For the Away With Words Foundation, Inc., 2008
was a year of firsts and expanding horizons on personal and organizational
levels.
The Rainbow
of Ribbons 5K Race and Fun Run for a Cancer Cure and
"Santa
Stop" will now be annual events.
Thanks to generous donors, the first benefit
garage sales were held, with more planned for 2009. The
garage sales will continue to feature special events in addition
to the fine merchandise available from kind supporters.
The trip to Victory
Junction Gang Camp was an unparalleled experience that
gave as much as was given.
Introduced at the end of 2007, the cancer
survivor comic book hero LIVE
MAXX™ made his first public appearance in 2008
to the delight of the children who visited with him. Life Maxx first
appeared at a benefit Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, which was a
new type of fundraiser for the Foundation. The Away With Words Foundation
started in 2008 to work on creating animated segments of Life Maxx
for cancer patients and the public.
Five single track music
CDs were released in 2008 to raise money for the Away With
Words Foundation, Inc. projects that help and support cancer survivors
and those touched by cancer. Another CD was recorded and performed
to honor John York
and Denise DeBartolo-York. More anthology books are in
process and they will be released in early 2009.
Of course throughout the delivery of these
new activities, the Away With Words Foundation continued to provide
its regular activities of a dinner/auction/car show, racetrack appearances,
a Golf Scamble, and numerous concerts by the R.O.C.c.K. Children's
Choir. The Foundation participated in fundraising activities for related
cancer support agencies: Relay for Life, Zoo Walk, and the Victory
Junction Gang Camp.
In her annual Christmas poem sent to friends
and supporters, Brenda Rider expresses the driving hope behind the
efforts of the Away With Words Foundation, Inc.:
"This Christmas
we can reflect on so much
What's wrong with the world we're out of touch.
But take a moment and look in a child's eye
See the future of love without disquise.
It's the season of truth measured by a smile
Captured in a glance lasting quite a while."
At the Away With Words Foundation, Inc. we know
there is hope in all that we do and we wish you well in the NEW 2009
year!