Patches of Light

This is a video I made to honor Austin and his family who help children facing a cancer diagnosis. I have cried twice re-watching the video. I have posted with Amy's permission.
I need to take a moment now and then to reflect on what Patches of Light does. It is not just about the assistance we provide, it is about the families. ❤

Austin20243

Sometimes it's hard to keep your light shining . . .
I fell sleepwalking a few weeks ago and bruised the ribs on my right side, sprained my rotator cuff, jarred the issue in my back with the impact of the fall, and then developed a secondary issue due to the treatment.
I woke up that morning to 146 applications for assistance waiting to addressed, school supplies that needed delivered, several HUG Bags needing to be filled, legal forms at deadline, etc. Patches of Light's Board stepped in and helped with the school supplies and HUG Bags, and at the end of the day, the light was flickering, but still shining . . .
Although I thought I was dying for a week and a half, it is better and things are moving along albeit slowly, but getting done. Many prayers went up and I truly felt them.
A dear friend of mine called and just after we spoke she went out and hurt herself in a fall that affected her left side! Please keep her in your prayers.

After a very fraught conversation with a desperate mother last night, I feel this today!!!

Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world.

They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go.

Build bridges.
Hold hands.
Bring light to a dark and desperate world.
Be the hero you are looking for.
Peace is possible.
It begins with us.

Author: L.R. Knost

I would like to send a thank you out to all of you who have been working to keep Patches of Light in the business of helping families with children facing catastrophic health issues. I want to thank Debbie and Mitch, I know they do not want recognition so I will not include their last name, who have been an unseen and unheard angels for several families through Patches of Light.
We have somehow become a go-to for St. Jude's. I know people say, "They have so much money . . . " Well, I can't answer for that, but if they ask for help for a family in need and we have the money, we help. Debbie and Mitch have stepped in to help a young man staying in one of the St. Jude's homes with food, and the basic necessities needed during the long stay. They also stepped in and paid an entire rent situation off, including the court cost for a mom to stay in her home with her kiddos. They paid a payment IN FULL for a family struggling and although we were going to pay the basic level, they paid the entire amount off. Thank you!!
Thank you to Austin's Forever, for forever helping us raise funds and awareness!! We couldn't do what we do without this type of help. Thank you to Smyrna Bible Chapel for your prayers, support, and donations! You are a babe in your new church, but you are a giant in the love and support you share!
This is just a few of the major support warriors we have on our side. I am going to start highlighting those who will allow it, many want to remain anonymous and that is amazing in itself.
Saying thank you never seems like enough. However, there is a quote from an old French Proverb that says: "Gratitude is the memory of the heart." Yes, yes it is.

🌟 Join us for a day of swinging for a cause at the Golf Outing for Charity on Friday, September 20th, starting at 8 am! 🏌️‍♂️⛳ Heart of Gold has put together an amazing event to benefit Patches of Light, and we'd love for you to be a part of it.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this event promises fun and camaraderie, all in support of Patches of Light's mission. Mark your calendars and invite your friends and colleagues to join us for a memorable day !
To sign up
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heart-of-gold-golf-outing-for-charity-tickets-948362807687?aff=oddtdtcreator

A beautiful little angel . . . Bella was one of our precious 2024 "Rock Your Journey" kiddos. Prayers for her family.

Our brave girl left her legacy here on earth to dance on streets of gold July 14th 2024 at 4:19pm ET

Bella passed peacefully in our arms.

Please keep her name on your lips, her memories alive and her bravery in your hearts. Please share with us every detail of how she touched your life or kept you brave.

Bella would want you to remember; God is love, be brave and you are never too old to bring a stuffy.

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

PLEASE keep Bella and her family in prayer!! Bella is one of our "2024 Rock Your Journey" kiddos and an AMAZING, STRONG, BEAUTIFUL, little girl.

Finally available for purchase.

Looking for someone able (and willing) to teach a brief lesson on Afternoon High Tea to a group of moms and children in October. Our "High Tea" will be a bit different, adapted for children, by being a "Mario Brothers" High Tea. 🙂
It will be for our annual Storybook Tea Party for Patches of Light. We have had Alice in Wonderland, The Princess and the Frog, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, but per several "gentle-men's" requests we are doing a more gender neutral theme with "Mario Brothers." We have had several boys come to the previous tea's, so I will be honoring their request. 🙂 ❤
Thank you!

** I am out of town until Saturday morning, however, I have had a lot of people ask about how much we’ve raised. As far as I know, I believe we’ve raised about $300, thank you, thank you thank you to those who have donated, every little bit helps. I will check more once I get back Saturday, however every little bit helps and I am very grateful to everyone who stepped out, especially with all the needs we all have due to the economy, it makes your gift of giving mean even more! It’s heartwarming to know that if we are able to do this for her a family will be thinking, “gosh, I didn’t even know these people yet they reached out to make sure our little girl was able to meet her great grandparents before she passes.” Thank you so much again! **❤️❤️

I occasionally have to step outside my normal way of providing assistance for a family and it is usually for something out of the ordinary.
Tonight at our Patches of Light board meeting I discussed a request that I just do not have the funds for due to our organization receiving well into the 50+ a month requests right now. These requests are mainly for food, utilities, gas for travel, etc. We have even had to cut back on assisting past due rent/mortgages for the time being due to funding. In 25 years of service to others I have never seen such an increase in need and an increase in our need to do what ever it takes to help families referred to us.
At the meeting I mentioned the request for a 4 year old, not in our area or I would not post due to HIPPA, in hospice and the parents would like for her elderly grandparents in China to meet her before she passes. The parents have saved for the trip, but just found out the little girl will need oxygen due to a HAST (high altitude simulation test) that states she will require 1L of oxygen by nasal cannula for the high altitude, including the flight. The portable oxygen is not covered by their insurance and they do not have time, they were to leave June 30th, to raise the additional $1,545.00 for the equipment.
I have the paper work from the company and I would ask the social worker to contact you personally if you find you might be able to donate to her trip/health.
I wasn't going to ask, but as my board reminded me, if we don't ask we will never hear yes. It is a big request I get it, but it is also a big gift for a family that has very little time left for their family to be together.
If you find that you can assist please contact me and need verification I will gladly provide any verification you may need and a way for us to get her social worker the funds.
I am tired. I am heartbroken by seeing so much need and so little resources for out of the ordinary situations. A 4 year old on hospice and wanting to meet her grandparents is definitely an out of the ordinary situation, thank heavens.
Times are touch for everyone, but thank you for at least taking the time to read her story and say a prayer that their hope will become a reality. As always . . . Believe in the light, be the light. ❤
If you would like to donate you can also go to our website and donate. PLEASE make a note that lets us know the funds are for the oxygen. Even though I can not real their names, they will know . . . I know they will. I myself have felt the unspoken kindness and love of others when my children were sick and we needed prayers.
If we are able to give them this gift and they offer a photo or an update I will pass it on. Parents shouldn't have to save up for a "final trip" with their child. :(

Yes . . .

Tell them Patches of Light sent you. We love Allie! She is brave, strong, and is using her experience to help others. Way to go Allie!!

OMGosh!! I just had a donation from someone who was making it in the name of a 2024 graduate. The young man (I will post after I get permission to use his full name) asked that any graduation gifts be a donation to Patches of Light. He had printed in cards: "Graduation is a new beginning in my life's path. I want that new path to be paved with kindness, giving, and compassion. What better way to begin this part of my life than to help someone less fortunate?" (Thank you, Joel)
We also recently had two beautiful family's donate in memory of their loved ones (Sean and Steve). How can you not just completely admire and hold in your heart those who choose to begin a new journey, or end a life's journey, helping and caring for others?
Days like this make me sit back and re-evaluate how I want to live, who I want to be remembered by and how, and who I hope to share my energy, faith, dreams, and joy with as we walk together hoping to make a difference in this world.
Thank you to those who carry on the flame of hope and caring.

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.
**Mr. Rogers’ recounting of his mother’s advice when he was a child.**

Every night I pray for joy. I pray that just a moment of joy will touch my heart each day. I never know where that joy will come from, but it is usually from an unexpected place. The Gala for our 25th year as an organization brought me tremendous joy.
It was so wonderful to hear Senator Stephanie Kunze speak, she has been a great advocate and support for us through the years. Her kind words brought tears to my eyes.
It was emotional seeing families that have been down the road of caring for a sick child, yet are still strong and compassionate toward others.
I was thrilled to see several of our past board members, as well as our current board who work so hard and did work so hard to make my dream of an event that would celebrate families, friends, new friends, care providers, family and more.
I wish I could say 25 years and we are done . . . but we are now more needed than ever before. So, thank you to all who have joined in to share compassion and strength, freely given funding and friendship, have traveled the long road of a sick child, and those who love their fellow man unconditionally. Here is to another 25 years.

Thank You to the New Jersey Mike’s Subs at Hilliard Rome for your support. Stop in anytime between now and May 12th present this coupon and get a sub for just a $3.00 donation to Patches of Light!!