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We Believe — Believe In Tomorrow provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families. We believe in keeping families together during a child’s medical crisis, and that the gentle cadence of normal family life has a powerful influence on the healing process.
One Year and Counting: The Believe In Tomorrow House on the Bay
Pull into the driveway at 617 Bayshore Drive, Unit 44 in Ocean City, Md., and you might think you’re arriving at a typical beach house. But stay awhile, walk out to the back deck, and read the enthusiastic “Thank Yous” scribbled in the guestbook, and you realize this house is anything but ordinary.
The bright orange Believe In Tomorrow front door is the first indication of the unique service the house provides. With the one-year anniversary of the property opening quickly approaching June 28, the colorful rooms and sunny back deck of the House on the Bay already speak volumes about the critically ill children and families who have come to renew their spirits here.
Thanks to the generous donation of the beach house in January 2008 from John and Karen Talbot of Ocean Pines, Md. – in addition to the support of stellar volunteers and the Ocean City community - the house has provided over 400 individual overnight accommodations to almost 100 individuals since its opening. And, since John Talbot is an army veteran, Believe In Tomorrow dedicated the House on the Bay to its Military Initiative, which prioritizes military families in respite properties.
Historic neighborhood oar lively square? Max’s Taphouse (on Broadway) oar (Nacho) Mama’s? More importantly: Fells Point oar Canton?
On September 21, two Behemoths of Baltimore’s more popular downtown neighborhoods will send their best boatmen on an epic journey along the high seas of the Potomac, The Chesapeake Bay, and Baltimore’s Waterfront. Max’s Taphouse on Broadway in Fells Point and Nacho Mama’s in Canton lend their owners and bartenders for Believe In Tomorrow's Baltimore Battle of the Paddles, crossing 166 miles of open water in five days.
The feat will end in Baltimore’s harbor and culminate in a party September 26, where all Battle of the Paddles enthusiasts are invited to welcome home the crew. The teams?
On Nacho Mama’s / Canton side of the harbor: Owner Patrick “Scunny” McCusker, Bartender “Delaware” Dave, and Sean Leahy
On Max’s Taphouse on Broadway / Fell’s Point side of the harbor: Owner Ron Furman, Bartender Jason Mislan, and Bartender Jessica Welsh
Dual fundraising goal: $100,000, to support the Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation
Already know whose side you’re on? Visit the fundraising pages and show your support for your favorite neighborhood bar. All proceeds go directly to Believe In Tomorrow’s respite and hospital facilities, and programs that support families with critically ill children.
Not sure who to support? Stay up-to-date on the latest event happenings, fund raising goals, and jabs (Scunny and Ron have already begun taunting each other) through our Facebook Group. Confirm your team, support today!
Refresh Your Palate in support of Believe In Tomorrow Ellicott City's Wine Bin hosts Believe In Tomorrow as its designated charity for the month of July. What better excuse to come and sip your favorite vintage? Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 - 8:00 PM AND Wednesday, July 29, 6:00 - 8:00 PM 8390 Main Street Refreshing Wine and Specialty Beer Tastings Live Music Cheeses and scrumptious crackers During the month of July, The Wine Bin will be donating 5 percent of all Wednesday sales to Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation.
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Noted fashion expert and style icon, Stacy London, from TLC’s “What Not to Wear”, will hit the orange carpet October 3, to host Believe In Tomorrow’s Believe. It’s Fashionable. Benefit and Auction. Stacy is a regular contributor on the “Today Show”, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Access Hollywood”. Come dressed to impress – or not - to support the programs of Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation.
The event will feature a live and silent auction, plus a few surprises with some guest stars! Mark your social calendar NOW – for Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, Belfast Manor, 15314 Priceville Road, Sparks, Md., 7 to 11 p.m.
Think your restaurant can live up to Stacy London’s taste? Join Harbor East’s Roy’s restaurant and Ellicott City’s Rumor Mill - in addition to other culinary establishments in Baltimore City and Baltimore County – in showcasing a menu item in the benefit’s dine-around.
The fashion forward event will offer local businesses several sponsorship opportunities, including gold, silver, bronze, and ad placement in the program booklet.
Believe In Tomorrow will also craft a VIP opportunity for you and two of your special clients, including a VIP meet and greet, photo opportunities on the orange carpet with Stacy, and potential local and national media exposure.
Call 410-744-1032 or email Meredith Isenberg for more information.
Better to be fashionably late – than fashion challenged. No matter what you’re wearing your attendance helps us continue to provide exceptional hospital and respite housing for families with critically ill children. Thank you in advance for your support.
Thanks, also for the CD case for Sarah and for all of the wonderful surprises in your [welcome] basket. We especially enjoyed the Girl Scout cookies. I can’t truly express what a gift such a break is to our family. We are rested and ready for the summer. Since Kayleen is home with me all summer, a wonderful break like the mountain resort is so healthy for us. Thank you for all of your hard work in helping families in difficult situations and for making it possible for our family to have a vacation. On the last day at Wisp, Kayleen and I rode the “Mountain Coaster” and the “Skylift” and it was thrilling for the both of us! Best Wishes for a great summer, The Blum family |
Respite Spotlight: The Campbells Find Freedom at the House on the Bay
It’s Friday morning, five days into the Campbell family’s week at the Believe In Tomorrow House on the Bay, and Jessica Campbell feels no need to rush out the door and jump into the wealth of activities offered to families who stay at Believe In Tomorrow beach respites. Instead, she explains, she’s taking the morning slowly.
Just yesterday, she floated down Frontiertown’s lazy river with her son, Tayshaun Campbell, propped on her lap to keep the water from getting into his central line. Before that, she brought Tayshaun, almost 3, to chase the waves at the beach and ride on a boat for his first time.
“If you want to hang out on the beach and not be bothered or if you want to be as busy as you can, you can do all the activities that they [Believe In Tomorrow] provide,” says Jessica.
A fresh, woody aroma and striking green leaves characterize the summer season at Wisp Resort, where the Believe In Tomorrow House on Wisp Mountain sits facing an all-encompassing panorama of Deep Creek lake in McHenry, Md. The house is booked through the summer with families needing on respite from the rigors and routine of medical treatments. At the resort, new and continuing activities offer these families a relaxing environment to have fun and reconnect.
Wondering what our families are up to this summer at Wisp?
- Expert Orvis guides can show parents and children where – and how – to fly fish.
- The end of ski season means mountain bikers can try their tires on over 15 miles of beginner friendly to expert downhill trails.
- Wisp will rent families and children a variety of kayaks for a flat-water tour of Deep Creek Lake. Pontoon tours are available too.
- The mountain coaster still zips families through the trees and down the mountain at breathless speeds. The chairlift becomes a scenic ride for those looking for a birds-eye view of the mountain.
- Off –road mountain buggy tours and Segways (with special terrain wheels) give families the chance to explore all parts of the mountain.
Air Force Thunderbirds Invite Families on Exclusive Meet and Greet
Believe In Tomorrow families experienced a private meet and greet with members of the Air Force Thunderbirds, 24 hours before the Ocean City Air Show was cancelled.
Believe In Tomorrow families enjoying a respite stay at the beach beat the rain and had the opportunity to meet members of the Air Force Thunderbirds. Operations Officer Lieutenant Colonel Derek Routt, Flight Surgeon Major Charla Quayle, Executive Officer Captain Petrina Hanson and Public Affairs Officer Captain Jason McCree, greeted families, took pictures and talked with families about their jobs. Thanks to the Thunderbirds and the OC Air Show for creating this unique opportunity for our families. See you next year – rain or shine!
Looking to win $10,000? We Can Show You How…
Transition from summer to fall with a new wad of cash in your pocket: Believe In Tomorrow is set to host two backwards raffle events (the last number called is the winner) full of food, drink, and competition. Read below to find out how to participate. Can’t make it to the event? Use one of the contacts below to learn how to purchase a ticket and we’ll notify you if you win!
Cash Bash: Baltimore residents can head to the Bay Café, September 10, in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood for a lively harbor-side party. Believe In Tomorrow will run several backwards raffles at the event, $100 a ticket, with proceeds directly benefiting the critically ill children and families of Believe In Tomorrow. Participants do not need to be present to win. Please contact Meredith Isenberg (410-744-1032) to buy a ticket.
Beach Bash: Those living in and around Ocean City, Md. know the annual end-of-summer-party, Beach Bash at Seacrets, is always full of energy and excitement. Guests sample some of the area’s finest fare while enjoying a silent auction, live music, drinking and dancing. All proceeds from the event, which culminates in the $10,000 backwards raffle, go directly to Believe In Tomorrow beach respite programs. Contact Wayne Littleton (410-723-2842) in Ocean City to find out how to contribute.
Volunteer of the Month: Father Ross, the Face Behind Believe In Tomorrow's House at St. Casimir
Father Ross Syracuse injected himself into the faith community at St. Casimir twelve years ago. With his arrival came an unexpected and unbelievably supportive presence for pediatric bone marrow transplant patients and families who come for treatment at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through Fr. Ross, Believe In Tomorrow families gained a new home and a lifelong friend.
“We wanted to offer it for a good work,” says Fr. Ross of the four row homes that once made up part of St. Casimir’s parish, first purchased in 1927. “Our intention was to reach out to the community; share our blessing.”
The row homes that gleam in pastel colors just beyond O’Donnell Square used to stand as a connected building for a convent that at one point housed 25 nuns. When Fr. Ross arrived to the parish, the building stood vacant and in disrepair. The parish used it for storage and certain group meetings, but Fr. Ross saw its potential for much more.
The Children's House Gets New Carpeting Throughout.
Members of the Maryland and Northern Virginia Floorcovering Association visited The Believe In Tomorrow Children's House at Johns Hopkins Tuesday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 17, in a whirlwind effort to replace all of the carpeting in the house's fifteen rooms. The result: brand new carpeting - and a new ground to tread on - in a beautiful shade of blue. The Maryland and Northern Virginia Floorcovering Association also held its annual golf tournament on June 17, which raised thousands for Believe In Tomorrow programs. Thank you to the association for being outstanding contributors in the month of June.
Children's House Carpeters:
Contract Carpet Systems\Carpet One, Beltsville, MD, Kurt Zanelotti
Nash Floors Carpet One, Rockville, MD, Steve and Chris Nash
Commercial Carpet of America\Carpet One, Alexandria, VA, Daryl Reinke
Peerless Carpet One, Rick Gessner, Timonium, MD
Quality Carpet One, Shawn Bayat, Woodbridge, VA