The Latest & Greatest
Believe In Tomorrow feels the impact of amazing acts of kindness every day. Since 1982, we’ve accumulated short and long term partners and donors who believe in us. Many of our long term partners are recognized here.
Much of what we receive, however, comes from individuals or small instances of giving back. We appreciate every gift, no matter how small. Read below to find the latest instances of giving, from sponsorship of an event, to generous donations by volunteers, to inspired acts of generosity that keep our programs running smoothly. Your thoughtfulness helps families have the best experiences possible while staying in our hospital and respite facilities, in addition to attending our Hands On™ Adventures.
The Children's House Treads on New Ground
Members of the Maryland and Northern Virginia Floorcovering Association visited The Believe In Tomorrow Children's House at Johns Hopkins Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17 in a whirlwind effort to replace all of the carpeting in the house's fifteen rooms. The result: brand new carpeting - and a new ground to tread on - in a beautiful shade of blue. The Maryland and Northern Virginia Floorcovering Association also held its annual golf tournament on June 17, which raised thousands for Believe In Tomorrow programs. Thank you to the association for being outstanding contributors in the month of June.
Children's House Carpeters:
Contract Carpet Systems\Carpet One, Beltsville, MD, Kurt Zanelotti
Nash Floors Carpet One, Rockville, MD, Steve and Chris Nash
Commercial Carpet of America\Carpet One, Alexandria, VA, Daryl Reinke
Peerless Carpet One, Rick Gessner, Timonium, MD
Quality Carpet One, Shawn Bayat, Woodbridge, VA
German Elementary School Supports Believe In Tomorrow
We always knew stories passed along from families who have stayed with our foundation traveled far, but we were never sure how far. A donation received from one very special group of 25 third graders showed us word has traveled internationally – at least as far as Bamberg, Germany. The American school children stationed on Bamberg military base were learning how to be good citizens in class when their teacher steered them toward a fund raising effort for the Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation. The result was a hard-earned donation of $250. Read the teacher’s note below in addition to one of the many student letters sent from Germany.
I decided last year that I wanted my military children to do a project that helped other children. I searched the net for an organization that helped other military children. Then in September I told them about you and we started raising money. They were very excited about it. I would certainly continue with your organization next year. Now we have something to shoot for and can try to top this year’s donation.
-Doris Moss
The Faces of Pinnacle Falls
May 2009
Bill Amick, owner of Renaissance Communities and his son David Amick, the inspiration behind Believe In Tomorrow’s Hands On Adventures program
The father/son team of believers stands as a driving force behind the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls. A decade ago, David Amick drove Believe In Tomorrow literally when he created a program to invite the critically ill children of Believe In Tomorrow to his NASCAR races, where he was behind the wheel. Guests of “Team Amick” could place primary colored handprints on Amick’s car before the race and sometimes talk to him through headsets.
The Amick’s dedication has continued with David’s participation as a Believe In Tomorrow board member and his father, Bill Amick’s, development expertise and financial support for the Believe In Tomorrow Pinnacle Falls project. Bill Amick, a resident of Batesburg, S.C., owns the Amick Company and Renaissance Communities, the developer of the Pinnacle Falls project.
Both father and son have made an outstanding commitment to Believe In Tomorrow, one that is truly “Hands On.”
Jason Buechel, Corporate Liaison with Natural Stone Veneers
Believe In Tomorrow Founder and CEO Brian Morrison first met Jason Buechel in February 2009. Buechel has generously offered to provide stone to put the interior touches on the façade and chimney of the mountain respite home. The light-weight stone veneers will help keep the Believe In Tomorrow house at Pinnacle Falls durable throughout the years and memorable to all who visit.
Carl Dakes, Dakes Company, master painter for Believe In Tomorrow Hospital and Respite homes
Carl Dakes know the emotions shades of paint can evoke in hospital and respite homes well. That’s because he is the master painter behind the foyer of the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins, the bright colors of the Believe In Tomorrow House On the Bay, and the pastel façade of the Believe In Tomorrow House at St. Casimir. Soon, Dakes will bring color and life into the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls too. At Pinnacle Falls, as with previous projects, Dakes will donate his time – and his impeccable sense of how to give a room life with color – to children and families going through greyer days. Dakes is head of the Baltimore/Annapolis chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and collects all of the painting supplies himself through donations by companies like Sherwin-Williams.
Unsung Heroes
Every year, Believe In Tomorrow recognizes an Unsung Hero at its Annual Benefit and Auction. This person is someone who goes beyond the boundaries of service, putting heart and soul into thoughtful and inspiring projects for the foundation. The amount of effort, time and assets this person spends makes them more than a contributor; they become part of the heartbeat of the organization and a forever friend. These are our Unsung Heroes.
2009 – Todd Pierce, PBR (Professional Bull Rider's Association, Inc.)
2008 – Carl Dakes
2007 – David Amick
2006 – Sean Sites
2005 - Patrick "Scunny" McCusker