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Alumni Fall Newsletter 2014

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Welcome, UGA Miracle Alumni!Thank you for opening the first newsletter of the 2014-2015 Miracle year. We are honored to serve you in our 20th year on campus and are deeply grateful for your continual commitment to this outstanding organization.

Together we’ve been championing our families, supporting our hospital, and engag-ing our campus for 20 years. This year, UGA Miracle is dedicated to celebrating that. We are proud to let this year’s theme of “Glory, Glory” ring throughout every fiber of our organization.

Glory, Glory celebrates “their,” “our,” and “your” story. Together we will continue pour-ing compassion into their story, the families treated at Children’s and their tremen-dous staff that perform miracles every day. We will continue celebrating our story and the two decades of history made by passionate Miracle Makers like yourself. Finally, we will celebrate your story, the personal story of every Miracle Maker whose impact propels this organization to greater heights every day.

As UGA Miracle alumni, your story is unique and invaluable. Every ounce of passion that you poured into this organization throughout your time at UGA allows us to stand a bit taller, much wiser, a whole lot prouder. We are a product of those who molded us, mentored us, paved the path before us. Each day we are deeply humbled to follow in your footsteps.

Glory, Glory to an incredible 20th year, together!

For The Kids,The Alumni Connection

Executive Board 2014

Ryan GarrahanExecutive Director

Izzy ZuckerInternal Director

Lucy DabneyCommunity Outreach

Co-Chair

R.L. BellBusiness Relations

Co- Chair

Maggie FeaginBusiness Relations

Co-Chair

Amanda TurnerCampus Relations

Director

Ellis LaneExternal Director

Erin MillerFinance Director

Mackenzie Ryals Marketing Director

Mary Katherine Hall Fundraising Co-Chair

Becca BrownFundraising Co-Chair

Pearce LaneFamily Relations

Co-Chair

Miller SingletonFamily Relations

Co-Chair

Alex ReineckeCommunity Outreach

Co-Chair

Katie GoldsteinMedia Co-Chair

Catie FoleyMedia Co-Chair

Alexa CrowPublic Relations Chair

Amy JonesEntertainment Chair

Becca BrownFundraising Co-Chair

Lanie HymanHospital Relations

Co-Chair

Landon BentleyMorale Co-Chair

Haley HuskinsMorale Co-Chair

Patrick YoungHospital Relations

Co-Chair

Colton Fowlkes Member Development

Co-Chair

Emily PhippsMember Development

Co-Chair

Allie BlinderRestaurant Relations

Chair

Meet our new Advisor

Rachel joined the UGA Miracle family this year after earning her undergraduate degree in His-tory at LSU. She is currently a grad student studying Collegiate Student Affairs here at the University of Georgia. We are extremely excited to welcome her this year!

Rachel Rhodes

With UGA Miracle gearing up for the start of the semester and committees getting started we couldn’t think of a better alumna than former Cmmunity Outreach member, Member Devel-opment member and Neon Color Group Captain, Jamie Gallagher! Jamie started off her journey at UGA on the Community Outreach committee during her freshman year and continued her involvement all the way through her senior year. Jamie was in the inaugural Color Group Captains after helping develop the idea. When asked about her UGA Miracle experience, Jamie said, “My favorite part of UGA Miracle was seeing other Miracle Mak-ers being incredible forces of good in the world.” After interning with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation at Children’s for two years throughout her time at Georgia, Jamie’s view of the hospital has evolved, as she was able to interact with the patients and families on a daily basis and truly experience the hospital.

Jamie is able to continue being FTK while working in Volunteer Services at the Egleston campus of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She is able to interact with patients and volunteers and even plan daily patient events. Jamie knows that “ working in the hospital, interacting with the patients, and witnessing amazing things will keep me inspired!” Even though she is keeping busy with her work in the hospital Jamie hopes to continue her involvement in UGA Miracle and is excited to provide guidance, mentorship, and inspiration to anyone in any level of involvement in UGA Miracle! Jamie’s advises us all to not wait in any part of our lives. Don’t wait to introduce yourself to the kids and families, get creative, and continue involvement as an alumnus. Jamie encourages us all that what we do really does matter and make a difference. Jamie’s continued involvement, radiant positive energy, and excitement to be a support system for anyone in need is what makes Jamie such a valued alumna. We love you, Jamie!

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“Working in the hospital, interacting with the patients, and witnessing amazing things will keep me inspired!”

Investing in other’s lives is nothing new to a Miracle Maker. We’re For The Kids-- and for each other-- every day. Now is the time to continue impacting this organization in a new and exciting way. Beginning this fall, UGA Miracle Alumni have the exciting opportunity to serve as an official Miracle Mentor. As a Mentor, you will be paired with an upperclassmen Miracle Maker based on mutual interests in career paths, UGA involvement, and a variety of other criteria. We understand that the real world is a busy place. That’s why we’ve created the easiest, most flexible program possible. We will provide all Mentors with the tools to guide you through the mento-ring process. Of course, you and your mentee have complete liberty on the structure of your relationship. Registration to become a Mentor will remain open through October 21. You will be notified of your mentee shortly after regis-tration closes, then the pair of you can get to connecting! Interested in becoming a Mentor? Send us an email at alum-ni.ugamiracle@gmail.com to get started!

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“ I’m pumped to be a part of the Miracle Mentor program be-cause I benefitted so much from my participation in UGA Mir-acle over the years, I’d love to be able to help create that same ex-perience with others. I can’t give too much money right now, so giving back through mentorship is the perfect way for me to “pay it forward.” Brian Baker, 2014

Miracle M

entorship Program

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“UGA Miracle had such a huge impact on my life throughout my college years and continues to have my heart even in my post-grad years. I am most looking forward to this mentorship program to keep the FTK-spirit alive and stay connected to the organization that I hold dear. Whether it’s sharing my experi-ence in UGA Miracle, encouraging students in their fundraising efforts, getting them pumped up for Dance Marathon, or offering advice on career choices and life after graduation, I want to be a mentor to students through all of it. I hope that other alumni will consider this opportunity and continue to give back to an organi-zation we all know and love.” Mary Beth Barfield, 2013

Every day our hospitals strive to provide the best pediatric care to our miracle kids. In 2013 alone Children’s had 860,849 patient visits, 37,995 surgical procedures and 144,254 inpatient days. Their unwavering dedication to the families and kids they serve contin-ues to encourage us to work even harder to fundraise for them. For our hospitals, last year, students and alumni came together to set the UGA record for raising the most money in a single year by a stu-dent-run organization. Even after graduation the love for the kids lives on and that’s what really sets our organization apart. The 4 million dollars that we have raised for Children’s over the past 19 years has saved numerous lives and inspired new students each year to start dancing FTK. In our 20th year, we ask that alumni continue to remember why you danced and to reflect on the impact that each of us had on the life of a child. Last year we ended with 45 incredible families and this year we have the privilege of serving 61 Miracle families. One of these new families is the Russell Family. On November 5th, 2012, 3 year old Jake Russell was diagnosed with an extremely rare bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. He has a tumor localized to the left of his tibia, but today he is cancer free! Aside from a scar on his left leg from surgery, its impossible to know that he had cancer. This disease usually affects patients severely, hampering their future abilities to move and play and without the dedication of Children’s, its possible that Jake’s current situation would be no different. The doctors at Children’s go above and beyond each day to ensure that these chil-dren will be able to return to being healthy and active and that’s why we keep fighting to raise more and more for them. Glory, Glory to every doctor, nurse, and staff at Children’s who has dedicated their life to making a difference in the life of a child.

THEIR story

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Dance Marathon’s theme was Hollywood in 2011 and we presented a check for over $220,000!10

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6789 In 2011 Pat Green performed as the benefit concert

held on Legion Field

UGA Miracle raised over $250,000 in 2010!

Kickoff in 2010 was held at Bad Manor and Dance Marathon hosted Pres-ident Michael Adams who spoke about his granddaughter’s experience at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

2010 held Sister Hazel as the benefit concert at the Classic Center

In 2009 We broke $300,000 as an organization and DM was held on the volleyball courts in Ramsey

Corey Smith performed as our benefit concert in 2009 on Legion Field!

2009 is the first year as UGA Miracle

In 2007 the funds raised went to purchase new transportation buses for rehab patients!

1996 is the first year of Dance Marathon at UGA

As many of you all know we are starting our 20th year as a campus organiza-tion! As we enter this amazing time, we want to take some time and reflect on our roots and recognize that we would have never gotten this far as an organization without our amazing alumni who paved the road before us. Here are 20 facts

about UGA Miracle throughout the years!

Cheers to the last 20 years...Glory Glory to

Dance Marathon 2014 broke the half a million dollar mark raising $507,205 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta!20

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16171819 UGA Miracle moves kickoff to Herty Field in 2014.

In 2013 UGA Miracle raised over $346,000 and actually surpassed $350,000 in later days due to late donations

40 families attended Dance Marathon 2013! Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

2013 led to the first year of the “Circle of Hope” Miracle Milestone – recog-nizing those who raise $1,000 or more!

“Inspiration Station” was introduced to Dance Marathon in 2013 to help keep people inspired

UGA Miracle hosted Ben Rector in a sold out benefit concert at the Georgia Theater in 2013

UGA Miracle raised over $320,000 in 2012 – a whole $101,000 increase year-over-year!

2012 marked the first year of the standing challenge with over 100 people participating

In 2012 we hosted Little Big Town at one of Georgia Theater’s first shows after reopening

UGA Miracle’s 2014 theme is “Glory Glory!” and we can’t wait to see where the roots our incredible alum laid will lead us this year!

OUR story

Kickoff Family DayMaking the Miracle

Chase Rice Benefit Concert

Braves for the Brave

November 12: Miracle at Mid-nightNovember 22: Miracle-wide Tailgate for UGA v Charleston SouthernDecember 7: Classic City Tour of Homes

January 25: Krispy Kreme Do-nut DareFebruary 21-22: Dance Mara-thon

“I love how the kickoff was infor-mative but invit-ing and entertaing at the same time-even Hairy Dawg was there!” - Logan Blignaut

“It combined two of my favorite things at one event: Miracle Kids and baseball games. Go Bravos” -Abby Chenault

“UGA Miracle packed the house for Chase Rice and it made for an incredible night at the GA Theater. It’s one of those conerts that I’ll never forget.” -Haley Huskins

“The program showed me that not only was I helping the brave families from children’s, but could also be changed for the better through the experience” -Julia Schamay

“Washington Farms is always the best way to start off fall, but this year it seemed even sweeter than normal. With 61 Miracle families, we can’t wait to watch Family Days continue to exceed expectations!”- Amanda Turner

Mailing Address:UGA Miracle Office153 Tate Student

CenterAthens, GA 30602

Phone Number:706-542-7962

Email:alumni.ugamiracle@gmail.com

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