February 1, 2010 12:01 AM
Maddy Sings for Haiti - thank you for your contributions!
Okay, I will admit I am one proud mama. Seeing your daughter's audition for American Idol and a bit of her back story on national TV is one thing, but to see what Maddy did tonight is so much more.
Maddy Sings for Haiti at Franklin Park was canceled yesterday due to snow that refused to stop in spite of our prayers. And yet - miracle of miracles! - we were able not only to secure Franklin Park for two performances tonight, but to assemble all the key people - accompanist Cuong Van, WorldVision representative Carolyn Kruger and host Tom Sweitzer. Not to mention the fabulous Pam Schoppert who made the mistake last week of emailing me to ask if she could help in any way and ended up in charge of concessions :) Pam assembled a bounty of goodies - all donated, presumably as no one can resist her winning smile.
Both houses were full. And with only eight days to prepare (during exam week, no less), Maddy gave 2 great performances, raising over 8000. for World Vision with less than 300. overhead. Plus both audiences heard from a World Vision representative who was in Haiti when the earthquake occurred and was able to share a first hand account.
There is a video in production - I will let you know when it is available.
Thanks to Jeff Stern, director of Franklin Park, without whom this event could never have happened. And many thanks to my best friend Ann Stewart, who can now add the title "producer" to her impressive resume as author/singer/speaker/splendid mother. She worked tirelessly to coordinate this effort and we rejoiced together as each piece fell into place.
One example: while Maddy and I wanted to select WorldVision as the designated charity,the drawback was that their headquarters is in Washington state. When I casually mentioned this dilemma to Meredith McMath, she said, "I know someone local who works for World Vision" then 30 minutes later was calling excitedly to tell me that Carolyn had just gotten off a plane from Haiti.
One thing Maddy and I have been seeing through the process that began the moment she walked home from the bus last June to say she wanted to audition for American Idol is God's hand in EVERYTHING that has happened - some things that will be revealed as time unfolds.
Be patient, because there are stories to come.
So many wonderful people came tonight. I know there were some I never got to say hello to because I tend to get caught up in conversations, only to turn around and say What happened to everyone?
Thank you to everyone who came and donated to World Vision.
The next step is for everyone to ask themselves what they can do to help the people of Haiti. If nothing comes to mind, pray and ask God to show you.
As Mother Teresa said:
One can do no great things, only small things with great love.
Comments
I worked for World Vision for seven years in Washington state. It truly is a wonderful, Christian organization that does beautiful work. I wanted to let you know - much of the "programs" staff are based out of an office in DC. So, you actually have a lot of REALLY knowledgeable World Vision representatives in your midst.
Posted by: Kellie OBrien | February 1, 2010 5:39 PM
