Light The Night 2013

[Smuckatelli]

It's official, the season has begun....

Tomas sent me on a guilt trip yesterday morning about waiting so long to kick off this season. He went live with this year's effort at noon yesterday. He would appreciate it if you would look at what he wanted to say next to the pictures on the site. If you think he can do a better message, let me know and he'll adjust it over the weekend.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/va/Frdrcksb13/TeamTomas

This will be his 7th walk since he was diagnosed in Sept 2007. He lead the walk last year with Walter Reed in DC so technically it is his 8th walk. I'm not sure when he is going to tire of this, it is inspiring to see an 11 year old with this much passion for something that he does not benefit from.

[Safetyhit]

Always good to hear that Tomas is back to normal and remaining healthy. Surely he gives priceless inspiration to many others out there who are just starting what was your incredibly frightening journey.

[SeriousStudent]

I'm in. Please tell Tomas he's always been an inspiration to us all.

[Smuckatelli]

Serious Student,

Tomas sends his thanks for donating again this year.

"It is a really great help"

[SeriousStudent]

Tomas really is an inspiration, and stays in my thoughts.

When things seem a bit hectic and stressful, I think of the example he sets. It is a pleasure to support his efforts, and I admire him a great deal.

You raise some great kids, Gunny! Maybe you and the Missus should publish a book on your secret methods? :)

[Safetyhit]

Not a big deal but I see the homepage appears not to have been updated since 5/17, has the walk taken place and the deadline to donate passed?

[Smuckatelli]

Not a big deal but I see the homepage appears not to have been updated since 5/17, has the walk taken place and the deadline to donate passed?

5/17 is when Tomas started pointing out that we are behind the curve, the page went live then.

The walk is on 19 October 2013, it is at the very bottom of the page. :)

[Smuckatelli]

Safety Hit, Tomas sends his thanks.;)

He started sweating bullets yesterday about the weather. Every time he schedules a Lemonade Stand; the weather doesn't cooperate. Now he's all over me trying to figure out new ways to get the word out.

[Smuckatelli]

Hey Doc (John from Pittsburgh), Tomas sends his thanks for your help. :)

[Smuckatelli]

Dave, Tomas sends his thanks. He also pointed out that the guys with the black rifles are again helping more than any other group. :)

[Smuckatelli]

Just under four weeks before Tomas leads the walk again. He has been busy:

https://www.facebook.com/paul.nichols.9638/media_set?set=a.10201665303620059.1073741826.1403506178&type=3

He still has a way to go to make his goal, any help is greatly appreciated by him.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/va/Frdrcksb13/tomas

[Smuckatelli]

Just under two weeks before Tomas kicks off the Fredericksburg walk. He mad a radio commercial for a local station; B 101.5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkFTkZXPos4

On the 15th he and his sister will be on a 'News Talk' show on 1230 WFVA. They will be joining in on the one hour conversation about Light The Night.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/va/Frdrcksb13/tomas

[Smuckatelli]

Tomas really likes the 'video' of the radio commercial. He came up with a weird...12 people looking at it by the end of the week. I think we could get more than 12. If you could like it and post your location, that would be appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkFTkZXPos4

[SeriousStudent]

Tomas - a bunch of people do care, and I am very glad that makes you happy.

In again, for the win.

[Smuckatelli]

Tomas - a bunch of people do care, and I am very glad that makes you happy.

In again, for the win.


Tomas sends his thanks for the double tap :)

[Smuckatelli]

Six days until Tomas leads us on his 7th Walk. If you are going to donate; now is a good time.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/va/Frdrcksb13/tomas

On Tuesday Tomas & Anna will be on a radio talk show from 08:00-09:00 EDT:

http://player.liquidcompass.net/WFVAAM

They spent 3 hours outside of a grocery store Friday after school, the attached picture is from that event. Lessons learned from that event:

"Lessons learned from the donation table at Giant: there are many people touched by blood cancer. There was a lot of talking, hugs, tears, and inspiration. There are so many stories that were shared, that need to be shared. Most of Team Tomas donation drives have been a 'drive by' people quickly donate and go on with their lives.

Today was different, people actually stopped and shared their lives when they realized that Tomas had leukemia and that he and his sister have been so active in fund raising. There is an employee at the store that was just diagnosed recently. His sister mentioned this and Tomas went in to check on the man, basically Tomas is living proof that you can survive. Once we finished all of us went in to talk to the man. A very humbling experience hanging outside of a grocery store. On a fund raising note; Tomas and Anna want to do at least 2 of these drives next year."

[SeriousStudent]

It's always a pleasure to help Team Tomas. I hope the oldest is doing well at college, and with her ROTC training.

[Smuckatelli]

Only 2 days left until Tomas leads the walk. He is at 67% of his goal.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/va/Frdrcksb13/tomas

I will be making some short youtube videos of the walk, this will include Tereza (GWU Midshipman) singing the anthem.

[Smuckatelli]

The Walk is complete. Tomas finished today with 79% of his goal, there will be some more added from tonight. It was a good year, this brings his total raised to over $55,000.00 since he was diagnosed with leukemia.

I filmed his sister singing the anthem, I couldn't do anything about the lighting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ELpSOAygD0