilla Hopkins
Jeri Moran and Shaun Rawls
Nancy Neufer
Jeff and Betsy Sherry
