Polar Bears and Curing Children: Thank You To Our Friends

Polar bear photo sent to us by our friend Ellen in Winnipeg

Solana Santa Fe Elementary School, the elementary school near us has "adopted" Steven and has been raising funds to help pay for his upcoming Make-A-Wish trip. We were invited to visit them last month so they could meet Steven.

On Friday, they completed their fundraising efforts and they invited us back to their school

When we got there, some of the kids were holding up numbers and the other students were telling them where to stand in order to display the correct amount of money that had been raised.

The final number was $2195.26. A representative from each grade presented Steven with a book they made with research about polar bears and advice for us on our trip. We haven't had a chance to go through all the books yet.

I tried to thank them but I cried instead. It is so touching to think of these people who don't even know us who are willing to show us such kindness.

Steven and Sean's preschool, who held the Trike-A-Thon to benefit St. Jude last month, sent us a card telling us they raised $1700 for St. Jude, a noteworthy accomplishment for such a small school.

Nicky Mailliard

Steven and I were asked to speak recently at a manager's meeting for Ra Sushi, a restaurant in downtown San Diego. The owner of the restaurant is the uncle of a boy who was a St. Jude patient. Nicky Mailliard was diagnosed with an ependymoma (brain tumor) in early 2002 and passed away this last February 28.

It just so happens that Steven loves sushi, he'll eat almost any kind of raw fish. Ra Sushi is having a fundraiser for St. Jude, they're donating the sales of certain menu items during the week of May 29-June 4 to St. Jude in honor of Nicky.

As for us, we're hoping they invite us back for some sushi ...

- Kathleen