Mrs.Gardner

The following post was written by Trina. She has worked with Charlotte at Thomas Edison Charter School in the Special Education Department. The two of them have also successfully run the last 4 book fairs for the school. She has been instrumental in planning and organizing all of the events for Lotte's of Love fundraising and has put everything together for the Pool Party.

I HATE MATH! Just hearing the word Math males me cringe and get uncomfortable. Charlotte on the other hand LOVES Math! We worked together at Thomas Edison Charter School in the Special Ed Department. She taught 2 different classes of Middle School and Junior High Math. There were several times when I would be in her classroom preparing other lessons while she taught and I would have to giggle at her excitement over a concept she was teaching. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone talk about Math with such Joy. I know, it sounds odd. But she truly loves Math and she excels at helping others understand it.

She and I were talking the other day about how we ended up as teachers. It was never planned for her. In fact, she changed her major in school because she DIDN’T want to teach. Then she came to Thomas Edison and started volunteering in the classrooms, which evolved into substituting. She was so good with the students that they offered her a position in the Special Ed. Suddenly she was a teacher and a darn good one! I think that Char has found her calling. She has so much patience and really cares for the kids. I think one of the hardest things for her with this battle with cancer, is knowing that she has to take a year off from teaching. I’m sure in her mind, she feels that the cancer has won in a way because it takes her away from what she loves. But what Char doesn’t realize is that this Cancer battle is her chance to teach SO many others!

I know that in the 6 months since she found out she had cancer, her friends and family have learned many lessons from Charlotte. Her patience with the billing and medical run around she was put through, he courage when facing surgery, her overall positive attitude about EVERYTHING. She is one of the most positive people I know. I feel so blessed to have become her friend and feel that she is an anchor for so many people. It is about time that the rest of us get a chance to serve her for once instead of the other way around.

I don’t have ANY pics of Charlotte teaching. So I figured I’d give you dum dum dum daaaaaa

My running Partner

 The following post is written by Jill Williams a mother of two beautiful princesses and a handsome prince and they all have smiles that will melt your heart.  She is also the organizer of the 5k and 1 mile Fun Run which will be held October 15th in Cache Valley.

Jill and Charlotte running in the Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run 2010

Like Charlotte, I’m a runner. But I wouldn’t be half the runner I am if it wasn’t for Char. She’s helped me train for 2 half marathons and a full marathon, and I always look forward to running with her. Her pace is steady, and she pushes me, especially on hills, which seem to be her favorite type of terrain. I hope Charlotte gets well soon. I want my running partner back!

Just like her running, Charlotte is steady in her friendships. She doesn’t get overly excited about situations that some of us tend to blow out of proportion. She helps people to focus on the important things in life, to climb that next hill, achieve that next goal. And by example, she teaches us how critical it is to support each other through the trying times in life. The large group of friends organizing all these benefits for her do it because we know she would do the same for any of us if we were in that situation.

We have Lottes of Love for Charlotte!

Jill

We invite all of her family, friends, neighbors, and members of the Cache Valley community to attend a Lottes of Love Benefit 5k/1M on October 15, where proceeds will go towards helping Charlotte with her medical expenses. The races will start and end at Thomas Edison Charter School (where Charlotte works in the Special Education department) in Nibley, Utah.

Prizes will be given to the top 3 places in each race, as well as through a random drawing for all participants. Entry fee for the 5k is $25 and all entrants will receive a t-shirt, and start time for the race will be 9 am. The cost of the 1 mile is $10 without a t-shirt or $15 with a t-shirt, and families can register for $40 (families registration does not include t-shirts, but t-shirts may be purchased by registrants for $5 each), and start time is 10 am. Parents who want to run in the 5k may also assist their children with the 1 mile run at no additional cost. All entry fees will increase by $5 on October 1.

Click here for more information about the 5k and Fun Run and for information about how to register. 

Download Registration Form here

I remember the day we met.....

The following is a guest post written by Karen Kelly. She is a mother of five beautiful children and has been instrumental in the organization of benefit events for Lotte's of Love, including making many of the yummy treats at the bake sale table during the Yard Sale we held in early July.

I remember the day we met.....

Photo by Karen Kelly

My husband and I and our three kids had just moved into a Blackhawk Condo. Boxes were everywhere. We knew no one. There was a knock at the door one afternoon. I was confused at who it could be. I opened the door to a woman about my age. She apologized for bothering me and said they had just returned from camping and she was wondering if I had some milk she could borrow for her 18 month old little boy. She told me they lived just through the parking lot from us. She told me her name was Charlotte. And we have been friends ever since.

She has been there for me in every aspect of my life. When I feel my world is crashing down around me. Her arms are there to hold me up. When great things come about for myself or my family, her smile is there to cheer me on. We are often asked if we are sisters and I want to wrap my arms around her and yell, "Yes!" because she is that close to my heart.

Charlotte is strong. Strong body. Strong and clear mind. Strong values. Strong feelings for what she is passionate about. Strong in the face of adversity, from many angles. Strong, raw love for her family, especially her two young sons. Strong faith. When I am with her I pull from her strength. Whether we are playing at the park or on a late night shopping trip. She makes me strive to be better, hold on for longer and trust that the Lord will pick up the rest. I find peace in her testimony and love listening to her speak of the things she knows are true.

I can't believe she has cancer. I just can't grasp it. Not Charlotte!! When I look at her I think, "No. Please, no." I am still in denial some days. Then she talks of the treatments she will need and the side effects and I am sick to my stomach. A quiet acceptance comes over me. And I know it is real. She does have cancer. It's very serious. I could lose her. And I don't think I can handle that right now. Not ever. We are supposed to grow old together and go on Cruises when we are in our sixties. (Well, not a Cruise. We both get motion sickness.) But a mountain retreat somewhere.......

All my love and sincerity,

Karen

Sponsor Lotte's of Love!

We are working hard to make sure that all of the money donated to Lotte's of Love goes to help Charlotte pay for her ongoing cancer related medical expenses and treatments.  One way that you can help us do this is to become  a sponsor either as a business or an individual.

Based on your interest, there are several levels of sponsorship available, each having their own unique
benefits to suit your needs. All types of contributions are welcome including donations of goods or
services in helping to support Lotte's of Love.

By becoming a sponsor of Lotte's of Love today, you can realize these many great benefits:

• Exposure of your brand/business at our events and in our advertisements
• Recognition for supporting a community member in need and building goodwill in the community
• Additional exposure to your business through sponsor links at http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com

There a few ways to do this:

Gold Level

$1000+

• Recognition in largest format on T-shirts and event programs
• Recognition of your Sponsorship in our radio ads and newspaper announcements
• Your Banner displayed at our events*
• Sponsor Link at http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com

Silver Level

$500-$999

• Name or Logo in medium font on T-Shirts and event programs
• Your Banner displayed at our events*
• Sponsor Link at http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com

Bronze

$100-$499

• Name or Logo in small font on T-Shirts and event programs
• Sponsor Link at http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com 

Friends

$25-$99

• Recognition on http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com
• Name listed on event programs

*You or your company must provide a Banner for us to display

Send an email to lottesoflove@gmail.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor