Backstretch Donation

Happy Summer!! I hope that all of your summers' are going wonderful! I've had a very busy summer so far... Relay for Life and Double T have kept me busy for quite a while! So busy, in fact, (as many of you probably know) that we are not having a backyard carnival this summer. We've had six very successful events in the past, raising a combined amount of about $8,000. I've really missed having the carnival this year though, and I really hope it'll be back for it's 7th Annual event next summer.

Thank you so much to all of you who donated to my Emmy's Angels team for the Arlington Heights Relay for Life this past June 27. As most of you know, Emmy was a six-year-old friend of mine who passed away from cancer this past August. It meant a lot to me to be able to raise $500 on my own for the American Cancer Society (double the amount I raised last year!) and contribute to the at least $3,000 our team raised. We earned the title of "bronze team" for reaching the $2,500 mark. Hopefully next year we'll be able to do it again!

These past couple of days have been crazy for me and AHC, as I've been putting together a very large donation for the backstretch kids of Arlington Racetrack. These children live in what's called the "backstretch" of Arlington Racetrack while their parents work with the horses for half the year, and spend the other half of the year at another track in Cicero, Illinois. They grow up in very extreme poverty. I've had the pleasure of working with the kids through a non-profit day camp for them called "Kids on Track". I volunteer with "mis anaranjados" every Monday and Tuesday. It's been a very rewarding experience.

Through the amazing Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago and their awesome "Backpacks for the Backstretch" program, AHC donated seven Target bags full of school supplies, about 50 stuffed animals, about 200 new books and 250 hygiene kits for these awesome, in-need children. Thanks to the Volunteer Center and their wonderful program for these kids, each and every one of them will receive a brand new backpack full of school supplies and more for their upcoming school year. Below are pictures with me and my friend Alex with our giant donation:





I also have a request...

DOUBLE T IS IN DESPERATE NEED
OF HYGIENE SUPPLIES.

After our donation to the backstretch kids, we have been scraped dry of hygiene supplies for our hygiene kits (which is good-- we just need more supplies now to help more people!). The community has been wonderful in the past, donating enough supplies to Double T so that we could donate 2,535 hygiene kits and 600 hygiene supplies to people in need around the GLOBE. Below is a list of supplies we need. Please, please, PLEASE e-mail me at abby@abbyhorancharities.org if you can help us out. While monetary donations are great, we especially appreciate supply donations. You can help us by donating...

Toothbrushes***
Trial-size toothpaste tubes***
Quart-sized zip-lock bags***
Floss
Sugar-free gum
Shampoo (trial-size)
Conditioner (trial-size)
Soap
Lip balm/ointment
Body lotion
Tissue (pocket-sized only)
Mouthwash
Deodorant
Hand wipes

***= we are completely out of these items at this time and REALLY need some!!

In the past many local dentists have stepped up and been of great assistance to Double T. If you can please ask your dentist to make a donation.

We especially need donations FAST as we have just received an urgent order for 100 hygiene kits!!

Thank you so much! Have an awesome summer!
Abby Horan