I make no apologies, this post is a shamelessly blatant plug for one of my favourite charities.
Courtesy of the Chris Knox Foundation, Tom has been able to enjoy several special treats this past year... treats that have been real bright spots to him and to us as a family. There have been tickets to Keith Urban, Howie Mandel, the Plaza of Honor Dinner, a Rider game and most recently, the Black Eyed Peas concert.
Chris' parents, family and friends started this foundation to "help children and young adults (up to the age of 30), who are either battling cancer, are in remission, or are receiving palliative care to attend sporting, fine arts, and cultural events, giving them a much-deserved reprieve and creating some happy memories with their families and loved ones."
At this coming Labour Day game, the foundation will be selling souvenir pennants on the practice field before the game. Mike and I have volunteered to help out, because we would love to be able to give back in some small way to this terrific organization.
The pennants will feature #45, linebacker Mike McCullough. You may have read about this promotional event in a recent Leader-Post article.
The idea for the foundation had its beginnings at the 2007 edition of the Labour Day Classic. Chris' family were given tickets to the game, and the players helped to make the day very special for him. Mike McCullough was instrumental in making that happen, taking Chris into the locker room and giving him the game ball. Chris' body succumbed to cancer on December 7, 2007, but his spirit lives on.
McCullough noted his association with the Chris Knox Foundation also is a tribute to McCullough's son Cole, who passed away in February 2009 at the age of three.
"I do everything for selfish reasons because of Cole," Mike said. "Anytime I can help out anybody, I try to do it. He made me not only a better father but a better person. One of the things I took from him is trying to help out those who don't necessarily need it but maybe can use the hand when they least expect it."
It was Mike McCullough who took Tom's jersey into the locker room and collected autographs for him. We have not yet had the opportunity to meet him in person, because Tom's counts were actually too low to go to the Rider game where that was to happen. However, it is safe to say that we have a huge amount of respect and appreciation for him as a player, and for the work that the Chris Knox Foundation does.
He's such a modest guy that he was surprised to be featured on a pennant:
"I'm kind of surprised, frankly," McCullough said with a laugh Wednesday when asked about his appearance on the banners. "Hopefully they'll sell more than three or four of them.
"I was thinking if they went with a bigger name, they'd sell them all. Hopefully people will pity-buy them for us."
I don't think it will be a pity-buy. I think everyone can appreciate the values and work ethic of Mike McCullough, both on and off the field.
Even if you aren't able to get tickets to to the game, I encourage you to come on down to the festivities prior to the game. Please help us honour Cole and Chris' memories, and someone who's a real stand up guy.
And oh yeah - there's a game on Sunday too. May the football gods smile upon us.
Thank you all for checking in - we're grateful to have so many family and friends still keeping an eye on us.
Sincerely,
Thomas' Mom
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