The Brian Morden Foundation tries to provide a bit of cheer to patients, families, and staff during various holidays. Brian Baskets hold all kinds of goodies depending on the holiday. They may include toys, books, crayons, snacks, cards, stamps, phone cards, journals, hand cream, stuffed animals, Issy bears, Valentines, Easter eggs filled with quotations, joke and riddle booklets, gas cards, and more.

Brian Baskets were first delivered to:

• Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh in memory of Brian

Due in large part to the generosity of friends of the Brian Morden Foundation we have extended our outreach to:

• Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger in honor of Erin Dodson
• Penn State Children’s Hospital at Hershey in honor of DJ Noel
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in honor of Kiera Chirdon
• Ronald McDonald Houses in Pittsburgh and Hershey
• Other childhood cancer patients and their families

Special thanks to:

• Becky Klingeman (shopper extraordinaire) and her daughter Macey who are always there to help
• The McKnights who always see that we have munchies and whatever else we need while we’re filling the baskets
• George Sackandy who often delivers baskets to Pittsburgh
• Kim and Dave Aboud who see that the Geisinger baskets get to the right people
• Mrs. Morden’s elementary students who have been helping this year (2004-2005) by making joke and riddle books, recording stories and poems, and who have used their creativity to do even more. Many students and their families joined the BMF in October for a Halloween Treat Bag Party for a Make a Difference Day project.
• Parents of Mrs. Morden’s students who have donated wonderful treats including books, candy, toys, and more
• AAHS Interact Club and Student Council
• Grammy and Poppop Suckling who remember Brian in so many ways including through their generous donations to Brian Baskets
• Nick and his mother Shelly who have participated in filling baskets for every holiday so far this school year (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter)
• Dee, Maureen, Tom, Karen, Melanie, Sharon, Jerry, Sara and so many other friends of Brian and his family
• Pastor Romig and First Lutheran Church for lending the church to us
• The Railroader’s Memorial Museum and Scott Cessna, executive director for their generous donation of Memorial Hall

Synergy Quintet in Altoona
March 14-18, 2005
sponsored by an AASD Educator in Residence Grant

The Brian Morden Foundation would like to thank the Synergy Quintet (Jon, Bobby, Chris, Mark, and Nick) Larry and Kelly Detwiler, members of the AASD music department, all of the wonderful musicians (AASD and Hornitude!) and their parents, Interact Club members, the AASD, the Winder Family, AAHS, KJHS, and RJHS Music Parents, the McAuliffe Heights and Juniata lunch committees, friends of the Brian Morden Foundation, First Lutheran Church, Pastor Romig and the Temple Choir, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Hayes Large Architects, and fantastic audiences all week. Everyone worked together to make the Synergy Quintet visit and March 17th benefit concert an OVERWHELMING success.

Through donations, sale of merchandise, a monetary gift from the Synergy Quintet, and funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the Brian Morden Foundation received over $1,500.00 during the March 17th concert.

Thank you all for continuing to support our efforts in fighting back against childhood cancer.

Team GoldRibbon Ride
May 28, 2005

Fort Roberdeau
Sinking Valley, PA

Steve Seltzer, President of R & S PowerSports, Inc.forwarded the following email to the BMF after the ride.
John has graciously given us permission to post it.

From: John Thomas <ebonis@aol.com>
Reply-To: Blair Bicycle Club <bbc@blairbicycleclub.org>
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 17:08:17 -0400
To: Blair Bicycle Club <bbc@blairbicycleclub.org>
Subject: Re: [BBC] thank-you from Team Gold Ribbon

It was a rainy, miserable and cold ride. I think I only saw one raincoat. Most of us were not prepared for the early rain. By the end of the ride I was shakin and shiverin bad. I had flashbacks of when I got hyperthermia during adouble century I did a few years ago. It rained 75 percent of the 200 miles and never got over 50 degrees. Yesterday may have gotten to 53, I don’t know.But one thing I kept in the forefront of my mind during the ride was why we were doing the ride. Yeah I was cold and miserable but kids with cancer still have it in the morning and I would be warm and ready to ride again. I have lost several friends to cancer, young friends, and have a friend now that may battle it. That was the most important thing about the ride for me. Not the weather, not the tempature, or anything else. It was the reason we were riding.Having lost a brother at age 43 in March, I know that we can not take our health or lives for granted. Thanx for the opportunity to be unselfish.
john T
still da Bald Nubian monk

Third Annual BMF Scholarship Dinner
2005

You can help support future scholarships, childhood cancer research and/or gifts to the Oncology unit at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh through your purchase of a Tshirt,wristband, god ribbon, hoodie, jacket, pin, magnet and more. By wearing or using Brian’s T-shirts, pins, computer bags, etc. you wil also be helping to raise awareness of the need for more work to be done to find a cure for childhood cancer.

BMF Car Hop at the Greenwood Meadows
August 18, 2005
6-9 PM

Many thanks to:

Luke Sackandy for suggesting the Brian Morden Foundation as the recipient of the proceeds from the Greenwood Meadows 3rd annual benefit Car Hop

The Branda Family, owners of the Greenwood Meadows for giving back to their community through their Car Hops

Greenwood Meadows employees for their service with a smile on skates, having such awesome outfits, and donating their time

DJ “Mr. D” for donating his time and talents

Additional businesses (information to be posted)

Carolyn Donaldson, Doug Herendon, the Altoona Mirror and other media outlets for supporting the BMF

Becky and the rest of the Klingeman family for manning the BMF booth

AAHS Marching Band members and YOU for coming out to support the BMF