Update on the ZAC ATTACK

There is such exciting news. The Drop In for "ZAC ATTACK IS BACK" was held and we reached our goal of $15,000. In fact, the donations that were made that night, took the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society donation to $15.939.00, a 106% of his goal. More good news continued to come in the mail and another group of checks for $825.00 have been sent to the Mid South Chapter to be registered for the ZAC ATTACK, taking his total to $16,764, taking this to 112%. There is an anticipated pledge of $500 that is still outstanding and that would be a true blessing for such a needy cause. Laura Newton, of the SEASIDE SIGNAL sent the article that she placed in her paper following Zac's arrival at Seaside, Oregon on July 28th. We also received a donation from Ruth, the wonderful woman that owns the UPS store in Marshfield, KS who went out of her way to get Zac his package when he was travelling through.. To top this off, she sent a generous donation and such a great note. There is no way that Zac and those of us who were involved with his "Sea to Shining Sea" ride can be the same persons that we were before this endeavor. The people that surrounded Zac with love, prayers and generosity cannot all be remembered and named. So many of these kind hearts were total strangers. Zac only had a few stories of being in danger or feeling unsafe but so many stories of tremendously big hearted people that assisted him throughout the ride.. And Aiken, SC.... this incredible city that you fall in love with your first visit, once again, reminds you how caring and generous this community is. There are not enough words to thank everyone from a mother and father's heart for the support of everyone. Zac is home for a short while and promises that he will get thank you notes out..... hmmmmmm.... he is trying but the progress is very slow. Zac is also looking forward to going to visit the students of Sunset Park Elementary when they are well situated in this school year and Ms. Cagle schedules that visit.... We think of all the people afflicted with blood related cancers and the brave battles that they fight. Their needs are also great. Thank you for helping Zac help in his way. God Bless everyone and God Bless America!

Thank you everyone, We are surpassing our Goal!

Update on our Drop In on Monday evening, August 4th at Newberry Hall in Aiken, SC. What a wonderful success......Thank you to the most wonderful core of friends who met at Malia's restaurant, a table of 9, Kim Sinclair, our leader, Becky Robbins, Kay Brohl, Brenda Shellhouse, Breigh Anne Shellhouse,Pat Collins, Paula Moore and Joy Albrecht. I was not in the mindset to ask anyone for any more support for ZAC and his ride because everyone was so very generous and caring for three months. However, Kim got everyone going, we met, we planned, and in one day, everything was planned... David Sachs at Newberry Hall generously accomodated us at his beautiful new and wonderfully air conditioned room for the event.. One email to Ed Girardeau and our DJ, music and sound system was onboard...I learned about the ease of evites from Kim... some were sent out... notes to most of our early donors were sent. Michael Gibbons at the Aiken Standard had a wonderful article run in the paper.... And the word was out while Zac and I were returning from Portland and Doug was holding down the fort...... We have no idea how many people would show up..... UNBELIEVABLE...........we had in excess of 150 people who opened up their generous hearts and came to show their love and support. There is no way to describe the "wonderfulness" of this community and especially each person who attended.... there were family friends, Zac's favorite middle school teacher, many who watched Zac grow up...... our CMI partners and a few staff, Zac's high school friends and their parents, and it goes on and on..Even Dr. Pierce who delivered Zac into this world! ..People who have touched Zac's life through the years and those that have now touched his life from this point on.... And the wonderful Mom and one of her sons from Clarks Hill, SC who ran into Zac in Virginia City, Montana and came home and researched it and called us to tell us he was doing well!. And a big thank you to Missy from Palmetto Package who ran her bar with another bartender.... Missy donated her services, all the very generous tips, and will also be donating part of her bar money... Missy has a son that is Zac's friend and once again, "wonderfulness" comes through.....thank you Ed Girardeau for your services... THE BIGGEST THANK YOU TO EVERYONE........... WE HAVE GONE OVER THE GOAL OF $15,000. Total of $15,104. There are still donations coming in www.active.com/donate/zacholford. However we have also received a generous pledge from Sports Plus and another gift from the heart, from Ruth, the wonderful lady who has the UPS store in Marshfield, KS, who made sure Zac got his needed package from me, went so out of her way to find Zac on the trail... and she sent a check! Despite all that goes on in this day and time, there is so much "wonderfulness" in all those around us.........THANK YOU.... Zac has been trying to organize all the ends of this trip and will write his own thank you.. But he is truly overwhelmed.....overwhelmed that his trip is completed safely and then truly overwhelmed by everyone who followed him, supported him and have given of their hearts and wallets for an amazing cause...the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And it does not stop here.... I have nothing to blog about anymore... except that we need to start a Call-A-Mom... It seemed like anywhere I called across America and needed to find Zac or send him something. No matter what it was, I would have to go online and start calling the unknown towns... And once I began the story about my son being out there needing something, anytime a MOM was answering the phone, she would immediately figure out how to help..... What a great resource that would be to Moms... if your child is somewhere out there.... have a Mom in the area to call.... that would be a perfect world... A thought and maybe a plan.... THANKS TO EVERYONE..... God bless you all.....And a very big thank you to all of you.. so many of you who have surprisingly followed this blog, and always checked up on Zac and his progress... That surprised us that so many cared.... I was surprised anyone read the blog! I have learned so much from Zac, America, and you all.... There are not enough "THANK YOU's". This is once again posted by ZAC's grateful Mom and Dad.......

Day 89-91 Spread the Word on the DROP IN!

Day 89 found us winging our way home to Aiken, SC. Zac continued to realize how long it has been since he left home... He was also amazed as to how quickly he returned home, in a matter of hours as opposed to days on the road. Zac has spent the past two days, sorting through his "stuff" from his trip and I have spent it on working on the fundraising Drop In to take Zac over his goal of $15,000. We are hoping that everyone will spread the word of the Drop IN for the ZAC ATTACK. This is to be held Monday, August 4th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Newberry Hall in downtown Aiken. There will be a $20 donation at the door for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Zac will share pictures and a very short version of his adventures on the road..... We appreciate all the help you can give us in sending the word out.. If there are any questions, please email holford49@aol.com and I will gladly reply. Thank you.. Thank you... Thank you for every one's support.
*posted by Zac's mom once again*