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We are Lou
Meet Future Leaders of the Community of Lafayette
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"While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about."
~ Angela Schwindt, American author
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June 7, 2012- Lafayette, California
The slogan for the Lafayette School District states, "Our students are prepared to be creative, responsible, productive citizens in an ever-changing global society". These words so aptly describe the amazing young people, ages ranging from 6 to 13, who were each inspired to make a difference in the fight to defeat ALS.
At Burton Valley Elementary School, members of the 4th and 5th grades who participate in the "Noon League" program decided that they wanted to do something special to honor their friend, Matt Chaney. Chaney has been living with ALS for over twelve years, but still maintains his independence and active lifestyle, including serving as a team captain for the "Hot Dawgs" cycling team for the 8th Annual Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS.
"Matt has done so much for the Noon League program and he is an inspiration to our students," said Principal Sue Rusk.
"We work to strengthen our students’ character in many ways," Rusk said. "Noon League saw a number of new sports this year and record participation. Throughout the year, the students’ good sportsmanship and camaraderie was a pleasure to observe. Central to the success of this program is Matt Chaney who shows up every day eager to work with our students and to share his joy for life and sports with them. When he’s not on our sports fields he is doing an amazing job with the organizational side of this program."
With the generous donations from BVE Noon League families and Student Council, the ambitious students were able to raise $2,341 to support the Ride. They surprised their beloved coach at a special school assembly, along with a few surprise "thank you's". The students had created a special photo book and a set of thoughtful notes, that was presented to Matt.
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Members of the "Noon League" in action,
collecting donations to support the Ride to Defeat ALS
(from left to right: Nick Broback, Justin Bocks, Cole Brightbill)
Nick Broback, Cooper Davis, Cole Brightbill, and
Justin Bocks presenting their $2341 gift
to Matt Chaney to support Team Hot Dawgs
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"This was simply amazing. All of this was organized by the
students," said Matt Chaney. "I was completely and overwhelmingly
surprised, when the bleachers on the lower field were filled with
students and they presented me with a giant donation on a giant
check! I am so very touched by their generosity and support.
"A special thanks to Cole Brightbill, Justin Bocks, Cooper Davis and
Nick Broback for creating and organizing this amazing campaign and
Barbie Bocks and Dawn Brightbill for overseeing the boy’s efforts and
catching me completely off guard. Well done! Thanks also to Mrs.
Rodriguez's 2nd grade class for their spare change campaign that raised
$340 for the Ride." This effort was organized by Matt’s 7 year old
nephew Keith Johnson.
"I
appreciate the opportunity to continue a Burton Valley tradition since
1965. We are fortunate to be able to live in such an incredibly caring,
supportive and generous community as Lafayette," Chaney said.
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Matty Vicencio, Tyler Ewing and
Michael Bone, with Matt Chaney at their Little League field
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Matt also
served as a Coach and Board Member for the Lafayette Little League for
many years. Three current LLL players and 7th grade students at Stanley
Middle School- Michael Bone, Tyler Ewing and Matty Vicencio- made an
amazingly unselfish gesture to honor Matt's impact on their lives.
These three young men decided to solicit donations for Matt's team in
lieu of presents for for their 13th birthdays, which they celebrated
jointly. The combined donations from this celebration totaled $2,180.
"The efforts
of these young men has touched me beyond what words can describe"
Chaney said. "Those who contributed to support their endeavor have
equally moved me and I thank you from the bottom, sides, top and center
of my heart."
"In the
seven years this event has existed it has raised an aggregate of over
$2,000,000. These funds go directly to supporting families battling ALS
throughout California and will help fund research to hopefully find a
cause, treatment, and cure for this very devastating disease.
"By Tyler,
Matty, and Michael having chosen to apply the donations to support me in
the 8th Annual Napa Valley Ride To Defeat ALS, they bring us much
closer to our goal of $330,000." Chaney said.
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The efforts
of all of these young people shows that the dedicated community of
Lafayette are raising the type of citizens for a new culture, who value
making a difference in the lives of others and showing appreciation for
those showing them the way.
Chaney
decided to write a special letter to thank these young men, and offer
some specific wisdom that has come from his years as a parent, as a
coach, and as a person living with Lou Gehrig's disease.
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Tyler, Michael and Matty,
I'm very
sorry I am unable to join you tonight for your birthday celebration. So
you're hitting the big one three, thirteen, the first year of being a
teenager! Woohoo! Congratulations gentlemen. In many cultures turning
13 is recognized as the time a boy becomes a young man and is ready to
take on more responsibilities like managing a bank account, starting a
stock portfolio, doing his own laundry, mowing the lawn, cleaning the
pool, raking the cat litter, picking up dog poop and of course fine
tuning the art of negotiation. The latter will drive your parents nuts
until you’re about 25!
As I have told your parents it is very clear the three of you have
already made this transition from boys to young men. Your decision to
request donations from your friends in lieu of the traditional birthday
gifts for yourselves is proof you have already entered young adulthood.
You can be very proud of yourselves and your wonderful friends. I know
your parents are and I am too.
I cannot describe how incredibly touched and honored I am to be the
recipient of your generosity and that of your guests. Your donations to
The Ride to Defeat ALS on June 30 will go directly to funding the fight
against ALS through The ALS Association Golden West Chapter here in
California. The ALS Association focuses solely on ALS by funding
research, advocacy and patient and family services programs. If you, or
any of your friends enjoy cycling, Team Hot Dawg is always looking for
more riders.
ALS is a wicked disease and it is not prejudice. It affects men and
women of any age and any ethnicity. It is no fun having ALS. Everyday
brings new challenges for simple everyday tasks. I keep hoping that
someday soon there will be a break through in research that will produce
a treatment that will slow down or stop the progression. That hope is
strengthened by the magnanimous gesture you have made today. I miss
playing catch and swinging a bat and taking off from the free throw line
for a behind the back, three sixty slamma-jamma...well maybe not the
three sixty behind the back or the free throw line take off, but I was,
at one time, able to dunk. You are all an inspiration to me and to the
many people with ALS and their families that you will never meet, but
whose lives you will impact significantly.
Gentlemen I am so grateful to the three of you, your families and
your friends. Your support for me in the upcoming ride as a way to
celebrate your birthdays is truly beyond inspiring and your donations
will help find a way to hopefully make some progress to understanding
ALS. I am so very lucky to have such phenomenal young friends and to
live in an incredibly caring and supportive community like Lafayette.
I hope to see many more great ball games this season and in many years to come. Keep your chin to the wind and NEVER GIVE UP!
Happy, happy birthday. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Your friend,
Matt Chaney
(Typed by toe on an iPad)
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