Thank you Letter from President Wendy Vaniglia

To all who volunteered or participated in our 1st Annual Gift of Candi 'Ride for Life' Poker Run;


Without you our 'Ride for Life' would not have been such a wonderful success. We are overwhelmed with your generosity of time, resources and friendship.

We raised over $2100, as well as much need awareness of organ donor familiea nd the mission of The Gift of Candi Foundation.

Your love and generosity gives me hope that the dream of assisting organ donor families in their hour of giving and grieving is finally coming true. We continue to hope that soon we will be able to help connect these donor families with their recipients, thus completing the miracle of the Gift of Life.

You are Priceless!

With heartfelt gratitude and love,

Wendy Vaniglia

President, The Gift of Candi Foundation

PS - To view more photos/album pages from this event, please click on the slideshow top right.

'Ride for Life' Map

A map will be provided at registration, however, if you want a copy now, you may click on the image and print at home.

Please feel free to contact me @ (561) 747-7542 or cmcwendyv@aol.com if you have any question. Thanks again for helping us help the precious families whose loved donated his/her organs to give life to others.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Just 2 weeks to go!!!

Happy New Year All!

Just 2 weeks from today we will proudly host our 1st Annual 'Ride for Life' Poker Run benefiting The Gift of Candi Foundation for organ donor families. Our goal is two-fold; to assist organ donor families in need after giving the precious Gift of Life and, to create a website where Donor Families and Recipients can connect and thus complete the circle of the Gift of Life. The possibility of human contact lifts the process of donation and transplantation above the mechanics of medicine and surgery and makes it a true sharing of life, gratitude, and love. The Gift of Candi Foundation is the only organization offering this process.

I am so appreciative of all of you who have offered to assist and/or participate. Without you, our 'Ride for Life' would not be a success. I am very excited to announce that Southern Bike Night TV has offered to film our event! http://southernbikenight.com/MAINPAGE.html

We are still in need a few more volunteers to assist with the poker run. Auction items are always appreciated - because our auction is live, you will have the opportunity to submit a paragraph about your donation and/or company. Of course, your charitable contributions to The Gift of Candi Foundation are always appreciated. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me - wendy@thegiftofcandi.com or phone: 561-747-7542

Wishing You Health, Love and Life in 2009.

Fondly,
Wendy Vaniglia,
Founder and Donor Mom
The Gift of Candi Foundation, Inc

Run List - Choose North or South Start - Saturday Jan. 17th, 2009 'Ride for Life' Poker Run

NORTH START/REGISTRATION (11 AM - 1 PM)

Treasure Coast Harley-Davidson - 4967 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart 772-287-3871

POKER STOPS:

Horsefeather's Sports & Spokes - 10314 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound 772-546-4445

Ralph's Stand UP Bar - 113 Center St, Jupiter 561-746-6812


Oasis (formerly Blondie's Bar & Grill) - 10160 W. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter 561-743-3300

Island Jack's Patio Bar & Grill - 4449 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach 561-687-2122

Tiki Waterfront Sea Grill - 200 East 13th St, Riviera Beach 561-845-5532

Last Bike in @ 4 PM - Live Auction / Prizes / Music / Food / Fun


SOUTH START/REGISTRATION (11 AM - 1 PM)

Harley-Davidson of Palm Beach - 2955 45th St, West Palm Beach *561) 659-4131

POKER STOPS:

Island Jack's Patio Bar & Grill - 4449 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach (561) 687-2122

Oasis (formerly Blondie's Bar & Grill) - 10160 W. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter (561) 743-3300

Horsefeather's Sports & Spokes - 10314 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound (772) 546-4445

Ralph's Stand UP Bar - 113 Center St, Jupiter (561) 746-6812

TIKI Waterfront Sea Grill - 200 East 13th St, Riviera Beach (561) 845-5532

Last Bike in at 4 PM - Live Auction / Prizes / Music / Food / Fun

Race Day Contact - Ed Peters 561-512-1087

A Precious Gift

Jungle George from Texas notices I am stopping at every airbrush stand. “Are you going to get your body painted he asks?” Oh No, I exclaim! I've looked at hundreds of samples during Daytona Beach Bike Week, but I’m unable find the perfect butterfly for the back of my leather vest. I can't quite describe what I would like, but my heart is searching for a very special one. Jungle George knows the perfect man for the job and introduces me to Todd. I want this butterfly to cover the back of my vest, my favorite color is purple; the rest I'll leave up to Todd. I don't mention why I want this butterfly.

As I turn away, I noticed the helmets and bikes Todd has at his stand; skulls and crossbones, demons and scary images and I wonder “What have I done?” Oh well, I can always purchase another vest. We head off to listen to a band and await my butterfly. Half an hour later, we return to see what Todd has created. As soon as I see my vest I burst into tears. All the tough bikers around me disappear, and Todd stammers, "I'm sorry…. I didn't bring the right paints for something like this."

“Oh no, these are happy tears!” I felt as though Todd had looked into my soul and painted an artist's rendering of my heart. The reason for my tears was that Todd had added tiny pink hearts and shining stars on the soft purple butterfly he had created. The instant I saw the hearts I thought of the sweet Irish man I met who had received the gift of my daughter Candi's heart when she died at age 13. Todd did not know that pink was Candi's favorite color. The sparkling stars reminded me of a saying I carry in my heart, "Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down on us."

Todd won't accept any money for painting this beautiful, perfect butterfly. Later in the week he tells me that he and his family of 6 were homeless when they arrived in Daytona, but yesterday someone had come along and given him a place to live. Todd tells me, “It’s because of the butterfly.”

The butterfly symbolizes to me new life for the four people who received Candi’s heart, liver and kidneys and the comfort and healing I feel knowing her short life is still helping others.