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In September of last year we revamped our Board of Directors here in the Newport News region of the Virginia ADA. We set goals for ourselves as a board and as a staple in our area. We decided to put together benefits for good causes in our area.
In November of 2011 we collected 2000 food items and $1,750 for the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank thanks to the efforts spearheaded by Tony Smeland and Stacy Roush. In December, myself, Bill Cross, Gary Wallace and Cindy Moran raised $511 and 83 coats for Coats for Kids that were distributed by the YWCA in Hampton, Virginia. We decided at that point that we would have at least 2 more benefit tournaments in 2012 to help out other causes. On Saturday, April 21st we held the first of the two tournaments as a benefit to take toys to the Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk Virginia. Not only was the tournament a success, but we hand delivered over $650 dollars worth of toys to the hospital so the children could have some enjoyment during their stay at the hospital. Although they would not let us meet any of the children at the hospital, we did meet a special young lady who became part of team ADA.
Joanna Sibert is a 9 year old girl from Hampton, Virginia. JoJo was born with Spina Bifida. In addition to Spina Bifida JoJo also has Rhabdomyosarcoma Cancer, Hydrocephalus, VP Shunt, Osteopenia, Chiari Malformation of the brain, Bicuspid Aortic Heart Valve, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Vesticostomy, and Cycostomy among other issues. JoJo was not dealt a very good hand in life but take it from me if you meet her and see how beautiful her little smile is you know this little girl is a winner and isn't going anywhere! Like her mother, she is a fighter who refuses to give up and instead of feeling bad for herself she reaches out to other children who have health problems in our area. Another ADA member, Kristyn Dalton, and I had the pleasure of meeting JoJo at her home in Hampton. We also, with the assistance of Karl Remick, were able to present JoJo with an honorary ADA Membership. Karl also sent me an ADA member of the week t-shirt for JoJo; but in my mind she gets the player of the decade award.
For those of you who would like to know more about JoJo and her heroic battles, feel free to look her up on Facebook under JoJos Journey. For anyone who would like to aid in our September benefit tournament, feel free to contact me via facebook. Every little bit helps. Our September tournament is to benefit St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital.
I would also like to take an opportunity to thank my fellow board members because without them these efforts wouldn’t be possible:
Rob Coleman
Cindy Moran
Gary Wallace
Tony Smeland
Justin Mandell
Kristyn Dalton
Bill Cross, Jr.
I look forward to a great year at Nationals and many great years to come here in the ADA. " 2 UP.........2 DOWN"!!!
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