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THANK YOU! So very sorry these are taking so long. Our lives have been so crazy. We don't want, for one minute, for anyone to think their contributions aren't appreciated. Jim and I are so grateful for each and every one. Everyone has done so much to help. So many thoughtful friends. Melanie is truly blessed, and so are we. ..Please bear with us, I am posting as many as I can at once. They may seem scattered. Many are from the benefit, others from different things people have done for us. If we missed you this time, please understand, we are overwhelmed with so many onderful friends. We will be posting more very soon. Still getting lists of names. We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is thanked, because we are so appreciative. Once you scan down you will see why we have a hard time keeping track. We just cannot believe the number of people that have helped us. No matter how big or how small..its all HUGE to us. More thank yous to all of our friends. We continue to be so overwhelmed by all the support we are getting from everyone. Please remember, no matter how big, or how small, its all huge to us. Our hearts have been touched by all. We tell Melanie about everything ! She always smiles. We truly believe she feels the embrace of all of those who have touched her life. To: Jerry Brown- our favorite New Yorker. He is Melanie's Uncle Bill's brother. He picks us up and drives us from the airport to the Ronald Mcdonald House (where we stay when we are in New York) and then brings us back to the airport. He is always on call for us. He always greets us with a big hug and a smile and sends us off the same way. We hope he knows how grateful we are for his huge kind heart !! St. Rose of Lima School - to Sister Catherine, the staff, teachers, students and their families for donating the proceeds of their dress down day to The Melanie Burke Hope Fund. They raised $1053.00 for Melanie !! Thank you St. Rose !! And especially to the students- keep the messages coming !! Sharon Burke (Melanie's aunt) - for organizing the dress down day and for helping collect donations ! And for always being there for Melanie ! St. Rose Basketball programs and Chuck Haven - for raising money at the home games to donate to The Melanie Burke Hope Fund ! Thank you so much ! Bishop Grimes School - We are truly amazed at the support we have received from the staff, and students at Bishop Grimes School ! * Sister James Therese for the flowers and on going support * Mr. Winters- for everything he does !! We know he has Melanie's website up in his classroom and promotes it to his students all the time. He also sends her frequent messages, and they mean a lot to her (especially since he told us at meet the teacher night, he was not an email guy !!) and of course thank you to "the funky bunch" keep the messages coming !! * Mr. Woodward- for the dvd he sent to Melanie. She loves it and it helps her when she is missing school * Nick Burke (Melanie's cousin) and the entire freshman class- for the cards they made for Melanie. * Melanie's homeroom class- for the cards ( she loved the package of hot cocoa !) * And all of the students who are constantly sending messages. Thank you so much. Keep sending them !!
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Very Generous Donations: words cannot express... thank you to these selfless, kind people !! Syracuse Merit - for continuing to raise money for Melanie ! And for being so understanding with Jim during this difficult time. Mrs. T, Mrs. Brown and Little Lamb Kindergarten- for being so wonderful to Olivia !! Rob Franko- for sending out countless emails and organizing donations. Thanks Rob! The people who are continuing to organize Melanie's benefit- Lorri Lansing, Lisa Kelly, Jen Kline who are spearheading this event. And to all who come to the meetings and are doing what they can to help with this...Lisa Gugliotto (for all of her legwork) Deb Tallie, Mike Leone, Brian Oddo, Tina & Jerry Galluzzo, Angel Mauro, Shelly Jones, Judy ( of the West Taft Deli 453-2422) and to everyone who is helping out (much more on this later !! so many people to thank !!)
To all of her friends and family who keep sending her messages. Please know you can never send too many. She loves hearing from everyone. Especially those who just tell funny stories about their day. We are amazed at the people who send her things. New friends, old friends, friends of friends, strangers, family. She loves them all !! Keep them coming. The Bishop Grimes Basketball Community - Jamie Evans, Coach Mark Kalemba and especially Coach Cifonelli- for all they are doing for Melanie. Coach Cif sends Melanie messages all the time and all the coaches are very active in trying to do what they can for Melanie. This means a lot to her because this is her passion. It makes her feel good that everyone is standing behind her, helping her during her time of need. Sweet Gifts from friends and family : Caitlyn Buckman, Briana Macaluso, Kellie Corallo, Denise & Lindsay Wallace, Steve & Mary Ficarra, Daniel & Erica Zimmerman, Chuck and Maryann Zimmerman,.. thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness ! Stephanie Samphere- for always calling, for taking donations, for always doing !! |
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First and foremost, we need to thank our families and loved ones , who have been so supportive. Not only for donations, more importantly,..Just for always being there..for always doing..for always listening..for helping us through this.. Chris Zimmerman..Angie Burke..Bill & Mary Sue Brown..Lorri Lansing..Steve & Connie Burke..Ken Terpening & Tiffany Dimatteo..Jay & Kim Burke..Rich & Sherry Howell..Rick Deland & Lisa Connelly..Tim Burke..Kevin & Anne Deland..Bill & Sharon Burke..Donnie Spraker & Lisa Gugliotto..Bob & Betsy Burke..Darthy Howell..Tony & Lisa Burke.. And to family, and loved ones.. Krista Cerrillo , Cory & Nick Burke, Morgan & Marissa Deland, Daniel & Erica Zimmerman, Sara, Meghan & Patrick Brown, Jenny & Erin Burke, Josh Terpening & Jordan Emley, Lauren & Emily Burke, Amelia Heiselman, Briana Macaluso, Kellie Corallo, and so so many others..Ashely B., Bella, Olivia, Claire, Lizzie, Caitlyn,Jessica, Erannan,Nikki,Alex B,.....any many many more.. who call her, text her, visit her, send her funny letters in the mail, pick up her school work, make her smile !! Dr. Trippett- Melanie's doctor. She is so wonderful. So knowledgeable. There are no words for the woman who gave us hope. She is everything to our family. We are so thankful and grateful for her. Dr. Kaplan,Lauren, Jen & Carleen- for making it all as easy as it can be. These ladies are so good at what they do. Its so obvious they truly care. Dr. Dracker - thank you for taking extra special care of Melanie. Dr.Dracker is always so helpful. When she needed a transfusion in Syracuse, he showed up at the hospital to make sure everything was going well and to push things along so we could get out of there !! Sending over Christmas breakfast, movie night, the phone calls to check in...he is Melanie's guardian angel. Sue Mahar- Melanie's nurse practitioner- we hold a special place in our hearts for Sue. We know she has Melanie and Olivia in hers. Nora- for making Melanie almost look forward to getting her blood drawn..almost !! Thanks for the smiles. Lorri Lansing and Lisa Kelly Smith - for organizing the benefit. You girls did an amazing job. We will never be able to thank you enough. All of the phone calls, the hard work, ...not only that, for always listening. I love you both so much. There are no words....I just can't find them. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. Thank you. Eric Frantz - an unbelievable donation from a very good friend. We miss you Eric and are so touched by your generosity. Gayle Trageser - Thank you so much Gayle. Your support has been such a blessing. We are so thankful, and so blessed to have you in our lives again. Also to her daughter Abigail, who came and danced at Melanie's benefit. Unfortunately, we missed her, but heard her and her friends were WONDERFUL!! Chuck & Maryann Zimmerman - for their donation and all their loving support! Jerry Brown - we can't thank Jerry enough. He has such an enormous heart. Melanie really looks forward to her chariot !! Also to the Baldwin Fire Department for the donation of toys to a Ronald McDonald House in Melanie's name ! IBEW local 43 - thank you for such a great donation. This will help us so much !! Dick Lisenko & Dawn Evans -(Thunderbird Bowling Alley) For the gift certificates, donation and for being great friends Paul Seymour (Colony Liquor) - the gift baskets ..thank you Paul and Katie !! Kelly Coles Improper - for the donation of the gift cards ! Super Cuts- another donation of gift cards..thank you ! Freddy & Lisa Mento (Mento Produce) for the donation, salads and fruit baskets..thank you so much ! Sysco - for the yummy desserts and paper products Gino and Joes Pizza of Baldwinsville - thank you so much for the pizza and calzones Andy !! The Retreat - The Gormel family for the donation..thank you so much !! The Retreat - my coworkers, and my customers..my friends. They never stop. I get phone calls, emails, texts. The support has been so amazing and deeply appreciated !! Thank you so much !! Kevin Stott and John Durkin of East2West Builders- not only for their generous contribution, the thoughtful gift of the pink IPOD, but Kevin...your words touched our hearts and our lives more than you will ever know. They help us get through some very tough days. Thank you so much. Brian Oddo - thank you so much for D.J.ing the benefit !! You are so good at what you do and we are so thankful you could do it. I did not want anyone else doing it and you never missed a beat. You are a great man and a good friend. Hafners Restaurant - to Summer, Missy and everyone at Hafners..thank you for selling tickets, collecting donations, ..thank you so mcuh ! Wits End - for the great music at the benefit !! You guys are awesome. Everyone really enjoyed your music ! |
Rob Franco - Lets Play - Rob...for the donation of the awesome playset, but also the emails, the phone calls...Thank you for your time and energy. Tim Burke, The Madlin family, Tracy Conners, Barb Dennehy,Hayes girls, my family, The Delands, The Sprakers, Ken Terpening and anyone else I missed..- for coming in early and helping w/ set up !! Coaches Dave Miller and Jeff Buckman and the CYO team - the autographed framed jersey was so thoughtful. Melanie had just made the CYO team when she was diagnosed. She loves this gift. Thank you. Jen and Joe Caples- such thoughtful gifts. You have no idea. Syracuse Merit Electric - again for supporting Jim during this time. Another place that is always giving and so understanding !! Scott Harmer - for being such a good friend to Jim, and for always collecting donations for Melanie. Thank you Scott !! Corky of Syracuse Merit - another kind soul who collects donations for Melanie. Bill's Carpet- another anonymous donor- for the carpet for Melanie's room at her dad's house. Thank you so much. Kate Szlosek Siracusa- for being such a good friend always. and always. and always...not only for thinking of Melanie, but also thinking of her mom, and as always for making me laugh! Kristen LiButti, Tom Roach, Connor & Seanie LiButti and Grandma Ellie - for making the trip to see Mellie. She was so happy to see you. So were we. We love you guys !! Lynn Yonnick, Mary Allen and friends at Paychex - thank you so much for your contribution !! ..and your friendship !! Jeff Sohl - for the S.U. tickets and for always calling Zim to see what can be done..thank you Jeff !! Kris Parry - for words that touched my heart Ken Terpening (my brother), Tiffany & Jim Dimatteo & John Hogan for helping us move !! The Burke family - for all the organizing of the upcoming benefit. Lots of hard work !! Bishop Grimes School - they did a Melanie tree w/ 550 bows. they also did a dress down day and collected another $1684. They are constantly sending Melanie cards, gifts, .. this school has been such a tremendous source of support. We cannot thank them enough. Sister James Therese always greets us w/ the biggest hugs and is so very very nice. We are so glad Melanie and our family are a part of this amazing community.Also, to Mr. Winters who always keeps in touch with Melanie and is so helpful. Mr. Woodward for the thoughtful dvd's of the students, and to Ms. Foster who sends cards from the kids faithfully. We are so glad to be a part of this school !! Bishop Grimes Basketball Community - where Melanie's heart is. Coach Cif- how do we ever thank you? the penny a point program, the constant emails, the fundraising, the tshirts... It just doesn't stop !! Along w/ Coach Hemsley, and Coach Mark..thank you so much !! St. Rose of Lima School (Sister Catherine & Coach Haven) for the donation of the dress down day and for agreeing to have the next benefit at the school. Nick Serafino of Lake Shore Yacht and Country Club - for the donation of golf clubs, bag and balls, thank you! John Levanti of Bally's Fitness- for the donation of two 6 month memberships. Thank you John. David Pida - For the donation of floor seating at an S.U. game. Thanks Pida !! Kip White - for the donation of the Yankee tickets. Thank you Kip ! Mario Romano - for the donation of the portrait. Mario you are so talented and your heart is amazing. Jim, Jeanne Anne, John, Alex & Mary Katie Bonanni - for your donation, but more importantly for your support. This family is always sending Melanie messages. Especially Alex. She calls Melanie her hero. She even recently cut her hair for Melanie. She also bought Melanie some really thoughtful gifts. Thank you for your support. It means everything to our family. Roger Salle - for the donation of soda and cups for the benefit. Thank you Roger ! The O'Connell Electric Company family - Vic, Tom, Jeff, Joe and Sue- thank you so much for your contribution and your ongoing support of Melanie !! Amelia Heiselman and family - Amelia is such a great friend to Melanie, and Kellie is always calling, not to mention the Plainville turkey soup runs !! Briana Macaluso and family - another great friend. And thank you to her family ..Robin, Kevin, Greg and Carol..for their donations !! Maybe it was a donation, or a special gift, or a heartfelt card..or so many prayers..More contributions..thank you so much...thank you so very much....We just cannot tell everyone enough how much this means to our family. For helping Melanie.... |
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Angel Mauro, Marty Carter, and Deb Tallie- who came to the benefit meetings, and sat at that front table all day long greeting everyone at the benefit. Such good friends. Jack Davis and T.J. Sheehan - for the donation of beer for the benefit, which we think everyone enjoyed !! Thank you Jack !! Dave Devito and Dave Kohman (A.H. :-)) These two guys are incredible friends. For not only the donation of food, meat trays, ziti, meat balls, desserts and cheese trays, they also came in to the Retreat and along with Lisa Kelly Smith, prepared it all. Thank you thank you thank you !! Judy Padyano of the West Taft Deli who also prepared food, set it up and then stayed to serve !! She went above and beyond. Thank you Judy !! Kerri Rose - for her energy !! helping all day w/ the raffles at the benefit, and for always being so supportive. Mike Leone- you are amazing. Mike jumped all over this. He came to the meetings, helped with all the arrangements.At the end of the benefit, I saw him cleaning off tables. He and Meredith Andrews also emailed Liverpool High School class of '84 to bring in donations. Thank you so much !! The Hayes sisters- Kelly, Kimmy and Karen Hayes Buffum- coming to the meetings, doing the raffles, clean up, thank you so much. And to Steve Buffum for doing the bracelets. We knew you had a girlie side Steve !! Jim would've liked to have seen that !! Tina and Jerry Galluzzo - for helping out w/ the benefit, putting baskets together, and playing in the band. w/ a special appearance by Nicholas !! Little Lamb Kindergarten - Mrs. T, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Fitz for all the love, hugs and kisses for Olivia every day. She couldn't be in a better place. Mrs. T - God put us together again for a reason. Thank you so much. Also to the anonymous donor at North Syracuse Baptist Church- for Olivia's tuition. Such a selfless act. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Stephanie Sampere - You rock Stephanie (thats from Melanie!) Stephanie is not only the best hair stylist ever!, she is a better friend. She goes wig shopping w/ Melanie, she spends hours collecting donations on her behalf (even if this means walking all over downtown ), she calls (stalks haha) us all the time because she is so concerned, she has even been known to deliver Chris coffee ! We just love her. She really knows how to make all of us smile. Her daughter Tiffany was a great help at the benefit also, and her sister Sandy. Thank you so much for making our days brighter. P.S. She works at Samson & Co.!! |
Mark,Laurie, Julia & Logan Polsinello, Kenny & Shauna Harring, Dan Boland & family..Jeff & Sonya Haumann..John & Amy Hogan..Steve & Mary Ficarra..Marianne & Joe Granteed..Joe & Sheila Zimmerman.., Rob Burns (Designcrete of America)..Lorrie O'Brien, Lucette Karboski, Carol Ackley, Maryann Feidler, Joe & Carmella Duh..Sharon & Steve Briem..all our friends at Cathedral Candle Co...Pete & Jodi Lembo and family..The Bishop family..C. Haller Co...Rothschilds Mgt..Dory Fields..Gloria Theis..Jack,Jane and Jackie Salsbury..Miss Karen Silvestri...Amy Fortin and Encore Day Salon..Helen Byrnes..Homeroom 213..Ann Cifaratta..Dave Ingalls..Jeff Getman..Friends at Madison Irving medical suite 108..K R Electric..Gary & Pam Worthington..Betty & Dave Eagle..Aunt Mary and Uncle Connie..Aunt Dar..Joe & Berdie Henderson..Lois & Herb Isaacs..Pat,Renee,Sam,and Sophia Frontale..Mike Allen and NTC UAW Chrylser..Amy Pendergast..Frank Miller..Robert & Kathleen Cuddahee..John & Mary Trait..Meredith Andrews..Felix & Josephine Demott..Joe & Robin Sullivan..Lena & George Gelsomin..Roxanne Tonetti....Freddy & Lisa Mento of Mento Produce..Summer Rupert & Jody Wozniczka..and Jody's mom too !! Richard & Helen Cornell..Nancy & Todd O'Hara..Nick & Anne Bernardini..Gary & MaryPat Mullen..Laura Powers..Jimmy Walker..Joe & Patricia Matthews..Mark & Maureen Davison..Jane Barber..V.James Magnarelli..Tommy & Shelly Clarke..Sally & Ronald Meyers..Mark Weatherup of MPW Contracting..Dianne Collmer..Mark Smith..Amy Supparitis..Tim & Traci Hourigan..Lorraine O'Brien..Jacylin & Steven Grosso..Ron Ross of Twin Trees..Terry Sprague..Samson & Company..Mike & Terri Bilello..Peter Scullion..Jeff & Sonya Haumann..Maria & John Martin..Kathleen Bodek..Mary McAndrew..Jeff & Heidi Buckman..Dave & Jeannanne Miller..Kelly Conroy..Steve & Paula Lyon..Cynthia Frachetti..Frederick Chilluffo..Edith Verone..Tim O'Connor..Ally Head..Elyse & Kevin Conway..Rich McClain..George & Susan Lowe..Joe & Bertha Henderson..William & Dawne Coleman..Jessica McArthur..Denise Wallace..Theresa Cangemi..Jerry VanSlyke..Michele & Daniel Parzych..Frank Mento..David & Karen Boland..David & Jean Bonin..Beth Colbert..Paul Hemsley..Leonard Montague..Donna & Eric Pahn..NIKOS - G.C..Billy Occasio..Goldwell of N.Y.. Ester @ Samson & Co.. The Copy Centers..Cummins Northeast Inc..Patsy Kearney..Leslie Wood Cortese..Lisa Billington..Erica Bernhardt..Edward Kowalewski..Jeanne Spear..Judith Moorhead..Gene & Bonnie Kershner..Fred Maggio..Mike Allen..Fluid Power Sales Inc...Steven Schroth..Dr. Joseph Finelli Jr...Mike & Toni Marsallo..Lynn Perry..James Luckett..C.L. Lusnar..William & Melissa Kestler..Leonard & Mary Alice Swanson..St. Rose Of Lima School..Mike Corp..Diana Kovacs..Paul Fallon..Karen & Allen Haynes..Phama & Richard Shopland..Stephen & Elizabeth Ramsey..Jay & Rose Clarke..Navelli Cadillac..David Samora..Todd & Karen Anthony..Scott & Martha Cacciola..Frederick Brown Jr...Richard & Rita Macdonald..Peerles Staff Club..Dawn Lynch..Joseph & Rose Pavone..Craig Beebe..James Ferretti..Linda Strowbridge..Josephine Rabideau..Antoinette & Nicholas Longo..Kristine & Jim Firenze..Barbara Pfefferle..M & J Underwood..Erin Davies..Wayne & Judith Lucht..Paul & Sally Sudol..Rose Tivnan..Roy Jacobi Jr..Richard & Donna Parks..Andrew & Shari Doherty..Linda Hafner..Mary & Charles Braun..Samantha & Robert Punch..Jason Sheridan..Angel Mauro..Brian Mead..Patrick Frontale and family..Firley, Moran Freer & Eassa,P.C...Liz Ball & Team Avalon.. Mimi Benbenek & family.. Mark Guringo & famil.. Southern Container Corp..Shannon & Mark Townsend.. Bridget & Dave Antzak..Kevin Smith..Chris & Lindsay Raush..Valerie's Monday night football friends.. MaryAnn (LIverpool bus driver),..Karl & Shirley Schulze..Lisa Airel..Jennifer Carvel..Mark Yonnick..George Yelsomin & family..Abbot Edmund..Laura Powers.. Frank Lefevre..Stephanie,Greg,Madeline & Abby Woods..Sara Woods.. Patricia Campbell..Dominick Ranieri..Sheila Whelan Duffy..Jim Ippoliti.. Lynn Clark..Annemarie Mosley..Dave Venesky..John Winters..Susan Rock Tully.. Susan Cole..Heidi Gaulke..Thomas Ericson..Edith Verone..Mike Sweeny..Laurie & Paul Dawley.. Donna Maxwell..Shelly Tafel.. Michele Dwyer.. Constance Ferris..Valuemailers..Sandra Walsh.. Dianne Collmer.. Tatia Campbell.. Christine Belna.. Mary Ellen Sharpe.. John Vargo..Barb Dennehy.. Maureen & Tony Corallo.. Sharon Hollister.. Sarah Davis.. Wendy Simpson.. Lucinda Speach..David Dillon.. Cynthia Hughes.. Mary Walsh Davis..Elizabeth Zona.. Patty Hines..Robert & Maria George & family..David Close..Joanne Leach..Michael Bishop.. William Casper.. Andy & Jovanna Collins.. The Kocan family.. Robert Bielecki.. Ellen Carroll.. Jerry O'Neil..David Dillon..Wendy Worthen..Michelle Foti and family..(the bear is with us !!) Marion Vallee Robin, Molly and Kaylee Sullivan - for the beautiful blanket for Mellie !! She loves this blanket, its her favorite and keeps her so warm ! |
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