Gracie Goes to Market and Gives a Big, Fat Check

On April 28 I was so proud to be a part of the check presentation from Stater Bros.' Have a Heart, Save a Heart fundraiser to the American Heart/the American Stroke Association.  I was the association's for 2011, and it was an honor.

We went to the East Yucca Valley Stater Bros. store. This store sold the most "hearts" in all of California.  Stater Bros. charity raised $304,566.00 in all.
 
It was a long drive to get there.  I was so excited, and all I was hoping for was that there was a big giant check like you see sometimes on TV. When we finally got there, they had a large area of the store decorated, and just as I had hoped a big, giant check!  It was so funny. My mom and I laughed.
 
One of the executives, George Frahm, talked about the Stater Bros. charity,  and Shawn Casey from the American Heart/the American Stroke Association spoke about all of the research they do to help people like me. 
 
They had my mom and I speak.  My mom thanked everyone for being there and told a little about my story. Then it was my turn to speak.  I had something written down and just wanted  to say a big thank you to all of the people in the East Yucca Valley Stater Bros. store for selling so many hearts. I am also thankful to everyone at the local store for working so hard, too.  

I also told them that my mom shops at Stater Bros. and we have a refrigerator full of their food. Everyone cheered at that, including all of the men in suits! 
 
I was in a lot of pictures and even got to pose with the big check!  Everyone was so nice.  They gave me a framed picture of my poster that was in the stores and a Stater Bros. teddy bear and hat. 
 
I felt so good knowing people were inspired by my story and worked so hard to sell the hearts.  It really shows that they have big hearts themselves.  A lot of $1 hearts can add up to make a big difference. I know what ever the charity is, I will always try to give that dollar.  At the event, James Lee, the president of markets and CEO of Stater Bros. said a quote from Margaret Meade. I had to look it up when I got home. It really made a lot of sense to me.  
  
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
 
I want to be that citizen. I want to help bring good change to the world.
 
Gracie