Wow!!  We can not believe this will be our LAST year to run the Mercedes Marathon for The Bell Center in honor of our son, nephew, cousin and friend Vaughan!  What a special place The Bell Center has been to our family since we were surprised on March 30, 2009 with a little boy born with Down Syndrome.  This place has been a source of energy, excitement, knowledge and love from the first call I ever made to Ms. Betty Bell wanting to know where in the world to start this new journey.  I remember, like it was yesterday, getting out of the car with our 6 week old Vaughan for his first evaluation at The Bell Center.  Matt and I were nervous it would be this sad place - maybe depressing was the word we used- we just had no idea what to expect as this was a new journey for us.  We sat in there for over an hour and watched therapist after therapist ooh and aah over our Vaughan.  I told Matt when we left " They think Vaughan is the cutest baby boy with Down Syndrome they have ever seen."  I know now, they make every parent feel this way every day! What a blessing to walk in a place scared to death and leave feeling blessed beyond measure. 

Vaughan has absolutely thrived at The Bell Center!  So much so, I am shaking in my boots to leave this place and make the next step in our journey.  He loves all his therapists and has had an opportunity to work with each and every one there.  He takes part in their All About Me class 4 days a week for an hour and 50 minutes where he receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and special education.  He also participates in Kindermusik once a week. The Bell Center partners with excellent programs like Hand in Paw, Mr. Walker's drum line, Children's Dance Foundation and VSA for art therapy.  He walks in every morning so excited and eager to learn what they have planned.

This fundraiser is VITAL to the strength of the programming at The Bell Center.  The Bell Center is a non-profit that relies solely on fundraising and private funding to help any child birth to age 3 with developmental delays.  There is not another place in the country that offers all of these services under one roof - it is really that special!!  Please consider partnering with us to help The Bell Center to continue their energy, excitement, knowledge and love for Vaughan and other children like him!!  They are counting on YOU!!

 

Love and Gratitude,

Kelly and Matt Rainer and all Vaughan's Valentines

The Stephens - Robert, Tracy, Boyd & Margaret James

Jenny Evans

Mary Virginia Mandell

Aynsley Armstrong

Jenny & Todd Roth

Maggie & Conan Brooks

Laura Rue

Kate Smythe

Mason Johnston

Michael Tapley

Misty Powell

Gracie Powell

Becky Bresler

Brian Roth

Brian Roth, Jr.

Ben Walker