Last year in July Myself, my fiance, and our once roommate Jeff hosted a birthday party for the 3 of us. Our birthdays are about 2 weeks apart and we thought it was a good way to see all of our friends- maybe even justify some travel for a few. Jeff has a great amount of friends from out of state who all agreed to come. Because of their travel commitment we wanted to make it an extra special party and decided to host our very first seafood boil! It was the most fun! There was only one thing missing…
Just days before the party 5andwhine Meagan‘s grandfather – Paul Snyder (also goes by “Red“) passed away from his long 4 year battle with ALS – Lou Gehrigs Disease. Instead of partying all through the night Meagan was off to send her dear sweet grandfather off on his next journey. “Paw-Paw” was the sweetest and kindest man. Our entire hometown knew him it feels. Meagan’s family has always had a way of making me feel like a part of theirs- even her grandparents. I had worked some awesome fundraisers with him – and he never let me forget how great he thought I was.
Not quite a year later our best friend Niki (who lives here in Pittsburgh) lost her father to this same damned disease and with not nearly the notice as his disease progressed quickly. Although I was just a bit too late on my transition to Pittsburgh in time to meet him – people talk about George Wolford like he was the man, the father, the husband, and the friend of your dreams. A man through and through- he could build, fix, fish, and party.
This disease has quickly and cruelly taken the patriarchs of my best friends families. Because of this- it has taken pieces of our hearts that we fight to full-fill each year by raising money for the ALS foundation of Western PA. We stormed through our fundraising goal of $2, 000 and proudly raised $7, 45o dollars last year! We want to the world to know how angry we are- and how sad we are, and that if in ANY way we can help another family we will do our best to help.
So this year I dedicated the new annual seafood boil party to our team goal. We hosted a Seafood Boil for a cause! We had the same concept of the year before but asked our friends for a suggested donation of $10.00- or whatever they could afford to contribute! Here are a few photos from our amazing evening (and YAY! Carolyn made it from all the way across the state!)
The Walk to Defeat ALS is in Pittsburgh on Saturday, August 22, at Point State Park at 10 a.m. Our team, Paul Snyder and The Wolford Warriors, is walking in memory of George B. Wolford (who passed away on November 11, 2014), and Paul (Red) Snyder (who passed away in June 17, 2014). It’s a tremendous honor to recognize these two men on this day, and we ask that you join our team, and consider making a donation to fund research, advocacy, and programs for those in pain.
Last year with support of our friends and family we grew a walk team of 50+ and fund raised $7, 450.00 ! This year it is our goal to surpass this with 55 walkers on a goal of $8,000.00 !
You can join our team and donate online
http://webwpawv.alsa.org/goto/snyderandwolford
Or donate via direct mail by writing a check out to The ALS Association and mailing it to :
ALS Assoc- Western PA Chapter
ATTN: Kristi Marsili
416 Lincoln Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15029
We hope that you will join us to celebrate George Wolford and Paul (Red) Snyder, and help us fight this painful disease.
Sincerely,
George and Paul’s Family and Friends
***Please note our $600 raised at the party has not yet been deposited into the team site!
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