Congratulations on a successful Fundraiser!!

KICKS’ Company participation at their first competition earned a check from ‘The Power of Dance’ for $1,035, plus an extra $500 worth of goods donated from the organization.  We also received many donations from other participating dance studios…such a generous action, proving that the real world of dance competition is nothing like what is featured on TV!!  In addition we have collected many boxes and bags of goodies collected through KICKS, from all of our fabulous dance families!!  Put all this together and we definitely exceeded our expectations.  A big Thank You to all that participated in this effort!!

Learn more about “MADDI’S BAG”

Maddi’s Bag was created by the Raimondo Family….here is the story behind this great program!

MADDI’S BAG is a new program developed by CHOP Trauma Child Life Services.  It is supported solely by Shop 4 CHOP. Shop 4 CHOP is a non profit organization founded last year after our youngest daughter Maddi survived a traumatic accident while on a family vacation in Mexico. Maddi fell from a balcony while posing for family photos. After spending 36 hours in a hospital in Cancun, the power of prayer and perseverance prevailed and a medical transport was coordinated by family and CHOP staff.  Maddi was flown to CHOP’s Trauma ER and, as promised, was met at the door by over 20 doctors and nurses. In a moment Maddi was surrounded by one of the countries best pediatric trauma teams. Words cannot express the depth of relief and comfort we experienced in that moment.

It has been a long road of surgeries, immobility and rehabilitation for Maddi.   In her time of healing she was extremely limited in what she was able to do.  Luckily we are blessed to be a part of a wonderfully supportive family and a strong community who quickly surrounded Maddi with simple arts & crafts, reading and coloring books, paints, new lovey’s to cuddle and puzzles.  All these ‘things’ helped Maddi feel normal, kept her busy during long days and doctor appointments.  Most importantly though, these activities provided a means to re-connect with her sisters and friends. They helped her get comfortable with new therapists and discuss pain with nurses.  We want to forever pay forward the blessings we received in our time of need so we created Shop 4 CHOP with the sole purpose of raising money to provide other young trauma patients with a bountiful supply of activities that will foster greater communication with doctors, nurses and therapists and help re-connect families during recovery from near fatal accidents.

Our first event in November was a one day multi-vendor shopping extravaganza that hosted 17 different sales rep from various companies and close to 200 guests.  We raised $6000! CHOP’s Child Life Services approached us upon hearing Shop 4 CHOP’s intentions- the trauma unit had a welcome bag program with no funding and we had money. In January we agreed to team up and kickoff MADDI’S BAG!

Shop 4 CHOP will focus on charitable events throughout the year to raise funds and gather supplies for MADDI’S BAG. 100% of the money we raise will go directly to the MADDI’S BAG program.  It is our life goal to help comfort children when the unexpected confronts them traumatically.  We believe that where there is hope, there is faith and that where there is faith, miracles happen!

Find them on facebook: www.facebook.com/shop4chop