Getting Ready For The Grin Kids Trip
Tuesday September 22nd, 2009
I have a great job and I thank God for it every day. I get to hang out with people that I truly consider friends, I get to share my opinions, I get to laugh, I get to cry, and I get to get angry at times too. And all of those things come with the job. They’re expected!
If I were confined to a cubicle (even though I basically am for 3 hours before the show and 2-4 hours after the show ), or if I were a plumber’s assistant standing neck-deep in a sewer line trench with God-knows-what covering my feet (I did that one summer as well)…the opinion-sharing, the laughing, the anger, and even the tears might be cause for co-workers to think I’m having some kind of mental breakdown!
The bottom line is, I’m thankful every day for what I get to do…and I’m grateful to you for listening, for reading, for being part of the “Radio Family” and allowing us to continue doing what we do.
As we’re getting ready for our 10th annual Grin Kids trip to DisneyWorld, I have to take a moment and reflect a little bit on what has been accomplished because of you, your support, and your donations.
Before we even take the trip this year, 200 Grin Kids have gone on the trip to DisneyWorld, including their brothers, sisters, parents, and caregivers. Now, the final preparations are being made and another 21 Grin Kids, along with their families, will become part of our ever-expanding Grin Kids family.
Every year, we learn new things about Disney and we learn some small things (sometimes by trial-and-error) that make the incredible task of trip logistics a little bit more carefree for these families. It’s our job, with our Grin Kids Administrator Barb, to handle all of that…but please know that none of it could be done without you!
It literally takes tens and tens of thousands of dollars to make this trip occur each year. And now that we’re into our 10th year, you’ve provided us with well over a million dollars to make the Grin Kids trip a reality! From major companies involved in the golf tournament to a dollar that’s pledged on Play Anything Day…from a $30 ticket to Second Chance Prom to your $10 cover charge to see Charity Case rip faces off with an awesome concert…every dollar raised goes to the Grin Kids budget to make this once-a-year trip a reality.
Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to join several organizations to speak about Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids. The grand opening of a new office with our friends from Telesource; Bethlehem United Methodist Church; the Kiwanis Uptown club; a reception with Grin Kids golf tournament participants; the Charlotte Shag Club (shagging is a dance for those of you not familiar with beach music). I just love it. I love talking about the trip. I love sharing stories about the kids. I’m sure that people get tired of me sometimes, but it’s such a magical event, so rewarding, so awesome. And I’m flattered that these organizations have supported Grin Kids and allowed me to speak about the trip.
I also appreciate your taking the time to read this and letting me share my enthusiasm and excitement for this “10th Year Of Magic”. It’s my hope that you’ll enjoy the broadcasts on 10/5 and 10/6 from DisneyWorld with the Grin Kids, and that you’ll feel like this year’s kids are a part of your extended family as well…since you helped make the trip possible. Whether it was a large donation or a small donation, we know it’s large to you…and every dollar counts!
And remember, if your club, civic group, organization, alumni club, church, professional organization, office, hobby club, or random gathering of friends needs a speaker to talk about Grin Kids, you know where to find the guy that would love to do it!
With appreciation for your support and trust,
Yankee Pete
YankeePete@AceTJ.com
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