Our family has always been grateful for all that is done for us.  We have such an amazing support system of family and friends.   People that have laughed and cried with us.  Karina is only 5 years old but her spirit seems to have been around forever and she has touched so many hearts.  We feel that Karina is bigger than anything we can imagine.  Sometimes I feel that she is closer to God than we are. With all of her issues, and all of her pain and difficulties, she smiles throughout.  Her strength overcomes.  She has taught us an overwhelming sense of love, strength, hope, acceptance.  We have learned about a whole new world called special needs, handicapped, disabled....etc.  Along with that we have had the opportunity to meet a whole new group of wonderful people, parents of other kids like Karina, who share our fears and hopes, who completely understand.  I love having these people around us.  Our "guardian angels", who help guide us down the right path.  The path of optimism, and hope, who without their love and support, I might still be under the covers, crying myself to sleep. 

The Beta Unit comes through again!!

Our friends at South Brunswick School’s BETA UNIT have come through for us again in a major way!! They had their annual flower sale and again donated the proceeds to Karina. We feel so honored that these kids care about our Karina so much and continue to have this fundraiser.  The fundraiser has grown each year and it is so wonderful to hear how the kids get so enthusiastic about selling the roses and wanting to help our family. So much work and preparation goes into this event.  Our utter thanks to the South Brunswick School and especially Mrs. Antonia Edwards, who is responsible for making this fundraiser happen every year. The money will be added to help subsidize the cost of our mobility van, and we hope that we will be able to have the van by Christmas! :-)

We are so grateful. xoxo

Love,

The Colon family

Karina's Fundraiser Update

I don’t know just how my aunt does it, but she managed to yet again, pull off another amazing event.  Karina’s Tricky Tray wine tasting/ fundraiser was held on Friday, Oct. 21 at LaNeve’s in Haledon.  The turnout was sooo much more than we had expected.  We were expecting a possibility of 200 people in the beginning of the week, then by Wednesday it was more like 250-275, then by Friday’s event the final count was around 326!!!! We were also overwhelmed by the amount of donations that were provided by local businesses, family, friends, and friends of friends.  The Knights of Columbus, St. Michael’s parish Paterson chapter, sponsored the event.  We were hoping to raise money to help offset the cost of a mobility van for Karina and I am sure we reached our goal because that night, the state chapter of the Knights announced that they will be matching what we raised that night!!! Unbelievable!!  It was a magical night, although bittersweet also because the star of the event had just came home from the hospital earlier that day. We had really wanted her to be there but it was just not possible, so we had friends bring their video equip. to the tricky tray so that we could Skype in Karina from home.  Everyone was so happy to see her!  Our family has the BEST support system in the world.  We are fortunate to have so many caring people in our lives that truly love our girl and constantly pray and think about her and, who year after year, return for this special event.  Especially this year, with so many people whose homes were flooded and lost so much because of Hurricane Irene, still came out and supported us.  For that, I say thank you soo very much and God Bless you!

Knights of Columbus Hosts a Fundraiser for Karina

Karina Alessia Colón is a three and a half year old who lives in Bloomingdale, NJ with her mother Melissa, father Fernando, and older sister Arianna. She was born with Mitochondrial Disease, a life-threatening condition that weakens muscles, induces seizures and causes both respiratory issues and developmental delay.

Karina has outgrown her transportation car seat. It is no longer safe for her to travel in her family’s vehicle. The Knights of Columbus are assisting the Colón family by organizing a fundraiser for their daughter. All proceeds go toward the purchase of a mobility van—a vehicle Karina’s modified stroller can be wheeled into, making the need for a specialty car seat obsolete. Karina would be able to travel safely, without worry of possible injury.

We are hosting a Wine Tasting & Tricky Tray Fundraiser in Karina’s honor on Friday, October 21^st, 2011 at La Neve’s Restaurant & Catering. However, if you are unable to attend the event, but would still like to place a donation, please send contributions to:

Love Karina Fund
33 Hillside Drive
Bloomingdale, NJ 07403

CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO:
Love Karina Fund
(Please do not send cash)

QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL:
Lina Russo @ 973-595-9210

Here is a video of how the ramp system works with the van.

Karina's Therapy Room!

Karina's room is finally complete and it is just perfect for her. We want to thank EVERYONE again for helping us get the room finished. Your generous time and donations has given Karina a beautiful room where she can receive therapy, medical treatments and a good nights sleep!

We want to share the following pictures below with everyone to show you how your generosity helped transform a small dining room into a beautiful therapy room Karina can enjoy for years to come.

Therapy room is almost ready!!

We've had ongoing construction at our house for the last couple months.  Things have been a little hectic. But this will all be worth it in the long run!!! Demolition, construction, painting, insulation (we discovered that we had almost no insulation in this house!! Brrr!! Our family would like to thank some important people because without their efforts, this would never be possible:  Our heartfelt thanks to Cilento Construction for volunteering their services in the construction of Karina's therapy room and our "new" dining room, and also to my good friend El and her husband Fil for all of their organizing and hooking us up with the right people.  To my family and friends for the organizing of benefit dinners to raise money for supplies to make this all happen, to the owners who donated their restaurants--Pasquale at Piazza Margherita, and Sal La Rosa at La Neve's. Also to the Knights of Columbus (St. Michael's Chapter) and the Fidelians of America for their generous donations to our family because without your donations, this would never be possible.  Last but not least the BETA Unit of S.Brunswick school for their Halloween fundraiser now the 3rd year in a row!!

Our family cannot thank all of you enough for all your generosity, support, and caring, and always thinking of Karina. I want everyone to know that all of your time and donations help us immensely and we so appreciate everything that is done for us.

We anticipate completion by Christmas.  Here are a few of the pictures of Karina's therapy room from the beginning.

Front of house breezeway entrance (before)

old dining room

Down to the beams!

Fernando putting insulation in

Nice!

more pics to come!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Karina turned 3 years old on September 5th.  We had a party for her at a local park with our family, friends, and all her therapists from Early Intervention. I wanted to have her therapists there to kind of say good bye to her, since Karina has "aged out" of E.I. and will be attending a special school for her therapies.  It was bittersweet for them, and for me, because they are all very special to us.  Some of them have been with us since Karina was 6 months old, when all this was new and scary for me.  They have seen Karina grow from a very underweight, and constantly crying baby to an attentive, beautiful, non-fussy and very tall little girl.  We have come a long way together and I know I will keep in touch with them.   It was a beautiful, sunny day.  Karina was such a good girl.  The main event:  A birthday cake fit for a princess.  It was a Minnie Mouse cake, from Caladra's Bakery in Fairfield, NJ.  They did a BEAUTIFUL job!!!  Arianna helped to blow out her candles and even made a wish for her.  Karina's smile says it all.  We know she enjoyed her day.  Thank you, to everyone who made the day so special for her.  Every birthday is a milestone.  We take nothing for granted.