A message from Lynne Dale, Summer’s mom:
Fourteen years ago today, Summer left this world. No matter how much time passes, November 11th is always a very tough day for me. Through the years, I’ve learned to manage my grief day to day. It’s as if I have built a wall inside myself, and behind it is the hot molten lava of heartbreak. I live on the other side of that wall, and most of the time, the wall holds the lava back. But not on November 11th. Today is a day when I schedule nothing because I already know that I will fall apart. On this day, my wall fails, and the hot lava burns deep into my soul.
On a day like today, I am grateful I have Team Summer to focus on. Just as Team Summer helped Summer cope with her difficult diagnosis and treatment, it has given me that same gift. Turning my attention to Team Summer helps me more than I can say.
So, this is the day we launch our Annual Matching Challenge. It’s a way to honor Summer’s life and celebrate everything she started. And it gives me something positive to focus on.
Thanks to an incredible group of Team Summer supporters, your tax-deductible* donations will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000! That means a $50 donation becomes $100, and a $100 donation becomes $200 — doubling the impact for kids fighting cancer!
I have two more exciting things to share:
First, Team Summer has now reached kids in 40 states! Look at all that PURPLE!
Second, I was recently invited to share Summer’s story on the Help and Hope Happen Here podcast with host Mark Levine. We talked about Summer’s remarkable transformation during her cancer journey, the mission she created, and the incredible ways Team Summer kids continue to help one another. I think Summer would be thrilled to know that her brilliant idea has not only spread across the country but is now also reaching new audiences through a podcast! I’d love for you to take a listen.
I leave you with some of the faces of kids touched by Team Summer this year. What makes this organization so special is that every Team Summer gift is given by a kid with cancer to another kid with cancer. Together, they find empathy and connection because — as Summer always said — only another kid with cancer can really understand what it’s like to be a kid with cancer.
Team Summer would not be possible without the generosity of people like you. Every gift, every smile, and every new state on our map reminds us that Summer’s compassion lives on. And during our Annual Matching Challenge, your support can go twice as far!
Or send a check to:
Team Summer
P.O. Box 9013
Atlanta, GA 31106
On behalf of my beautiful daughter, whose vision, compassion, and determination started all of this, thank you for helping her dream continue to grow.
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
Jan and Avery DeLong
Melissa and Kirk Demetrops
Robert and Janet Dobson
Linton and Priscilla Hopkins
Scott Levere
Jeri Moran and Shaun Rawls
Nancy Neufer
Jeff and Betsy Sherry
Corporate Donors
HawkPartners
OdysseyRe
Specialty Center for Periodontics and Dental Implants
*Team Summer, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
