Kyle Snyder was a little boy who loved life, and ladybugs. Just three weeks shy of his second birthday when Kyle was diagnosed with Leukemia. He lost his life to the disease just eight months later.
In 2001, Kyle’s mother Sharon founded The Kisses for Kyle Foundation to honor Kyle’s memory, and to help local families in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs who are battling childhood cancer. Sharon and her team have worked tirelessly ever since to help alleviate the extra stresses of this devastating diagnosis, by providing financial assistance and special experiences for the families. They also provide gifts and donated items to comfort the entire family, including giving children specific items on their wish list for the holidays.
I met Sharon several years ago, and was instantly taken aback by her passion and her ability to keep Kyle’s memory alive. During our first conversation I learned that Kyle loved ladybugs. Sharon would always say that after his passing, ladybugs would appear around her, even at the craziest times and places. A couple of years later, a mutual friend and I held a fundraising vendor event with proceeds going to the foundation. At one point I found myself ogling a handbag at one of the vendor tables. And then I saw it. A ladybug was sitting on its handle. Chills ran through my body. I ran to tell Sharon that there was a ladybug sighting at the event – indoors, in late November. She just looked at me gently, smiled and calmly said, “Of course there is.” It is a story I have told multiple times that still gives me chills to this day.
Though I do not have as much time these days to help with Kisses for Kyle, I do what I can by spreading the word. Today I launched a Pear in honor of Sharon and Kisses for Kyle, in hopes of getting a sponsor to donate $1,000 to help local families with a child suffering from cancer.
Have you heard about Pearup.com yet? Pear is a new way to connect sponsors with organizations, groups and fundraisers, and events that are looking for sponsorship dollars. Take a quick look at this video and prepare to be impressed:
Anyone can create a Pear in an effort to find a local sponsor to raise funds for your cause or event. To get started, create a sponsorship page on Pear. Then invite your friends to join in too. The more people who join, the more money your group can earn toward apparel. If you are not part of a group but your child is, you can still participate on their behalf.
Here’s the link to the Pear I created in support of Kisses for Kyle. I’d love it if you would show us some support! https://www.pearup.com/kissesforkyle/
At Pear, they know that supporting local communities is not onnly good karma, it creates customer loyalty too. Right now, if you happen to live in the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Baltimore areas, your social network can help raise $1,000 or more toward custom apparel with a sponsorship from Johnsonville on Pear! Johnsonville began as a tiny Local Meat Market run by Ralph and Alice Stayer in 1945, who wanted to give people the highest-quality, best-tasting meat possible. Today they still use that very same philosophy as a 3rd generation, family owned company. Johnsonville is continuing their quest to help local communities by becoming a company sponsor on Pearup.com. Johnsonville will award $1,000 toward custom apparel. (The winner can keep whatever they earn, even if it’s not the full $1,000.) Qualifying groups include: school (K-12) groups or events, sports teams, leagues or non-school event, not-for-profit or cause-based groups, and even college events. Since Johnsonville is a family-owned business, family reunion groups may even qualify to receive a special ‘gift’ from Johnsonville at the completion of their Pears.
So, now that you know more about Pear, will you be creating one? Or perhaps you have already started a Pear? If so, please provide the link below.
Now go ahead and Pear Up!
Disclosure: Many thanks to Global Influence for sponsoring this post. For more information on the Johnsonville sponsorship on Pear, go to: http://bit.ly/1uoxMQr. As always, all opinions expressed here are 100% my own.
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