2009 was a huge year for the liz logelin foundation. with your help, we were able to help 35 families around the country who have lost their partners, spouses, moms or dads…
one of the main reasons we were so successful last year was because of the 5k and gala.
over $40,000 was raised over that weekend and hundreds of you from across the country came together to support these families.
the board members and volunteers of the liz logelin foundation cannot thank you enough for the support you have given us. we hope that you will continue to help us give hope to these families in need.
i’m excited to announce that the planning for this year’s events is well underway.
“celebration of hope” (as the gala will be known this year) will take place on friday september 17 (liz’s birthday)
and the “walk. run. hope 5k” will be saturday september 18, 2010.
we hope that you will consider attending one or both of these events.
for more information on each event or to find out how you can donate/sponsor these events please go here.
also, kristine lazar and the cbs 2 news here in los angeles did a follow up story on us and the foundation. check it out here.
finally, here are links to sponsors/donorsservice providers, and the names of individuals who donated items to the silent, live, and online auctions at the 2009 liz logelin foundation gala (please make sure to patronize their businesses):
K Kay Designs
Jason A. Cook Photography
Baby Love Designs
Impressive Windows & Interiors, LLC
Garden of Weedin’
Rustica of Nisswa, MN
David Fleck/FCGM Marketing
Midnight Market, Hopkins
Forgotten and Found
Repeat Products
Sew Sarah
Stationary Shop
Creative Cakes by Alyssa
and individual donors:
Arlene Tharne
Mary Taylor
Elizabeth & Julie Gay
Jennifer Silvera
Jennifer Gadient
Lisa Villa Snelling
Debra Haigh
Rebecca Grothe
Charlie & Mary Aydt
Jeffra Gay
Debbie Mirau
Gayle Cortez-McKinney
Sara Shoberg
David Laurion
Robert Henry
Dan & LeAnn Dow
Anthony Downs
Amanda Rettke
Maleeda & Kevin Holmes
Abigail Carter
McCubbin-Jones Family
Alice Miller
Bev Logelin
Amy Lipovac
Camryn Manheim
Candee Goodman
Christine Janty
Christi Hawk
Jackie Gulbranson
Jillian Bennett
Matt Sammons
Michele Hetland
Nicole Kofoed
Seth Green
Whitney Smith
Mark Rose
50 Comments
I wish I was able to attend the gala or 5k. I hope you’ll have online bidding this year again.
I’m going to try and get some friends together here in the UK to do the 5k run, I’d love to make it to the gala but it’s a little too far away!
wish i could make it, have one in norcal.
Damn! I didnt need to cry this early Matt! The CBS Story was beautifully done.
Our 2 girls share the same name and I have followed your story from early on. You are doing such a wonderful job raising that little girl!!
I also wish I was able to participate in person in the gala event. Btw, we miss your posts so much.
I’m really looking forward to the 5K – my 6-year-old son is really excited about it as well. Thanks for sharing the info so early, so we can plan ahead!
Dearest Matt,
Have you taken a look at this post? Have you stopped to see HOW MANY PEOPLE and COMPANIES are on there?
You did that.
Liz did that.
(and all those involved in the LLF of course)
That’s got to just blow your mind away. (as you miss her like crazy, I’m sure)
The whole world was meant to know her.
(ps – an update withOUT some gratuitous piks of that lady of yours… tisk tisk. Just sayin. lol)
That is amazing how much was raised and how many others you have helped! Rock on!
ah that list is amazing!
I have followed you for so long… and been supportive of your foundation to the best of my ability. I never in a million years thought a close family member might need me to send her the link to your application.
My brother-in-law committed suicide on Monday. Between the two of them, he and my sister had four children (one together).
Thank you for seeing a need and attempting to fill it with this wonderful tribute to Liz.
I wish I lived closer!
we’ll be there with bells and whistles! i CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!! and at Solera no less …major fabulousity! Props to Rachel on that one.
love to you 3 from us 4
I am truly in awe of the way you have survived one of the worst things a person can imagine and used it to inspire such amazing hope in so many people. The LLF foundation provides support and encouragement to people who need it most, as do you, just through your story. I am honored to have been a reader of your story for quite a while, and I will be proud to be a contributor to the foundation this year!
What a beautiful video. You’re are doing an amazing job.
So amazing, so insipiring.
I enjoyed the updated bios on the LLF site for the Board of Directors, it’s nice to read about those who are involved – what an impressive group you have assembled!!
I was also happy to see the title of your book… Two Kisses for Maddy… how perfect. Cannot wait for it to hit the shelves. Continued best wishes to all of you, and your work for this awesome organization!
No matter how many times I read/hear about how all This started, I get teary eyed.
And it wasn’t over seeing Paul Magers again!
Great video! You’re doing great things and ensuring Liz’s memory will live on for your daughter. Maddy will so appreciate all you’re doing one day.
Wow, what a list. How wonderful.
Great news story as well. You give a lot of good insight, and it’s great the things that you’re trying to do to help out others.
What a phenomenal list of sponsors. I wish I could attend the gala or 5k
The news video left a knot in my throat. You are so AMAZING, Maddie and Liz are both so incredibly lucky to have you.
I’m from Brazil and I’m watching the Rachel Ray show that you participate with Madeleine.
Now I’ll follow your blog.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Hello Matt, I’m from São Paulo – Brazil and learned of his story watching Rachael Ray’s program I was very touched by your story, and how you knew to be so generous and so much to teach people about what happened. Wish you and your daughter all the luck, may God fill you with blessings always.
I love how you and everyone else has worked SO hard to help others in the name of Liz. Amazing! Maddy will be SO VERY PROUD to see her moms legacy.
I am watching Rachael Ray’s program on Home & Health
Absolutely inspiring and encouraging story. What is even more amazing is the fact that you have decided to give back to the world a hand to help and motivate! Thank you for reminding us the importance of life, courage and good will! And appreciate it in the toughest moments! 
Best wishes to both of you!
My story is very similar to yours, I was widowed when my children were 6 years and eight months. I think the pain makes us grow up too fast and mostly full of strength for our children. I send you a hug from Hermosillo, sonora Mexico
video was absolutely beautifully done. what a great memoir for Maddy and so awesome that the legacy for Liz continues to thrive and flourish.
you’re very inspiring and caring.
thanks for sharing,
L
I’m mexican, I saw your story in TV, and my english is no very good, but I like to say you my admiration. Your little and preciuos baby is a treasure.
God bless you both..
I’ll visit you every day.
Sunny
I came across this quite by accident, LLF is in the top 200 (currently at 149), so I just posted this to my twitter account and trying to help by spreading the word here too. If you have a twitter account, please copy and RT this: I just voted for Liz Logelin Foundation to win $250k on Chase Community Giving! #chasegiving http://bit.ly/bMqwPR
Hi Matt I´m from Chile i recently discover your web site by the show “Rachael Ray” i just saw on tv and it´s surprise me your life story. I´m so happy about how your life moved on after all your been through. the images of you and your daughter are so beautiful and i think it´s because your wife is on them somehow and i´m sure she´s very happy for both of you… keep going and keep having a great life.. thanks for sharing your your history
hugs to both of you
bye
You should be so proud. The news story update has me in tears and the title of your book couldn’t be more perfect.
im just getting home from a night of bartending and while completely exhausted I had to watch this CBS video. I immediately started balling like a baby. Madeline is growing so fast! Stunning does not do her justice. She is an unbelievably happy child. The very end of the video really hit me. Maddy’s huge cheesey smile made smile from ear to ear.
Happy early Father’s Day Matt. You have done an amazing job.
The Chase Community Giveaway on FaceBook is on again, and 200 community based charities may receive grants from Chase based on the number of votes. If you are on Facebook, become a fan of the Chase Community Giveaway page and vote for LLF – give the gala a leg up this year!
Oh – Forgot to mention the dollar amounts for the Facebook Chase Community Giving Campaign:
One charity will receive $250k
4 runners-up will receive $100k
195 others will receive $20k ($20k!!! Half of what was raised at the LLF Gala last year)
Voting ends July 12.
LLF has 17 votes now. The top vote getter has only 1723 votes. If half the visitors to this blog would vote… Well, imagine the possibilities.
Happy Father’s Day Matt!
All incredible news. Happy Father’s Day, Matt!!
Happy Fathers Day!
Matt, I loved the video. Maddy is growing so quickly and you are doing a great job with her. I hope you have an amazing Father’s Day!!
Matt
Wishing you a Happy Father’s Day!!!!
Yay!! I am so excited you will be doing the 5k again. Will it be timed this year?
Just sent in our registration forms…the PIT and I will be at the walk for sure and I’ll be at the gala IF I get a date, ticket, and a sitter (do I have to wear a dress? If so, Ill need a dress too)
Take care! Happy Father’s Day a smidge late:)
Grace,
I looked up on FB the site you said and this is what came up.
DEAFHOPE for Chase Community Giving!
Is this correct?
I really enjoyed watching the new update on you guys! She is just getting so big – I have followed your story since the beginning.
I think what you are doing to help others who have lost loved ones – it is simply a fantastic act on your part.
Grace,
I found it and voted.
Congratulations on all the wonderful things the LLF foundation is doing!
What great work you are doing.
You should be so proud!
Much love to everyone at LLF,
Sarah
Matt, I know that you have a very large following can you please post this to your page as a favor for me. Alot of people may have been following this child, Lance Armstrong and many other celeb’s have been twitting about her. I would appreicate it if you would post this for your readers.
I would like to make a suggestion to all the Care Page Readers, As you can see Ellie has had over 1,674,435 visitors to her book. An amazing amount of people have been following this beautiful and amazing girl for the past two years. I know many of us can not attend the Celebration of Life for Ellie but would like to.
A couple of weeks ago a prayer time was set and people across the world prayed for Ellie all at the same time. I would like to suggest something for all of us that have been touched by Ellie. I would love to suggest a balloon release on this Saturday. I know that she will be having a mass said for her at 11:00. I would like to have people all over the world release a balloon to Ellie at exacately 1:00 p.m. That would be 1:00 p.m. EDT. So you would have to adjust your time according to where you live. I live in CDT so I would release my balloon at 12:00.
Can you imagine 1,000,000 balloons being released to honor a girl who was so strong and who touched so many lives? Please pass this message on. Paste it to your Facebook Accounts, Twitter it, anyway you can get the message out. Let’s show Ellie and the world how much she touched our lives.
Amy, Tim and Grace, my heart breaks for you because of your loss but you will now have a little angel watching out for you.
Remember 1:00 EDT release a White Balloon (or Pink) in honor of Ellie Potvin.
Rosann Horist
rhorist@aol.com
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Wow,what can you say about that awesome news clip? I was so moved by it.Matt you are truly inspiring to all parents,not just single parents,all parents.You show the true meaning of spending quality time with your child.Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your life with us,it is a true gift and blessing.
Hi Matt.
My name is Ana. I´m From Brazil and saw you this week on Rachel Ray´s TV Show (Brazil is always behind schedule with Tv Shows).
I´ve decided to come here and write you just to say hi.
I LoVEd what you´re doing for Maddy and not losing hope was the best choice you made.
=)
Ana
Where is you??? WHat’s with being gone from the blog so long? Miss hearing about your adventures.
Well done, Matt and the LLF team! What you are doing to help families is truly inspiring. Keep up the good work!
hoping for an update one of these days. glad you are happy and doing so well, but i miss your blog!
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[...] Last year’s events raised over $40,000 for the Liz Logelin Foundation helping families across the country who have recently lost a spouse, partner, moms and dads. [...]