This year, on Thursday, December 23, Gabby and Rocco picked out $1,000.00 worth of toys, including card games, board games, art supplies, learning games, Legos, dolls, musical instruments, infant toys, etc. We then personally delivered the toy donation to Seattle Children's Hospital. This was the first official event and donation by MATTEO's DREAM FUND. This toy drive was made possible because of the many generous and thoughtful donations to the MATTEO TATE MARTINO MEMORIAL fund which was established almost 18 months ago when our son, Matteo Tate Martino, died unexpectedly in his sleep.This holiday toy donation was our little way of keeping Matteo's spirit alive during the holiday season. It allowed us to do something positive for children who are sick or terminally ill. We hope with all our hearts that these toys brought a smile to the faces of so many children, and perhaps for a moment they could forget about being in a hospital during the holidays. We also hope it took some pressure off of their parents, as I can only imagine some of the enormous medical expenses they may be faced with this holiday season.
I can honestly tell you that delivering those toys to the hospital was one of the best days of my life. While I was near tears most of the day, delivering those toys felt SO GOOD. It was a complete honor, and I only wish we could have delivered more. I was also so proud of our kids. While shopping, they did not throw one tantrum about not getting to have the toys they were picking out. Rather, they kept asking "Do you think the kids in the hospital will want this?" or "I think they would like this!". And, a lot of "We're doing this for Matteo, right mommy?" Right. Exactly.
And, as we drove home that afternoon... Gabby said "Mommy? Is this what Christmas is all about? Giving to other people? Because I had fun today...and I bet those little kids at the hospital will
We are so incredibly thankful for all of you who have supported us over the past 17+ months, and also for those of you who have contributed to the MATTEO TATE MARTINO MEMORIAL fund before you even knew how the funds would be used. We feel so blessed to know such kind, thoughtful, supportive and generous people. And, we hope you felt just as good about this donation as we did!!
MATTEO's DREAM FUND currently receives all of it's funds through the MATTEO TATE MARTINO MEMORIAL fund. It is our hope in 2011 to organize and hold several fundraisers. We're also hoping to get those of you who run races or participate in triathlons throughout the year, to do it in Matteo's memory and help us raise funds for this great organization! We had hoped to start these efforts in early 2010... but with the arrival of a new baby, an out-of-state move, and continuously trying to navigate through our daily life without Matteo... well, we just ran out of time in 2010.
It is a huge goal of ours to one day become an official 501(c)(3) non-profit., so that your donations can also be a tax write off. Becoming an official 501(c)(3) can cost upwards of $2,500, and it requires extensive work with an attorney and completion of a lot of paperwork - so this will take some time. Until then, please know that any donations will be distributed in full, as described below. Unlike most official non-profit organizations, we are a non-profit organization with absolutely NO OVERHEAD COSTS. Every cent you donate will ultimately benefit a sick or terminally ill child. Your money will not go to an admin, or be used to pay an electric, internet or transportation bill.
Next year, we're hoping to donate even more toys!!
Our goal for next year is to coordinate toy drives to take place in three different locations... the Bay Area, Minneapolis, and Seattle. It will be a challenge, it will be awesome, it will put smiles on the faces of SO MANY sick children... and we'll need your help!!
To learn more about MATTEO's DREAM FUND, please visit our Facebook page, MATTEO'S DREAM FUND and "like" us so you can keep up with all of our announcements and future events! Hopefully, we'll get a MDF web page up in 2011 as well.
To contribute:
1. Please write your check to: MATTEO TATE MARTINO MEMORIAL
2. Mail to:
ELECTRIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
PO BOX 6479
SAN JOSE, CA 95150-6479
If you would like to contribute money in Matteo's memory, but you would like your donation to be eligible for 2010 tax benefits, then you can make your donation to the Matteo Tate Martino Memorial via "Presents for Packard". Please know any contributions to this fund will benefit children receiving care at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, CA.
Remember, even $5 can make a HUGE difference!! This is a wonderful way to "do good" and feel good about your donation this holiday season.
More about MATTEO's DREAM FUND:
Matteo’s Dream Fund is a non-profit organization, established in 2010, in memory of Matteo Tate Martino, who died in his sleep at 18 months of age. Matteo’s death was an unexpected, heart-breaking and overwhelming loss to his parents, twin brother, big sister, and unborn sister. In managing their grief, Matteo’s parents, Jodi (La Valle) and Dan Martino, decided to establish a fund that would benefit sick and terminally ill children at children’s hospitals throughout the United States. While Matteo’s life was cut tragically short, the hope is that his story will forever impact the lives of others by encouraging people to always remember how precious the gift of life is and how even the smallest gifts or acts of kindness can help a sick child and brighten their day.
Matteo’s Dream Fund will donate items, services and grant money to children’s hospitals and organizations that will provide recreational therapy, educational tools, and emotional support, assistance and services to sick children at children’s hospitals across the United States, as identified by the Board of Directors. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
• Purchase of new and unused books, toys, games, and art supplies for recreational therapy
• Purchase of new and unused educational materials and computers
• Purchase of materials and supplies for outdoor gardens, benches and/or play areas
• Work with local photographers to donate their time and services to capture photos of hospitalized children with their families and/or friends, and gifting them with prints and CD’s with the photos.
• Working with organizations that assist children’s hospitals in the development and construction of recreational therapy rooms (play rooms) within children’s hospitals where kids can play with toys, work on art projects, and socialize with other children in a non-clinical setting.
Matteo’s Dream Fund major fundraisers include, but are not limited to:
• Individual donations
• Individuals who choose to run, walk or bike races in Matteo’s memory, setting their own personal financial fundraising goals with contributions donated to Matteo’s Dream Fund.
• An annual 5K run/walk and Kids Fun Run event, TBD
• An annual golf event, TBD
• Additional fundraisers may also be planned throughout the year
• Donations are always welcome
The charity will solicit contributions and sales of goods and services from the general public, corporations, and other non-profit organizations in addition to sponsoring special fundraising events. Distribution of all funds will be managed by the Board of Directors, in accordance with the initiatives listed above. All donations will be distributed in their entirety.
As in the past... we decided once again to make holiday cookies with the kids.
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