ONE MILLION Pop Tabs Later...

Gabby and I had the privilege of spending the morning with the kiddos and staff at St. Pius Catholic School.  We celebrated their collection of ONE MILLION pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Indiana!  My Aunt Jeanine is a teacher at this school and started this pop tab drive in late 2008 in honor of Ellie.  As a result of collecting this many pop tabs they received a Ronald McDonald Show featuring Ronald himself!  All of the tabs were donated throughout the last year and a half in Ellie's name. 

The school was presented with an award for their collection of ONE MILLION tabs.  From the left:  the principal of the school, my Aunt Jeanine, Kelly from the RMH and Ronald himself. 

Now Gabby is not to keen of Ronald McDonald(or any person dressed up in funky clothes or costumes for that matter).  I know that it is her age as we are in the heart of the "mommy I am scared(of everything)" phase!  I know that one day she will realize how wonderful Ronald truly is!  Surprisingly, however, she did very well today at the school.  I think it was because we were A) in a crowd full of kids which took the attention off of Ronald and onto the new environment we were in and  B) the fact that Gabby loves(and by that I mean LOVES)other kids and was mesmerized by their presence and how they are "school kids" ya know!  She enjoyed sitting with Aunt Jeanine's class during the show and even more so loved going back to her classroom for some undivided attention from 15+ first graders! 

On another note, I love my Aunt Jeanine with all of my heart!  She is the real reason behind the success of the pop tab drive at St. Pius!  She set out with a goal to help others and remember Ellie at the same time.  Through her hard work, organization and extreme dedication she reached this goal.  I admire her so much!  She has been a huge role model for me in my life and I find myself striving to follow in her footsteps in so many aspects of my own life.  I could not be more proud to be her niece!    

Lastly, a writer for the "Criterion" was at the school this morning.  The Criterion is the name of the Catholic newspaper for our Archdiocese.  He interviewed my aunt and I about Ellie and the pop tab drive that she organized.  The story is going to be featured in an upcoming edition and we are so thrilled about this! 

I, along with my family, am living a dream that I had years ago...to carry on Ellie's spirit through giving back to people who so generously gave to us in our time of need. 

We Are So Blessed Beyond Belief!