C O N N O R ' S  J A M M I N'  F U N D R A I S E R

Photos from the event

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Hello everyone!! 

   WOW, WOW, WOW... If you were there, then you already know what an incredibly beautiful day and night Connor's Jammin' Fundraiser turned out to be.  We cannot put into words how it felt to be surrounded by so many friends and family showering us with so much love and support.  While we were getting by and handling everything autism related, the funds raised from this day should cover most autism related costs for almost a whole year!  We were looking at the event as whatever money we raise is more than we have now so it's a win/win situation no matter what.  We had no idea that it would be this successful and the outcome far exceeded any hopes we had.

   Musically, we do not think this event could ever be outdone!  So many of the areas most talented musicians came out and donated their precious time, talents,  played some killin' tunes, sang their hearts out, and jammed for the love and betterment of Connor and our family.  We do not know if you can even imagine how that felt for us... we were uplifted, held, surrounded, touched, moved, and loved by everyone who walked in the door.  Thank you to everyone who gave of themselves!!  The energy was so positive that even being there for 13 hours, we never felt tired, just energized and thankful.

   We have to especially say thank you to the owners and staff of Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle (Steve, Paddy, and Mac are the owners) for holding this fundraiser at their wonderful establishment for our benefit.  Steve Nugent and Christina Zeender, thank you for your coming up with the idea, your tireless planning and for asking us if you could hold this fundraiser for our beautiful son, Connor!  We feel so honored you would think of us and want to lend a helping hand and create a way for others to do so if they wished.  Thank you to the staff who worked that day and night for making sure everyone had a fabulous time, ate delicious food, and drank in celebration.  Thank you, Gabby Molinolo and Brandon Combs for hosting a kids room during the event where the little ones could play, make things, snack, and have a great time!  Thank you to the people who donated their tips during the daytime hours to Connor: Christina Zeender, Steve Nugent, Aimee Ovando, Kristine Berry, and Alan Twohig.  And an extra special thank you to Christina Zeender... without Christina this event wouldn't have come into existence.  She was the nucleus of the whole fundraiser, from it's inception, through the planning, and execution.  Her motivation was simply goodness.  She had never even met Kathleen or Connor and just decided that we must have extra costs and this event could possibly help us out.  Christina is a beautiful and remarkable human being... and so we also found a true friend in the making of this event.

   Thank you to Blues Webb, drummer extraordinaire, who stayed the entire event, played, and set up his drum kit for everyone to use.  Thank you to Bernie Hairston for kicking off the day on the bass.  Thank you to Gary Smallwood who kicked off the day playing guitar.  Thank you to Bryan Fox who tore it up on vocals, brought microphones, cables, and stands.  Thank you Josh Burgess for tirelessly running sound, donating a guitar rig for people to play on, and dealing with the countless gear and personnel change.  Thank you to Rawn who drove all the way from NYC to set up the bass rig that everyone used... then he packed it up and drove back the same night.  Thank you to all of the musicians who lent their talents... both scheduled and unscheduled.  Some played entire sets (The Blackbyrds, Texas Chainsaw Horns, Downtown w/Jeff Watson, The MaryAnn Redmond Band, Carl Filipiak, Radio Caroline, and Spur Of The Moment) and others stopped through and played a tune or two, keeping the energy going.  Honestly there are too many musicians to name, but thank you to ALL the musicians that came through and shared their talents.  You are all amazing!!

   Thank you to Paul Reed Smith who so generously donated a beautiful PRS Custom SE Electric Guitar for a raffle!!  Everyone wanted this guitar!!  Shep Jefreys is the lucky winner and will be united with it soon.  Thank you to all of the artists, businesses, family and friends who donated the most amazing items for the Silent Auction!!  Thank you to the businesses and artists who donated the greatest raffle prizes, ever!!  A very special thank you to everyone who participated in the Silent Auction, purchased raffle tickets, and/or made donations, thereby donating funds to Connor.  Please check the Flanagan's website in the near future for a full listing of auction winners and pictures of the event: www.flannagansharpandfiddle.com .

   Thank you to Jeni Blessman, Sesha, and Angie Phillips for working the door and selling raffle tickets and Autism Awareness necklaces from beginning to end.  Thank you to our neighbors who supported this event and always have a smile for our boy when we are out walking; to Connor's 1st teacher, Kristal Bonalewicz, who came out... we were blessed to have you as Connor's teacher; to Kim Berry and Stephanie Mirales who both work with Connor in our home... you have worked wonders; to the support group members who are our lifeline and great, new friends; to Michelle Nelson and Tianne Wheat who are wonderful friends who also worked on our behalf to sell raffle tickets for the guitar, solicit silent auction items, and raffle prizes... you are so good to us; to Butch & Sheree Pounsberry, the lovely family who own/run Connor's daycare... thank you for coming out in a show of support and for taking such great care of our little man after school; to Connor's current teachers and therapists at Huntingtown Elementary School... thank you for caring, for all the work you do with our son to help him learn, and also for donating to the ASA; to Grandma MaryAnne for taking good care of Connor while he was at the event; to Savta Judi, Opa Eric, Grandpa Danny, Grandma MaryAlice, and Grandpa Murphy for the love & countless things that you do for us; to our family members, the Cannon's, Hess', Garcia's, Kappert's & Williams' for the love & support; to Elissa Malloy who drove straight here from work in NJ!; to Godfather Bill Britz who stepped off a plane from Germany and came right over; and to all of our friends who came through... you made us feel love and support like we have never felt before.  Our life is blessed because of all of you...

   If we forgot to mention any individual act of kindess, please accept our genuine apology, and know that you are all a part of the whole... 

   So, we are lucky, blessed, thankful and happy to have such wonderful people in our lives and want all of you to know that while we never have taken that for granted, this event was a SERIOUS reminder of all that we have to be thankful for.  It was also a good reminder for us to give of ourselves to help others, because when everyone pitches in it can really help someone out in a huge way.

With love and gratitude,

Benjie, Kathleen, & Connor