Anyone can help!

As most of you know, in April 2008 Cary and I lost our Twin Boys (Braden and Brody) at 22 weeks due to preterm labor. Recently I have become close friends with Loni Hodge. February 2009, Loni and Justin lost their baby girl (Maddie.) You can see Loni's blog at http://maddoxelisehodge.blogspot.com/ We are able to help each other with our struggles of our loss.

We both want to give back, to hospitals that treat babies, but also to the hospitals that delivered our sweet babies. So we've been contemplating ideas to raise money and we've found a couple of good ones...

Our first idea is to organize a 5k or 8k race to benefit Children's hospital NICU - that's is being planned and we will send out more info on that as it becomes available!! Just be ready for it in the fall (2009)...it should be a great day!!! We will need lots of support so we can make this an annual event in memory of our children. Any BIG sponsors out there???

We're also trying to get a Bunco group together. We’re going to call it “Bunco for Babies.” If you’ve never played, it’s a lot of fun (I promise.) Bunco is a dice game that you play tables of 4. We need at least 12 people for the game, but can always play with more. So, think about it. It’s an easy, fun game and you can come and enjoy food and time with friends and meet new friends as well! The main thing is you will be helping us “heal” and do something for these hospitals that are in need.

The idea for now is, to play – you will bring $10 which ½ will go towards the hospitals and the other ½ will go in a pot for the “winners.” You will also bring a cheap item that Loni and I will take to the NICU at Children’s for the tiny babies which need things that aren’t always provided. The items may include small blankets, socks, diapers and disposable cameras for the parents who may not have thought to bring theirs from home. The cameras are a great idea because some parents (like us) will only be able to take home photos of their children. It’s important to us to give what we can. (Think of it as a tax deduction for next year!)

We were hoping to get at LEAST 12 people to commit to playing with us maybe once a month. The more players the more we will be able to give to the hospitals and families in need so please feel free to pass the invite to ANYONE in the area. We also thought about having a BIG BUNCO BLOWOUT and play with other groups around the area! (If you're already involved with a bunco group think about your group joining us for the big nights if you can!!!)

Let me know if you'd be interested so that way I can get you more information as we plan more. (you may see information emails come from bunco4babies@yahoo.com - that's me and Loni)

Thanks for being there for us! Hope to hear from you soon! Abby