Hello to all,
We’re still here! Trying hard to get things back on track.
We have received a few applications for new kids, but as you know, those can take time until parents send in all that is required for their child to be featured on MACS. Later on today, you will meet sweet Isabella!!!
Many people have asked us why there hasn’t been any new featured kids lately…. and other than what I just stated above (about the time it takes to get all documents in), there’s also the task of recruiting new kids. Finances have changed the staffing and ability to recruit children to the site.
But also, on a not so happy note…. Vicki Scott, one of our Board of Directors, who has been my “right arm” on MACS for over 10 years, was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer, so she has taken a temporary leave of absence from MACS while she goes through her Chemo treatment. Vicki also plays a huge role on making quilts for “Love Quilts”, an Organization of lovely ladies who began making Quilts for MACS kids in 1999, and then branched out to other sick kids too. Thankfully, Vicki can continue quilting, especially during those long chemo sessions.
If anyone wishes to send Vicki a card, I am sure she will be delighted and appreciates the support. She has done so much for the kids in the past 10 years!
You can send mail to our MACS address and we will forward it to her.
Vicki Scott
614 E. Hwy 50, #150
Clermont, FL
34711 - U.S.A.
Or you can visit her CaringBridge website and sign her Guestbook!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vickiscott
Back on the topic of new Featured Kids….
YOU can help us too!!!! If you come across the website of a sick child, and there is a way to contact the parent, either by email or signing the Guestbook, then please tell them about MACS!! We appreciate any help we can get so we can feature more kids.
**NOTE** - Before you invite any child, make sure you check their website for some basic information to see if they qualify to be on MACS. Or else it will be pretty upsetting for the parent to apply and not qualify.
Basic requirements are:
– Children between ages 2 and 17 years old.
– Children currently living in the United States.
– Children who have been recently diagnosed with a serious/chronic life-threatening illness and are STILL undergoing treatment.
Not all illnesses qualify for MACS, but if you find kids who at least meet ALL the criteria above, then we can later let them know if they qualify or not, once we receive an application, doctor’s statement and other required info.
So if you can help out, that will be GREAT!
And last, but not least………. HAPPY 12th ANNIVERSARY MACS!!!! Kind of belated… it was on May 17th, but I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, because I feel like we can truly celebrate 10 years of MACS, instead of 12, since the last 2 years have been really tough while trying to stay open/operating, therefore we did not make too many kids smile like we used to…. but hopefully things will change for the better again.
Thank you all for still being here,
Alexandra Bakker
Founder & President
Make A Child Smile Organization
http://www.makeachildsmile.org
