A message from Lynne Dale, Summer’s mom:
Twelve. That’s how many years have passed since Summer died. Twelve years ago today. Grief is peculiar. It can hide so cleverly within you that you have the audacity to think the worst is behind you. And then on anniversaries like this one, grief comes at you so hard and so fast that it takes your breath away.
On days like today, everything about who Summer was comes back to me in sharp focus. She was a force of nature. Loud and shy all at the same time. Fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Here’s a memory: It’s September 2012. Summer is just out of brain surgery. She’s still in the recovery room, barely awake, head all bandaged up. Her cellphone rings. It’s one of her friends. I can only hear Summer’s side of the conversation: “Oh, I’m fine. This is nothing. But let’s talk about YOU. Are you okay?” And she proceeds to coach her friend through a problem. That little scene was Summer to a tee. And if she were still with us, she would be caring for every kid with cancer she could wrap her arms around.
On this very important day, we launch our Annual Matching Challenge. 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!
Team Summer is STILL GROWING! Currently we have given gifts in 30 states, and we are working on the 31st right now! Look at all that purple! We’ve even given our first gift all the way up (down on this map!) in Alaska. More on that later.
Every Team Summer gift is given by a kid with cancer to another kid with cancer. We could not be more proud of our kids and the way they are helping each other through some of the toughest days of their young lives. Check out the faces of just a handful of the kids Team Summer has touched this year, getting gifts such as a trampoline, batting cage, surfboard, concert tickets, and bounce house – anything that will bring joy and help them cope with their difficult treatments.
Every Team Summer gift is funded through donations from generous people like you! And the best part is that with our Annual Matching Challenge, your donation will be doubled!
Team Summer
P.O. Box 9013
Atlanta, GA 31106
On behalf of my beautiful daughter, whose vision, compassion, and empathy started all this, thank you in advance for accepting this Challenge. Especially on this most challenging day.
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!
Gold Level Donors
Cathi and Chad Morriss
Individual Donors
Jennifer Barnes
Holly and George Batchelor
Elizabeth and Frank Blake
Tracy Carusi
Melissa Demetrops
Robert and Janet Dobson
Scott Levere
Liza and Derrick McSwain
Jeri Moran and Shaun Rawls
Nancy Neufer
Jeff and Betsy Sherry
Anonymous Donor
Corporate Donors
HawkPartners
Specialty Center for Periodontics and Dental Implants
