Gratitude: / ˈgræt ɪˌtud / noun – The quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
We all want to be remembered. We want to think we made a difference, had an impact, and left our mark. After my metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis, I thought if I am going to die from this disease, then I want my life to have made a difference. Basically, I don’t want to be just one more person claimed by MBC. I want to fight, raise awareness, raise funds, and have a part in finding a cure. So what started as a seed of an idea to make an impact became so much more than I imagined.
Puzzling with purpose
That tiny seed—a simple idea for a social speed puzzling derby—was transformed into a magnificent bloom of a huge event. The seed was planted, then watered, and then nurtured by so many that all it could do was grow bigger and better. And that it did.
Puzzles, Pedals & Pies, our social speed puzzling fundraising event benefitting metastatic breast cancer research, was held on May 11th at America’s Transportation Experience/AACA Museum, Inc. in Hershey, PA. It was a tremendous success!
We had a sell-out crowd of over 200 puzzle enthusiasts representing seven states: Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania. And over $13,000 was raised for metastatic breast cancer research. Combined with our previous donations, we are over halfway to reaching our $50,000 goal.
Appreciating Time & Talents
There are so, so many people to thank for sharing the vision and making it happen.
- the Puzzles, Pedals & Pies team for their hours of planning and weekly early Friday morning Zoom calls
- the AACA Museum, Inc. staff, and C&J Catering staff for providing the location and logistics
- the online and digital specialists for Facebook and Instagram posts, the website, email marketing, digital advertising, and video production
- the creatives for preparing the logo, signs, T-shirts, candy labels, wine bags, displays, and decor
- the many event volunteers, speaker Jenni Eyler, and musician Danny Spec
- the pizza vendor and the popcorn maker
- the dessert crew led by Kathy Shaffer…WOW!! the desserts were fantastic
- the generous event sponsors and the donors who provided prizes for the puzzle competition, raffle, and wine pull
- PA Senator Kim Ward for her welcome message and assistance in securing a $50,000 grant for MBC research that will boost our fundraising goal to $100,000
- … and, of course, the participants who came to puzzle while also supporting our cause
Each of you watered the seed and made it grow. Not only did it grow, but it flourished beyond expectations. When you look back on this event, I hope it makes you smile. Smile, and know that you played a valuable role in the success of Puzzles, Pedals & Pies. You made a difference, had an impact, and left your mark.
Thank you, thank you. Saying “thank you” just doesn’t seem like enough. So know that my heart is full. I’m blessed, I’m thankful, I’m grateful.
— Brandi
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