Spaghetti Dinner for Finley

This post is titled "Spaghetti Dinner for Finley".  I have no idea why I can't see it on my computer, so if I am repeating myself - I apologize.  Blogger ate the titles of my blog post tonight for some reason.

This past Thursday in Connellsville was the Spaghetti dinner for Finley given by the Connellsville high school National Honor Society.  And the delicious meal was prepared by the Career and Technical Center kids - they all did a fantastic job.

 Mat and I and family couldn't be there because it was on a week day (and we live a day's drive away), but my parents and in-laws were there on our behalf.

 My mom took the pictures in this post, and let's just say 1) she takes pictures as fast as she talks and walks and 2) she was so busy talking to everyone that she didn't take many pictures.  But I am glad she got some!

 Almost 500 people attended the spaghetti dinner for our Finley.  We were blown away.  We were expecting around 200, and boy were we off.  But the Career and Technical Center handled it with ease and was able to feed everyone who came through the door.  The line was wrapped around the inside of the building!  They cooked 135 pounds of pasta.  We are so pleased that so many people wanted to come and show their support for our cause.

 We had a great basket raffle full of baskets prepared by family and friends.  They were a big hit!  We sold over 1,000 basket tickets.  And we had a 50/50 and a tip board (for a nice trip to Meadows and River Casinos).  We also sold t-shirts and wrist bands, and were able to hand out information about Finley, LCA, and RDH12.  We are always happy to spread the word about our cause.

 Connellsville is a special place.  If you have never visited, you don't know what you are missing.  You are missing a group of the most charitable, giving, fun loving, happy people I have ever met.  People I we don't know have gone out of their way for our little girl.  People are praying for our family and Finley.  These Connellsville folks have made it possible for our research funding to move forward and a cure closer to a reality.  We would not be where we are without them.

 I can never say the right words or enough thank yous.  There will never be enough gratefulness to express how we feel about this town.  Yes, Mat and I grew up there, and our families still live there.  But the fact is - they saw a need, and they took action.  Mat and I haven't lived there in over 13 years, and it doesn't matter.  They care for us like we have never left.  You are NEVER forgotten in your hometown.

 Thank you goes out to every person who has given, prayed, spoken kind words to us or our extended family, or just put us in your thoughts.  I am sure that is 99% of the population of Connellsville at this point, and we feel the power of your feelings for Finley.

 A new RDH12 family (to us!) had a chance to come to the Spaghetti dinner.  They took the time to drive in a few hours and participate in this event.  Their little girl is 6, and has the exact diagnosis of Finley.  Her mom and grandma had found us through an Internet search, and we are so glad they did!  We are power in numbers!

We hope you continue to take the opportunity to follow our blog, or website (www.finleyfighters.com) and our RDH12 Fund (www.rdh12.org).  And Connellsville - we are not going anywhere!  Stay tuned to more activities coming your way after the holidays and once the weather gets nicer (a sneak peek - a mini golf tournament, a possible Dinner in the Dark, and a Bike Walk Run).  It is going to be another FANTASTIC year!!

 Stay tuned.  And if you haven't visited Connellsville, and soaked in the people, the history, and the bike trail, you have no idea what you are missing.

See you Tuesday.