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Happy Holidays from The RAKMF and Ryan’s Run
Thank you, once again, for your generous support of the Ryan Andrew Kaiser Memorial Foundation. During this season of hope, we wish to highlight some of the ways in which your goodwill has touched others this year.
Because of the kindness of individuals and businesses like yours, 2008 has seen the funding for construction of a new children’s playroom at Jersey Shore Medical Center, assistance to families through direct grants for medical and travel expenses, and contribution to our fourth playground project at Fairview Elementary School in Middletown, NJ. In all the RAKMF has donated approximately $60,000 to these endeavors.
As we continue to expand our footprint and the ways we are able to assist families in need, we only hope that the foundation will reach a broader spectrum of those throughout the United Stated - similar to the ways RAKMF was able to help these families:
The family of two-year-old Ridge McCall who is in need of a new heart.
Traveling to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for treatment, the McCalls required assistance with lodging and we were able to provide seven nights at a nearby hotel. They wrote, "We are so blessed by the gift you have given us and taking away the stress on the part of where we can stay. Thank you so much and, also, God bless again!"
The family of two-year-old Devon Paulson who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The Paulsons traveled from Montana to New York City and asked us for lodging assistance near St. Luke’s Medical Center. We were able to fund their accommodations and afterwards they wrote, "You have no idea how much you have helped me already! Lodging is one of the biggest expenses when we travel to New York."
The family of newborn Keith Goff born with a congenital heart defect.
Undergoing lifesaving heart surgery shortly after birth, the Goff family was left with staggering medical bills. The RAKMF was able to pay the surgical bills in full.
Ryan's Run continues to be the sole fundraising event for RAKMF and, this year, celebrated its 5th anniversary.
Thanks to great weather, fantastic runners, and loyal sponsors, the event drew a record crowd of nearly 800 people and raised approximately $55,000 towards our mission of financially assisting families with critically ill children, providing grants and funding to doctors and hospitals that specialize in the care and cure of pediatric cardiac patients, and helping fund, plan, and build children’s playgrounds.
Mario Gagliano, Co-Director of Ryan’s Run, took third in his age group this year and said, "Ryan's Run and the foundation are really a great tribute to Ryan and an inspiration to all parents who have suffered a loss - not to mention the reminder to all of us who haven’t suffered loss to be grateful every day we don’t have to face the same thing."
Looking forward to the New Year, the RAKMF Board of Trustees is busy planning Ryan’s Run for June 20, 2009. Because of the people we touch throughout the year, the run continues to grow in both the running and local philanthropic community of Monmouth County, New Jersey.
The Goff family, who we assisted with monetary grants for surgical bills, is a true example of the reciprocal nature of the RAKMF and Ryan’s Run. Tracy Goff wrote, "I want to thank you so much for your help. As you must know, Keith’s diagnosis and surgery was a tremendous stress on our family. The bills that followed were a shock and added stress. Just knowing that there are places like your foundation gives us hope that we may be able to get through this."
"I have already emailed both of my daughter’s Girl Scout troop leaders and the Fire Corps from my husband’s fire department to ask if they would consider helping with next year’s Ryan’s Run. I can tell you that my family, and all five of my children, will be at the run next year."
"You are truly making a difference in people’s lives."
Again, it is in part to you and your generosity that we are able to make these differences in the lives of others. Thank you for all your support and we look forward to a new year, full of new hope, and the opportunity to touch new lives.
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