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Charitable suggestion:
Donate your fair premium to Maggie
posted 08/18/01
Dear Editor
The San Juan County Fair is always great, and I have an idea to make it even greater this year. Wouldn’t it be nice if all of the ribbon winners donated their premium money to the fund for Maggie Shaw’s equestrian leg? "Goodness Grows" and goodness shows, this is something that makes living in a small community special, helping our neighbors.
I have never met Maggie, but she sure seems like a worthwhile investment for my fair money. I consider my premium money to be like money found in an old pair of jeans, money that I can do something special with. Having the ribbons makes me fell good; giving the money to a good cause, will makes me feels even better. This year I will keep the ribbons and donate the money. That way I get to be a double winner.
My premium money won’t make much of a dent in what Maggie needs, but with the help of my friends and neighbors, we can make a difference.
I would appreciate it if you would publish this letter anonymously, because it is just an idea, anybody could have had it. The real credit belongs to the people who take action on it and donate their premiums. As of this date I have spoken to one editor who is willing to comply with my request, I hope that you will join them.
Maggie's grandma says thanks
Dear Editor,
posted 08/05/01
I am Maggie's grandma Patti and I want to thank you for all your support and prayers. Kari Boe, Maggie's aunt has started a fundraiser over here in Stanwood, where we reside and Maggie spends much of time riding and showing.
This weekend at the Stanwood Fair, so far we have raised approximately $1300. We are raffling saddles, miscellaneous tack items, and many other items. In two weeks the saddles and miscellaneous items will be coming to the San Juan County Fair. The drawing will be held sometime in September in Friday Harbor.
Everybody was asking about Maggie at the fair today and I told them next year Maggie will be back riding high in the saddle. To me Maggie is an angel in disguise.
Grandma Patti
For The Love Of Horses
Dear Editor,
posted 08/02/01
14-year-old Maggie Shaw needs the help of our community. Since September of 1996, Maggie has been fighting a serious battle with cancer at Children's Hospital in Seattle. On Wednesday, August 1, her right leg was amputated above the knee. She will be undergoing weeks of physical therapy as she opens a new chapter in her life with the help of an artificial leg. Although her insurance covers most of her hospital costs and a prosthetic leg, they will not pay for a specialized leg that will allow her to ride competitively in performance and western gaming. We are trying to raise $40,000 to provide an equestrian leg for Maggie.
Maggie's love for horses has given her confidence during times of uncertainty, strength when her body was to weak to walk and the joy of triumph as the miracle of life surprised her with a blue ribbon. She first rode "Lead Line" in the Stanwood Fair in1989 when she was only 3. Since that time she has only missed one fair in 1997 as she was undergoing the radiation therapy at the University of Washington. Since that time she has had ten surgeries in her knee, calf and ankle. Shortly after each surgery she would first ask her surgeon with a hopeful plea, "when can I ride"? And once again, like countless times before, this brave little girl would begin the process of exercising and stretching her scarred undersized leg with the goal of riding her frisky little pony, "Ajax". Last year Maggie's determination allowed her to represent her county at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup.
Currently Maggie is President of her 4-H club, "The Bits and Spurs" and an honor roll student at Friday Harbor Middle School. She works tirelessly on community fund raising efforts and was awarded her school's "shining star award" for those efforts.
On the day she received the sad news that her life was at risk if her leg was not removed, she was not concerned of the loss of her leg but for the possibility of the loss of riding horses competitively. Her doctors reassured her that she could ride again with the help of a special leg and a lot of hard work. Please help us make Maggie's dream come true for the love of horses!
William Shaw
Sharon Kivisto
and
Matt Pranger
can be reached:
phone:
360.378.3748
fax:
360.378.9748
by e-mail:
news@sanjuanislander.com
by mail:
San Juan Islander
PO Box 1118
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA