faith4faith.org

Updated 18 November 2009

BIG NEWS! Faith has been selected as the MDA's 2009 Georgia Goodwill Ambassador!

We are so proud of our girl!

11/8/09 This weekend was the MDA Walk of Hope. 35 members of Team Faith4Faith came out for the walk. Together we raised over $4,200.00 for the MDA! I had such a fun time at the zoo with my friends and family. A huge thank you to everyone who came and everyone who made donations. My good friend Brianna Godshalk came out too. Brianna taught me Violin for 2 years. She is now Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen for 2009. The MDA folks pulled Brianna and I up on the stage to lead the cheers and dances at the beginning of the walk. I was so glad Brianna was up there with me! The whole day was so much fun. Thank you to everyone for making it a special day and for helping with MDA.

Faith with raffle tickets

10/9/09 We attended the MDA Executive Lockup in Duluth. My mom's friend, Miss Sara Johnson, was there as on of the executives. We had so much fun hanging out with her and all the people who came. We stayed about two hours. I helped pass out raffle tickets and my brother helped picked tickets for the prizes. We had a great time! I heard the earned over $31,000 at that event. Thank you! Don't forget it's not too late to join the Faith4Faith team at the MDA Walk of Hope on 11/7. If you want to join the team, email my mom. If you can't attend and would like to make a donation go here. https://www.joinmda.org/mdawalkofhope2009/annmccoll

Miss Peggy, Faith, and Carue

Miss Sara, Faith, and Carue

Miss Bonnie and Faith

Faith with raffle tickets

9/20/09 I had a great time at the MDA telethon on Labor Day. I was lots of my MDA friends while we were waiting to go on air. Keisha Lancelin from CW Atlanta interview me on the air and then they showed the MDA film about me. It was neat to be at the telethon, but it was also fun to watch it at home when we weren't there. We saw so many of our friends doing on air interviews. I am still trying very hard raise funds for the MDA Walk of Hope November 7th. If you haven't donated yet, would you consider donating a small amount. It would mean so much to me and my MDA friends! You can go here to donate. https://www.joinmda.org/MyEvent/MyHomepage/tabid/81526/Participant/annmccoll/Default.aspx

This week is National Mitochondrial Disease awareness week. My family will be attending Music for Megan on Saturday to help support the UMDF. Go to www.musicformegan.com to find out more!

Faith and Ken Cook, Atlanta MDA telethon co-host and Meteorologist Extraordinaire. This was Mr. Cook's 30th year co-hosting the event!

9/5/09 I had the opportunity to meet Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue on Monday. We were there with many Atlanta Fire Chiefs and other MDA families. It was great to get to thank so many of the Atlanta Fire Chiefs and Officers for their help raising money for the MDA. Carue,my mom, and I all toured the Capitol museum after all the pictures were taken. What a great lesson in GA history! Then we went to another historic Atlanta landmark... The Varsity!! Yum-o!!!

8/23/09 I have spent this year visiting corporations and groups that are helping to raising funds for the MDA. Now it's my chance to raise funds with the help of my family, friends, and their family and friends. That's you!!

The MDA is a wonderful organization. Every six months I go to MDA clinic. When I'm at the clinic I get to see all my doctors in one visit! This is a big help to me and to my parents. The MDA also helps me pay for equipment I need (like my wheelchair). The MDA sends kids like me to camp for a whole week in the summer, and most importantly the MDA is looking for a cure to Mitochondrial Myopathy (which is what I have) and other neuromuscular diseases.

Please join my team or make a donation (any donation helps!) to my efforts for MDA! I'd love to have you join me at Zoo Atlanta on November 7th.

Thanks for making a difference!

Please join my team or make a donation (any donation helps!) to my efforts for MDA! I'd love to have you join me at Zoo Atlanta on November 7th.

Thanks for making a difference!

7/1/09 Mom blogging for Faith. We wanted to include some pictures of Faith with the film crew. They came out to take footage of Faith for a piece they will do on her for the MDA telethon on Labor Day. They took "B-footage" of Faith with her garden, swinging with Carue, playing with the cats, writing a story on her computer, reading in her bed... all the things that are so Faith! Then they interviewed Chance and I, and then Faith seperately.

As you know, Faith's MDA camp was canceled due to the Swine Flu break out in MDA camps up north. She would have been here this week. We were fortuate enough to on very short notice to join our friends the Campanelli's in Amelia Island for a long weekend vacation at the beach! Wow, that but a big smile on our girl's face. It was a wonderful weekend with our dear friends. Just what we all needed!

6/20/09 On June 6, we went to McCallister's Deli in Kennesaw for the Shamrock celebration. The McCallister's in Kennesaw sold over $1,000 in Shamrocks. Miss Emily brought them pizzas, and I thanked them for helping the MDA. This was McCallister's first year doing the Shamrock program. The whole company sold about $5,000 worth of Shamrocks! Thanks McCallisters!!!

5/25/09 Happy Memorial Day! Last Tuesday, my mom and I went to Chateau Elan for a golf tournament sponsored by Mansfield Oil. We spent the night at Chateau Elan on Monday, because we had to be at the tournament at 8am. I usually still asleep at 8am, so it would have been a long way to travel so early in the morning.

We woke up, ate breakfast, and went to the golf course. It was so cold!! It was in the high 40s and very windy. Very unusual for Georgia spring. When we arrived at the meeting area, I couldn't believe how many people were there. My mom dropped me off with Miss Emily from the MDA while she tried to find a place to park. Miss Emily told me I could help with selling tickets. I sold something called "Mulligans" which gave the golfers an extra shot on a hole when they needed it. We sold a lot of them and lots of raffle tickets too.

After about an hour, Miss Andrea came and got Mom and me. We went to the front of the golf club house. I suddenly realized there were a LOT of people there. I went up the stairs and gave my MDA speech into a microphone to all the golfers. I heard later there were about 300 golfers there. They were all sitting lined up in their golf carts. There were a LOT of golf carts!! The Golf Pro gave them instructions, and they all went off to play. After they left, I met Mr. Mansfield the owner and president of Mansfield oil. He was very nice.

I was feeling very tired after my speech. Not sleepy tired, but Mito tired. I told my Mom I needed to lay down and rest. We went back to the hotel room, so I could lay down. After an hour instead of feeling better I felt worse, so we decided to leave and not stay for the awards ceremony in the afternoon. I was sad to miss it. I had so much fun passing out awards at the last golf tournament.

I heard from Miss Andrea that the Mansfield Oil Tournament raised over $240,000.00 for the MDA!!! It was the biggest amount every. I'm very thankful to all the people who participated and worked so hard. It took me a few days to feel better, but now I'm fine now.

I heard Miss Andrea will be coming out soon to film a video about our family for the telethon. That should be fun!
33 days till MDA Camp!!!! I can't wait!!

5/16/09 Today was the MDA "Fill the Boot" drive. My family went to the stadium at 4pm. My Mom and I went around to all the Atlanta firefighters and said "Hello and Thank you" to everyone! I also passed out pins for the firefighters to give to people who were making donations. After about an hour, we went to the Hank Aaron room in the stadium for the Kroger Shamrock Victory Party. They had all the winners from the tops stores and top zones at this dinner. There was a man there who has ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. He spoke to the group using a computer, because his voice no longer works. He also got to throw the first pitch out at the game! I read my poem "Because you Helped... I Hope" at the dinner. I met Matt Diaz who is one of the Atlanta Braves players. He and I accepted a big check from Kroger to the MDA. I met Homer the Braves Mascot. After the dinner, we watched the game. It was so fun to be in the stands cheering on the Braves. They lost the game, but we really had a great time watching them play. Thank you to the Atlanta Firefighters and to Kroger for all you do for the MDA!!

5/5/09 This morning I spoke with the Atlanta Fire Department Directors. It was so nice to meet them and give my speech. I was able to meet the Atlanta Fire Chief, Chief Cochran. He really loves the MDA and was encouraging all the fire fighters to support the fund raiser.

They are having a huge fund raiser called "Fill the Boot" at an Atlanta Brave's game on 5/16. If you go to the game that evening, you will see the firefighters there with their boots taking donations for the MDA. I think the goal is to "fill the boot" with all the donations they can. I will be there too helping collect money. I may even get to ride in the fire engine!

If you can, come out to the ball game at 7:30pm on 5/16. I'll be out in front with all the firefighters. Come say "hi" to me if you are there!

4/25/09 On Tuesday, April 21, I was invited to attend the MDA Applebee's Golf Tournament at Chateau Elan golf course. My mom and I arrived at noon. The first thing we did was ride around the entire golf course in golf carts with Miss Chase and Miss Barrett from the MDA. We stopped at each group of golfers, so I could thank them and have my picture made with them. It was such a beautiful day. It was sunny and everything was in bloom. It was also a little windy on the golf course.

When we got back to the club house, all the golfers started to come in from playing. I helped sell raffle tickets for all the raffle items that were donated. It was fun to get to talk to everyone again and ask them if they would like raffle tickets. One of the sponsors for the tournament bought a pink golf cap for me to wear! I love it!

We had a wonderful dinner with all the sponsors and players. After dinner, it was time to give out the raffle items. I got to draw the tickets for each item. Then I gave my speech to the group. I told them about Mitochondrial Disease and what the MDA is doing to help me. I thanked them for helping! At the end all the golf awards were given out. It was a fun day!

On Friday, April 24, Miss Kara from the MDA, my Mom, brother, and I all attended the RBC victory party for their MDA Shamrock program. Mr. Brian gave a gigantic check to Miss Kara for over $39,000 dollars!! That means they are sending 49 kids to camp!! I had such a great time meeting all the RBC managers and directors over the past few months. They did an amazing job on their Shamrock program. Mr. Brian said one of the branches had already started working on raising money for next years fundraiser. I can't wait to see how much RBC raises next year!

3/3/09 Today we went to a Kroger Zone meeting. It was right here in Marietta. I gave my speech to a group of branch managers. They were all very nice and friendly. They set a goal to raise over $53,000 just in their zone alone. Even though they were going to start on March 8th, the managers asked if they could start today! They made a phone call, and found out they could start right away. I'm so glad! Go Kroger!!

2/26/09 Today my mom, brother, and I went to an RBC bank branch meeting in Duluth. We met Miss Kara from the MDA there to help kick off their shamrock program. I read them my poem, "Because You Helped... I Hope." They were all very nice. I even got to sit at the head of the conference table. At that point, I realized how big the table was and how many people were sitting at it! This group of branch managers set a goal to send 44 kids to camp!!! Wow!! RBC banks are so committed to the MDA- Thank you!!

I got an email from my parent's friend Miss Lauren. She told me she bought a Shamrock in my honor at Lowe's this week! If you buy a Shamrock somewhere will you tell me? I'd love to know!!

My Mom wants me to tell you to hold the date of November 7th! That is the date of the next Walk of Hope at Zoo Atlanta. We had such a great time last year and hope lots more of you can come out!! We had a goal of $5,000 last year and raised $5,200. I wonder what our goal should be this year?? Hope you can join us!!

2/25/09 Today I gave another speech for the RBC Bank. This time I shared a poem I wrote called 'Because You Helped... I Hope'. I was excited to meet all the branch managers. Last time I was at the Regional Meeting, RBC decided to send 30 kids to camp. The meeting today was with one fourth of the branch managers represented from that first regional meeting. They represented 17 branches around the Atlanta area. Well, this region decided all on their own to send 30 kids to camp. This means that RBC is going to be sending a lot more than 30 kids to camp. To that I say, "Thank You!" If you bank at RBC, be sure to pick buy a Shamrock when you are there and help them reach these amazing goals! By the way, my Mom turned in my MDA Camp application. I am so excited to go to camp this year. Thank you to RBC and Kroger for sending me!!

2/23/09 Today I was at a Kroger corporate meeting helping them kick off their Shamrock program. We met a man named Glynn who works in the Community Relations department. He was so friendly. He made sure we were comfortable, and then he introduced us as we went into the conference room. It was a big regional meeting, so there were a lot of people (about 70 to 80) in the room as I gave my speech. The president of Kroger was in the meeting. He walked right over to me, shook my hand, and said, "Hello Faith, my name is Bruce." He was very friendly. You could tell he and the whole group are very committed to the MDA. They set a goal to raise $410,000!!! Wow, can you image all the research, equipment, and kids at camp? When you are shopping at Kroger, make sure to buy a Shamrock to help them meet their goals!

2/21/09 On Wednesday, I spoke to a bunch of Hardee's branch managers who were kicking off their MDA Shamrock program. We got to our meeting early. Luckily we brought our homeschool so we wouldn't get behind. It was around lunch time, so we decided to eat lunch. I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a vanilla shake for lunch. It was delicious! At 2pm, Emily from the MDA arrived, and we were ready to start our meeting. I got up in front of the managers and gave my speech just like I had practiced. They seemed really interested in the speech and excited about the kickoff. All of the Hardee's in GA and Birmingham are trying to raise $14,000. If they made their goal, that would be one kid at camp for every branch! I know they can do it! Next week, I have three kickoff meetings-- one for Kroger and two for RBC bank. I can't wait to meet those people too! Come back next week to see my updates on those meetings!

2/5/09 At 8:30 this morning, I had a phone conference with 80 employees of the RBC Bank. They are getting ready to kick off their MDA Shamrock program. I didn't expect it to be so easy to give a speech on the phone. I was excited to have the opportunity to tell them about myself and the MDA. I thanked them for all the work they will put into their MDA Shamrock program this year.

Later in the evening, we had our Goodwill Ambassador Celebration at the Park Tavern in Piedmont Park. I met lots of new people from the MDA some who worked for the MDA and some who were families just like us. I made a really nice, new friend named Marcella who is 12 years old. She is one of the local ambassadors for the MDA this year. I think we will be in the same cabin at camp. She has been to camp many times and told me all about it. Having her there will make camp even more fun!

Miss Peggy introduced all of the local Goodwill ambassadors, and then announced that I was the 2009 Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Georgia. I went up to the front of the audience, and gave my acceptance speech. It went really well. After the speech, everyone was congratulating me and shaking hands with me. I am so excited to represent the MDA this year. I made a promise to do my best all year long, and I am going to keep that promise!

1/28/09 Today I went to the library to meet up with Miss Little, my public speaking teacher from last year, to help me make some edits to my speeches. It was really helpful to know where to emphasize words, speak slowly and inflect. We worked together and practiced for about an hour. It was a big help to me. Thank you, Miss Little!

1/16/09 Today I visited the RBC Bank with my mom, Miss Emily and Miss Cara. They were kicking off their MDA Shamrock event, and I was able to attend. I gave a speech to a group of directors to hopefully help motivate them as they start. Boy did it work! When making their goal for how many kids to send to MDA camp this year they said "25" at first but then my Mom said "How about 30?", and I gave a big thumbs up. They said, "We'll do 30 for Faith!" They seem very excited about getting the Shamrock event going. They asked me to come out to their branch meetings to help kick off the event. I sure hope I can go! All the directors were so enthusiastic. I bet they WILL send 30 kids to camp, and I will be one of them.

I got a letter from Jerry Lewis in the mail today. He told me congratulations! He said he knows I'll do a terrific job this year. I am going to try my hardest!

1/12/09 I just found out today that I have been selected to be MDA's 2009 Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Georgia. I am very excited and proud to have this position for the next year. I can't wait to go to all the events, kick offs and the telethon. I'm glad the MDA is working to find a cure for Mito and other neuromuscular diseases. It is going to be such a fun year! I plan to post here every time I attend an event so check back often to see what I've been doing.