Candlelighters of Brevard, Inc.

Family Beach Retreat
Date/Time: June 25, 2010 - June 27, 2010, 9:00 am-10:00 pm
Description:

WOW, what a great weekend we had!!! I cannot express how that little vacation was needed so much by our family.

I am sure that most people reading this,(including all of our Candlelighter families) have been, or are currently going through what we all have gone through with our children, whether its radiation, chemo, transfusions, surgery, etc… and we wonder at the end of that day or week, or even year how we made it through it all.

I can tell you I don’t know where we would be without the Candlelighters!!

Our daughter Jessie was diagnosed with RhabdomyoSarcoma (Soft Tissue Cancer) last July, and it has been one whirlwind of a year for us! We went through radiation, rounds of chemo, and eventually in October, we ended up having to remove her bladder to remove the cancer. It has been one crazy and exhausting year.
In April of 2010, Jessie finished her chemo treatment, and is currently in remission, YEAHHHH!!

When June came around and we were invited to the Family Beach Retreat with the Candlelighters, we were so happy to be able to get away, and it was well worth it!! We had so much fun in those 3 days, we are all still talking about it. We met so many new families, and for the first time in a while, we didn’t have a care in the world! The massage probably helped too.

Our family is so grateful for the Candlelighters and all they have done for our family! Thank you so much!!! You really do make a difference for kids with cancer!!

Candlelighter mom ~ Angela

Candlelighters would like to graciously thank Bari Stevenson, Mandy Black, and the staff at the Doubletree Guest Suites for their outstanding hospitality. Also, a sincere thank you to Jody Stork and students; Jennifer Baxter, Dianna Ivey, and Barbara Bradshaw from Space Coast Health Institute for the wonderful, relaxing massages given to our families.

Universal Studios
Date/Time: April 25, 2010, 10:00 am-7:00 pm
Description:

Universal Studios/Island's of Adventure!

Thank you notes from the families.

We had an amazing day and didn't leave the park until the first raindrop fell around 6:30pm! As I'm sure you noticed there were NO LINES and GREAT WEATHER....a perfect day all in all. Another heartfelt thank you to Candlelighters for our special day!

~Denise

Thank you Adis, Carrie, and the rest of the Candlelighters are awesome. We had a great family day at Universal Studios!
~Marielle

Dear Adis and Candlelighters of Brevard, my family and I want to say thank you so much. It was nice to spend one fun day with our kids and to see a big smile on Yasmin's face it really meant a lot to us. Once again thank you!
~Nuzly

Just wanted to thank you so much for taking us to Universal Studios. We had a great time!! Our feet were pretty sore but we really enjoyed ourselves! The weather turned out perfect. It really was nice to get away and have fun for a change. Tyler and Kayla needed the distraction from school work-they had so much fun. You are wonderful for doing nice things and being there for all of us!

~ Tanya

We all had a wonderful day and lunch at Bubba Gump [yummy] Thank you so much, all you do is much appreciated, especially the love.
~Chris

Thank you so much for the beautiful day at Islands of Adventure. The kids had a great time and it was nice just to get away from it all. The Candlelighters are a huge blessing.
~ Jennifer

Thank you for the wonderful family day at Islands of Adventure! It was truly rejuvinating and we were able to spend time together having fun. Jeremy loved riding the "Hulk", he looked forward to it for a long time.
~ Roxanne, Jeff, Josh, Jason, Justin, Jeremy, & Jessica

Space Coast Stadium
Date/Time: March 28, 2010, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Description:

Candlelighters at the Space Coast Stadium!

We all enjoyed the afternoon at the ball field.
Thank you Space Coast Stadium and the
Washington Nationals for providing the great
tickets and meal vouchers!

Celebration of Life
Date/Time: March 21, 2010, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Description:

Celebration of Life!

We had such a great time at the Celebration of Life picnic. It is so nice to have all the Candlelighter kids and families together enjoying such a beautiful afternoon.

Having a child with cancer can be a very lonely journey, it is so refreshing to be with other parents that are or have traveled the same path that we are. Kylie is infatuated with butterflies, the releasing of the butterflies was just simply amazing to her, she is still telling everyone about it. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to remember the children that are now angles.

We love you and can't thank you enough for everything that you do for our families. As Kylie says you always make her feel so special.
Love~ Misty, David, Ben, and Kylie

Christmas Party 2009
Date/Time: December 13, 2009, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Description:

The Magic of Christmas!

What a great day for all of the Candlelighter children and their families. Thank you Candlelighters for all that you do for our families. Josh says that his favorite part was when Santa arrived on the fire truck. I wish you could have seen the excitement on his face. Words cannot express how I felt as a mommy. After all that my little boy has gone through this past year, it was such a joy to see him happy, excited and acting like a typical kid. Again, thank you Candlelighters and all those who helped make the Christmas Party possible.

Thank you Candlelighters and the many donors who made this Candlelighters Christmas party great fun for the kids. The crafts, music, entertainment, balloon guy, food, Santa... the boys had a great time!
Thank you for caring!!!

Christmas Donations

1 Child Sponsor

Andrew & Tracy Kirschner

Betty Stang

Bill & Debbie Klein

Charlotte Bauer

Chickie Noble

Don & Janice Whitney

Eleanor Culliton

Joan McWilliams

Millie Neil

Mrs. Mary Anne Smith

Pat Tebbe

2 Children Sponsor

Carol Garrison

Colleen Ydo

Harry Deffebach

Jean Edmundson

Joe Marinello

Kasey & Kameron Snow

Laurel Crowe

Miriam Doyle

1 Family Sponsor

Alberta Beuchat

Bruce & Tracy Jacobus

Carl & Roslyn Smedberg

Don & Julie Herndon/Classic Wood Flooring

Edna & Ken Smith

Jackie Burns (2)

Jim Fanto c/o Fanto Group, LLC

Joan Berry Nassar, P.A.

Kerry & Karen Speed

Laurel Crowe (3)

Mike & Sue McCann

Mike & Maureen Downey

Patricia Savage

Paul & Maureen Stewart, In Honor of our Nieces and Nephews:

Elizabeth & Clara Ciminelli

Gabriel Ciminelli

Carolyn & Christina Ciminelli

Ariel & Alicia Hartney

Richard Hawkes

Sarah Wing

Tim & Theresa Currier

Elves

Atlas Insurance Company

Brevard Hyundai Dealers and employees

Craig Hoffarth

Dayle Gaffney

Dream Catchers of Suntree

Elaine & Bill Lewis

Jason, Stacey Sullivan and Girls

Kris Faulkner

Marion Sarrica

Our Savior School/Marla Allen’s Kindergarten Class

Tammy Pritchett

In-kind and Monetary Donations

In Memory of MaryLou Galloway, Ben & Olga Harris

Angels in Aprons

Ann Hartnett

Arlene Reckard

Audrey Cottrell

Barbara & Ed Struttmann aka Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

Candlelighters’ Volunteers

Carol Garrison

Century 2001, Inc., Scott & Beth Ouellette

Chuck & Marylou Dunsford

Col & Mrs. Warren Meyer

Diane Quinn

Double’s Hoagies

Dream Catchers of Suntree

Dussich Dance Studio

Edward & Carolyn Pettipas

Elaine Ilku

Frito Lay

Gleason Park Recreation Department

Indian Harbour Beach Fire Department

Jan Brady

John Funkhouser

Leaning Tower of Pizza

Loretta Wells

Marika Dippold

Maxine’s Salon & Spa

Neil & Phyllis Price

Our Savior School/Marla Allen’s Kindergarten Class

Party House

Pepsi Cola

Pilot Club of South Brevard

Raymond & Mary Carol Poynter

Rhea Stover

Rosa Samios

Sandy Manning

Satellite Beach PAL

Stefanie Cayer

Stephanie Reckard

Theresa Bryant

W.H. Ruby Jenkins

Suntree Golf Groups, Classic Lassies and Friday Tee-Zeers

Selenia Viera, May the children be blessed with love & happiness

Timmy Vee – WA1A

Tommy Trix

Andretti Thrill Park
Date/Time: October 15, 2009, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Description:

Despite the rain, the families enjoyed their time together eating pizza, playing in the arcade, bowling, laser tag, rock climbing, and miniature golf.

Sea World
Date/Time: May 3, 2009, 9:00 am-7:00 pm
Description:

The day at Sea World couldn’t have been more wonderful. The weather was beautiful, the company amazing and lunch was delicious. The kids didn’t stop smiling from the moment we got there until they fell asleep in the car on the way home. This was by far the most fun we’ve had in many months. The kids enjoyed playing in the water area, riding the rides, climbing the nets and watching Shamu.

I loved seeing them so happy and just being kids. Kody and Dylan are still talking about it and telling anyone that will listen how great it was. They are also very excited about being able to go back thanks to the inexpensive upgrade for the rest of the year. This wasn’t just a trip to Sea World it was a recharge for our hearts and minds. I can’t say Thank You enough to Adis, Carrie and all the Candlelighter supporters, without you this day of fun would not have been possible for us.

All Our Love,

The Ortner Family