I started this blog over a month ago and haven’t touched it since. It’s been an interesting journey and I have much to report however if there is anything I need do right now, above everything else I could do, I need to say ‘THANK YOU!!!” I just want to say “thank you.” I need to acknowledge all those who have brought me this far, already knowing I will forget too many people. So I will say as I’ve said before “I would be negligent if I didn’t say thank you. It wouldn’t be right and I would feel horrible if I didn’t say so. I will name names even though I know I will leave someone out since there are so many to acknowledge, so I will do it like this in the beginning in case your name is not found below:
“Thank you to all who have come and gone, leaving footprints on my heart and forever changing my life.
“Thank you for those who are still here, Loving me and believing in me.
“Thank you in advance for those who I have yet to meet. I am honored that our paths will cross and know I will be blessed by your presence whether it will be for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I hope you will feel blessed by my presence too.
I have knocked on doors and solicited businesses in four different cities: Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Wilson (Windsor), CT and Vernon, CT. I’ve had others donate from other places but those are the areas I’ve been in knocking on doors and talking to people. The donors are listed by the name of the city they are in or I met them, neither in alphabetical order nor by donation amount. In fact, some of the people listed here are not even financial donors, some are people who let me take a few minutes to tell them about my dream but were not in a position themselves to help. So I am saying “thank you” for financial, spiritual, emotional and mental assistance because they have all lent to my growth and development.
Of the financial donations, I have received amounts from people ranging from $1 to $100. A very special thank you goes to the person who put $1100 towards my ticket. I am forever grateful to everyone who has played a part in helping me get to where I am heading. I Love, honor, admire and adore you all. I promise your money has been used wisely.
God’s continued blessings to everyone. Always…(s.m.i.l.e.)
BLOOMFIELD, CT
Dr. Sean Robotham, Chiropractic Physician (860 206-8198, 860 242-0274)
ELLINGTON, CT
Suzanne Farrah
RALEIGH, NC
Tara Zechini-@ bar with Mark
Mark Nixon, Asst. GM Oxford Pub, Massage at bar with co-workers
Thank you to the bartender at the bar who allowed me to solicit his customers. I wish I could remember the name of the bar and its bartender where I met Tara, Mark and the crew they were running with.
Thank you to the bartender at the bar who allowed me to solicit his customers. I wish I could remember the name of the bar and its bartender where I met Tara, Mark and the crew they were running with.
Kierra
Malcolm
Linwood’s family, at Greyhound Station w/wife and 2 granddaughters (girls heading back to CT)
Brent
Professor Boone
Gloria
Carl- Capital Cuts
Ms. Charity-Ojemba African Store, made her labels
Sam Whitt
African Hair Braiding, Trawick
Marvette
Richard-City Market Barber
Reverend David Foye
Mike and customer-Capital Barber, Hargett Street
Lamont and Rodney-Joes Barber
Sam-Blalock’s
Mr. Mac-Harris Barber School
Jack
Marsha-Beautiful door, “knock and it shall be opened unto you”
Tom
Hope Rawlins
Mike-Wants to see pictures when I come back
Chapman Williams
Sheila Cox
Bill
Doris-The Oakwood Inn
Eddie
Bob
Ann
John
Ashley
Jenian (pronounced: Jenny Ann), beautiful quotes on door, member Unitarian Universalist Church
Matthew
Dave
Tracy Whitt
Renae Newmiller, Mission Coordinator, Edenton Street United Methodist Church
Victor Washington-www.godchild.biz
RICHMOND, VA
Elegba Folklore Society-Janine (owner), Ben, Minta (customers)
Cici outside 7 Eleven
Jerry owner of tent business outside CVS-Corner of Broad and Boulevard
Awa’s African Hair Braiding-Awa (not owner), Fanta
Harvey’s Progressive Barber Shop (the smaller shop)-
namely: Melvin (stylist), Fred, Lakita, Devetta, Rob (stylist), Champ, Darrell (not pronounced like you think it is, Frank (stylist-donation for Patricia too), Ben, Jeff
Al-Stuffy’s Sandwich Shop
Jennifer
Kevin, owner of Carpe Diem
Victoria
Les
SOMERS, CT
Bethany and Curtis Bingham
TOLLAND, CT
Cara Singer
VERNON, CT
Jason Seplowitz-owner Ron-A-Roll Skate Center, allowed me to hold Bake Sale there.
Kerry and Kevin
Chassity (Rick’s daughter)
LaShaun
Marianne
Maureen and Zack
Eric, Yolanda, Tibor, Olga
Monique
Rochelle
Ron
Thomasina Russell
June and Tracy
Andy, Marcel, Shaheem-students from VCMS
Al
Mike
Corey-Nice smile
Juanita
Chris
George
Thomas-Unemployed, reminds me of the story of the widow's mites, even though he didn't have much he gave saying he wish he could give more.
DaQuan
JeQuon-Wished he had $1 to donate
Joe
My Kenyan Sister-chose to remain nameless
Nicole
Darleen Dewey-member of Full Gospel, Main St., Manchester, CT
Kim and Bruce-Bring back pictures
Guy
Irene
Julia
Norma
Leon
Mr. Fazal-cut his lawn (wife fed and tipped me)
Helen Moselsky
Lady growing Chocolate Mint in her yard...it smelled so good!
Kevin
Frank
John
Mr. Lattanzio
Tim-Gave up a rib for me…haahaaahaa!
David Matthew Barnes-Kourtney’s man to rescue
Jennifer Conde
Susan
Heather
Katie (Heather’s daughter)
John Murphy (from MA, driving by)-stopped by my “Adult Lemonade Stand”; left Friday advice: hug your kids no matter how old they are, Love your wife, never kick the dog
Jenna (Katie’s friend)
Cindy (Jenna’s mom)
Lloyd Monroe and Jayden
Tommy (14)
Daelon-Friend of Tommy’s
Roobix (Adam) Ortiz-Brother
Jasmine Ortiz-Sister
Raquel-Security, repeat customer
Classie-Basketball video, been to Ghana
Billy-Ron-A-Roll Employee
Betty-mom
Cathie
Jamie Stevenson
Virgil
Millz (Jamil), Vivian, Michael, Matthew: 11th graders at Hartford Public
Jamal-Security, Kindergarten teacher, detention center employee
Tamia, Damon, Bucky-Illing Middle School
Waleska and Jose-HPHS bus driver and son
Tori-Raquel’s friend, repeat customer
Bryan-Came back as promised
Roland- “Cookie Man”, choco-chip
Steven
Pauline
Mimi
Traci
Phyllis
With Tracie and Phyllis
Linda
Kathy
Sandra
Claudia
Kimmy
Macy, Marc
Sumitra-member of Red No. 5-5 woman a capella singing group
Monica Ferrara-Police Explorer at Rockville Fest
WASHINGTON, D.C.: This was a special group of people who helped me out of a really uncomfortable situation. I'm grateful for them and have decided to include them here for lack of a better place to put them.
Justin
Josh
Carl
Melissa
Steven
E (teacher)
WILSON (WINDSOR), CT
Shawnda-Premier Beauty Salon-also Angela, Kamara, Emily and 1 other in salon
Tiffany-Serenity
Gus and Joe-Valley Barber Shop
Sally
Stylist at First Class Beauty, Plus customer
Ken Harvey-Went to his church, North United Methodist, Albany Avenue, Hartford
Ms. Pat-1st person to speak with, started to cry, was incredibly kind and listened
Olga-Beautiful, Massive Garden
Gil
Kareem
Janelle
Rosemary
Frank-cut his lawn
Reverend Dr. Massey-Hopewell Baptist Church, 860 522-4321
Minister Sams-Hopewell Baptist Church,
Minister Sams-Hopewell Baptist Church,
Deacon Robert Bolden-Hopewell Baptist Church
And many more...
