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"A Long December"
December 2012
I spent so much time this year fighting for children's causes. Whether it was pediatric cancer funding through the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation,
CureSearch, or Kick-It, or supporting children's homes during the holiday season through Lexie's Challenge for
The Kyle Busch Foundation, it was about giving kids a fighting chance in life. That's why it felt like so much came crashing down
on a horrible Friday morning in December.
The days following the tragedy at Sandy Hook have shaken my emotional core with incredibly grief and heartbreak.
If you think hard enough, you can probably remember some of your experiences in first grade. My memories of first grade are much more vivid than
other years in elementary school. I met a lifelong friend. I learned how to craft a story. And I had an amazing
teacher who fostered a keen sense of imagination in a skinny 6-year-old. Thank you Mrs. Hassol.
After flying home on Friday night prior to the Christmas holiday, I walked into the house and almost immediately went up to the attic where
I knew a lot of old pictures were kept. It took an hour until I found the one I was looking for: the group picture of my first
grade class. I spent time looking at the faces of the 6-year-old kids and realized I could probably
name at least 90 percent of the class just on memory. Every one of the kids in the picture had a life of pages waiting to be filled. And then,
with tears welling in my eyes, I thought about Sandy Hook.
On a personal level, this feels very different than the immediate aftermath of 9/11. In 2001, there was a lot of anger directed toward the Arab world in the ensuing days, weeks, and years
following the attack. The recent shooting at Sandy Hook was an attack on America's greatest natural resource -- our children's innocence. We can never forget who we lost on December 14.
And we need to do our best as a society to honor their memory the best way we can.
For our children, we have to do better. We need to do better. We absolutely must do better. In memory of Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeleine, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica,
Avielle, Benjamin, and Allison. In memory of Dawn, Mary, Victoria, Lauren, Rachel and Anne.
Fight On
When I think about what I've accomplished this year, I have to start with one person: Jackson Panzarello. He was my inspiration and motivation
throughout the year to raise as much money as I could for pediatric cancer research and treatment. People have asked me about
Jackson's impact on what I've done. Before he came into my life in the spring of 2011, I raised about $1,100 for pediatric
cancer research. Since April 2011, I've raised nearly $34,000 for pediatric cancer research -- including $26,000 this year. As difficult as the month of June
was with his passing, it's his memory that continues to serve as a guiding ray of hope.
Benji asked whether I viewed all the work I've done as a success. Like many others, I measure success by the impact I've
had on others and the impact they've had on me. As such, this has been an incredibly successful year and I can never thank YOU -- the reader -- enough.
Above all else, I'm appreciative of the support I've received from the people listed below.
A major debt of gratitude to...
Molly Harris. Thank you so much for donating items for the fundraising raffles. You have made an incredible
difference in the lives of children battling cancer. Thank you for your friendship over the years. It truly means the world
to me. There is something more, just beyond our vision.
Helen Thompson. Thanks for supporting the fundraising efforts. Thank you for your friendship and your
perspective. I hold both in extremely high regard.
Trish Kriger, Katie Harty, Rachelle Harty (JGCF). Thank you for the support throughout the year. I'm so appreciative of the work you do
every single day to make a difference in the lives of children. And thanks for thinking of me for the Kick It program with Jennifer. It was truly one of the greatest days I've had
to see the hard work come to fruition on a humid morning in Miami. Special thanks to your boss too!
Alabama Ralston. Thank you for your amazing support of all of my fundraising efforts. You are an amazing person and I'm
blessed to know you.
Angus Bedard. Thanks for supporting all of the fundraisers this year. I truly enjoy filling out customs forms to
ship raffle/auction items up to you in Quebec because it means we're one step closer to ending pediatric cancer.
Judy Duckworth. Thank you for making a difference in Chad's memory. I think he'd be honored to know how you've supported his favorite
driver's charity.
Trent Broin and Wallhaulers. Thanks for donating the Wallhauler for the Miami Kick It event, and for making a difference all year for pediatric
cancer research.
Nena Asbury. It might have just been a nonsensical chat on a December night, but you made a difference when he needed it most. Thank you.
Erica Melon. Congrats again to you and Jasen on the two new additions this year. Best wishes to Miss Harlee.
Patty Ham. It was great to finally meet you in May. See, I told you I really had no interest in racing. Just don't tell anyone ;-).
Twitter and Facebook fans.
I started a small website 15 years ago and it has turned into an all-encompassing media experience. There's a
magestic freedom to saying and doing what you please, while also making a difference
in people's lives. I feel blessed to have gotten to know some of you beyond the
screen names.
Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation
The bulk of my fundraising efforts supported the JGCF. We had more than a half dozen different raffles, with the most successful being the one
in July following Jackson's passing. I also hit the pavement and ran three 5K races in 2012 to benefit The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation. In January, I ran at
Daytona International Speedway on the morning of the Rolex24 and raised $1,131 for the JGCF. There's nothing like running down the backstretch at the most
famous stock car track in the world while the sun rises over turn 3. A few weeks after that, I ran the March For Hunger 5K in
Hollywood Beach and raised $821 for the JGCF. Over the summer, I ran the Hemingway Days 5K in Key West as a JGCF fundraiser
in memory of Jackson.
THANK YOU TO THE 2012 JGCF DONORS: Abby Phillips, Adam Sykora, Alan Ragsdale, Ann Myers, Anna Arthur, Annette Hamrick (thanks for putting me over $26K!), Arturo Salazar, Bettina Wright, Bill Kapitan, Bob Flippo,
Brad Ebel, Brandy Moore-Gregory, Brian Cole, Brigid O'Donnell, Carol Rohde, Caroline Scornavacchi, Cathleen Ricci, Cheryl Looney, Chris Losurdo, Christina Dell,
Cindy Peterson, Colleen Kenyon (enjoy the Wallhauler!), Connie Burclaw, Connie Justice, Daniel Harmon, Danielle Koche, Debbie Corbitt,
Debbie Dahl, Debbie Billings, Diana Ranke, Dianna Poole, Dianna Zajic, Dina Vickery, Donna Hughey, Donna Foster, DonnaLee Jarvis,
Doris Bartlett, Dustin Wickizer, George Houle, George Williamson, Heather Berry, Heather Cook, Helen Magness, James Selinger,
James Michel, Janet Ambrose, Jason Warren, Jason Anhock, Jason Hunt, Jennifer Price, Jennifer McCoy,
Jim Higbee, Jody Mohler, John Farley, John Farrelly, John McCormick, John Davis, Judy Roehm, Katherine Kitts, Kathleen Bertolotti,
Kathy Smith, Laura Conson, Leon Emmons, Linda Heath, Linda and Bill Walker, Louis Albright, Lucy Schaefer, Lynda Roy, Lynn Brown,
Marco Forotti, Maria Davis, Mark Dottle, Mark Scarborough, Mary Bailey, Melissa Van de Wal, Melody LaNew, Melvin Pulver, Michael Harris, Michael Anderson,
Michelle Messina, Michelle Jaremko, Mike Bordon, Nancy Tanzey, Nancy Goodman-Gill, Olivia Talbert, Pamala Petrino, Pamela Sirgi,
Patty Gonoude, Paul Schonfeld, Paul Calabro, Pete Lancaster, Peter King, Rachel Russell, ReBecca Cochran, Regina Shepherd, Renee Ratterree,
Robin Fifer, Roger Van Ostrand, Rose Sprague, Russell Ray, Ryan Mann, Sally McLafferty, Sally Spencer, Sandie Nicholls, Sandra Medura,
Sarah Davis, Shane Danks, Sharon Stacy, Sonja Ellis, Stephanie McLaughlin, Steve Behrent, Sue Curtice, Sue Dufour, Summer Ball,
Susanne Harrington, Susan Foster, Tammy Lee, Tammy Ward, Tanya Hirsch, Terri VanderWoude, Terrie Arnold, Thad Byer, Thomas Sturza,
Thomas Ferreira, Tom Jubb, Toni Royer, Tracey Ziolkowski, Trisha Phillips, William Schoen, Wendy Hall.
Special thanks to Maria Davis for donating diecasts and hats for the raffles!
Miami Kick It
In mid-May, a white box from The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation arrived on my doorstep with a red kickball inside. I didn't know it at the time,
but it would lead to one of the most gratifying days of my life. Thanks Jennifer Jones at the JGCF for the logistical help. HUGE THANKS to Ray and Shannah Rodriguez-Torres
for helping me organize the inaugural Miami Kick It event. Thanks to Dr. Gigi and Coach Luis at Highpoint Academy for hosting the event for pediatric cancer
research. Our first date of Sept. 22 was rained out, but we had an incredible turnout with 7 teams on Sept. 29. Thanks to The Chill Stop ices stand, DJ Orestes Espinoza, Diane
Schafer Photography, and everyone who came to the event.
Miami Kick It honored three pediatric cancer warriors -- Colby Berman, Bella Rodriguez-Torres, and Victoria Mejia --
and also honored the everlasting memory of Jackson Panzarello and Madison Star Schafer. And, most importantly,
we raised more than $12,600 for needed research.
Charlotte CureSearch Walk
I participated in the Charlotte CureSearch Walk in November for pediatric cancer research. One of the most emotional moments I had all year
was during the balloon release ceremony. I released a white balloon in Jackson's memory. It was great to walk with Kelly and Melissa (thanks for making the long drive!) at the event.
Thanks to the following for donations: Angela Rightmire, Angus Bedard, Helen Thompson, Jason Anhock, Judy Duckworth, Kathleen Mondino, Maria Davis, Mike Blanx, Michelle Messina,
Nena Asbury, Patty Ham, Regina Shepherd, Sandra Medura, Sharon Stacy, Sue Curtice, Trish Phillips, and Benji.
To Those I've Loved Along The Way...:
Marcy- Thanks for everything through all the years. Your friendship is a blessing.
Lisa, Mark, Willis Panzarello- Your grace and strength this year has inspired me beyond what I thought my limits were. Thank you for sharing
Jackson's story. For him, I will always Fight On.
Jackson- I carry you in my heart. Your memory comes over me like the dark.
Aaron- "The closer we sat to the back the smarter we got"
Alyssa- Home again.
Benji- I'll be on your side forevermore. LGR!
One of the major lessons I've continued to learn is never taking your health for granted. There were a lot
of days and nights that I spent organizing and planning fundraising efforts where I put that on the back burner.
For now, I simply need a break to "get lost and get right with my soul."
Thank you again for everything over the years. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year. God bless you and your families. Fight On, always.
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