2009 Tournament Champions, Team Berlin Police & FireOn Sunday, August 23, 2009, we held our 7th Annual softball tournament benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in memory of my mother, Theresa Gigliotti. My mom was the most giving and loving person I have ever known. She would take people in or give the shirt off her back to someone in need. She always put others before herself. On March 2, 2003 the world I knew was taken from me.
My mom passed away from lung cancer which had metastasized to her brain and liver. For a year and a half she lived life to the fullest despite her diagnosis. I tried to give her whatever she wanted. Unfortunately I couldn’t give her the healthy life she needed to be here today. We decided to host a softball benefit in her honor in 2003 shortly after she passed away. At the time, the only foundation I really knew for cancer was Susan G. Komen. Then one day I saw a little girl on Oprah named Alex Scott. I called my wife and told her I found the foundation in which we would be holding the tournament in honor of the very next year.
My mom loved kids and what better way to keep her spirit alive then by helping a cause which benefits the lives of children. This young girl touched my soul! She reminded me of my mom but at a different age. She had the short hair, fragile limbs and a heart of gold! So in August 2004 we held our 2nd softball benefit in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, with all proceeds going to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Sadly, right before our benefit, Alex passed away. Since that time, we have become friends with Liz and Jay Scott, as well as their three boys - we consider them part of our family. I tell them all the time, now I have two angels watching over me, one is my mom and one is Alex. We have seen the foundation grow so much over the years, it is amazing that this one little girl has touched so many lives. I know this to be the truth since she has touched our lives forever.
I honestly believe that people come into your life for a reason and Alex was definitely a blessing to ours. Ever since I saw Alex we have been holding annual softball benefits in memory of my mom along with other fundraisers with all the proceeds going to her foundation. Last year the softball benefit took place in South Ardmore Park and our team, Team Theresa, won the championship! This year we beat our goal by raising over $6,000 regardless of mother nature having to change our date. What a fun-filled day complete with clowns, a moon bounce, food, music, softball and of course, Alex’s Lemonade!
2009 Team AlexWe would like to thank everyone for supporting such a great cause which is near & dear to our hearts and hope everyone looks out for our 8th annual softball benefit in August 2010!.
- Albert & Natalie Gigliotti
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1 comments:
Theresa was the best mother-in-law a girl could ask for. She took me in and treated me like her own. She was a true mom to me. Albert is truely an image of his mom. I couldn't ask for a better husband. He does what he does, not for recognition of any kind, he just truely enjoys helping others. To those of you who knew her knows what she is saying up above and for those of you who didn't get the honor, his mom is smiling down saying "That's my son, that's my Albert".
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has become part of our family. And Alex is an inspiration to us. And I know if things were different and Theresa was still here, she would be right beside us holding a stand. We truely support this cause which we hold near and dear to our hearts. And we hope you will continue to support us in the fight against childhood cancer until one day there is a cure.
Thanks, Natalie Gigliotti
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