Pediatric Cancer Research Grant in Memory of Payton Wright
Please assist me in developing a special pediatric cancer research grant in the memory of Payton Wright (5 year old girl in Sarasota who passed away May 29th from brain cancer). This beautiful little girl battled twelve tough months against this dreaded disease which eventually took her life. Help me raise money for a grant in Payton Wright's honor for pediatric cancer research, so no other little child has to endure what Payton and her family have had to.
DONATIONS of ANY amount are accepted- please make check payable to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and mail to:
Tandem Enterprises
7810 Mathern Court
Bradenton, FL 34202
On May 10th, I was truly honored to receive the “Manatee Person of the Year” Award from the students of Nolan Middle School in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The students of the Gifted Program at Nolan Middle had a special evening called the “Night of the Notables” whereby each student in the gifted program at the school had to select someone they admired, living or dead, and study their life and their accomplishments. Some students studied past world leaders, famous athletes, architects, writers, business leaders, inventors, etc. It was a fun night as it took place right in the Nolan Middle School cafeteria. The night was organized by Dr. Novello, Head of the gifted program at Nolan Middle School. Dr. Novello was a very kind and intelligent woman who reminded me of my days as a middle school teacher back in New Jersey. 
Mother’s Day is always special as you reflect back on your childhood and all you learned under the guidance and direction of your mom. I certainly would like to toast every mother out there for health and happiness and success in their lives. My day included an evening bash at my home with all the coaches of the various high schools that have earned the right to play for the Florida High School State Baseball Championships. Each year, my wife and I have the pleasure to host a celebration in honor of the participants of the state tournament since the games were awarded to the City of Sarasota and are played at Ed Smith Stadium (Spring Training Home of the Cincinnati Reds).
Spencer Ross, voice of the New York Knicks, and his wife joined Lorraine and me at the Film Festival.
I had a blast being a guest speaker at an event honoring high school football coach, Mike Dowling. Coach Dowling has coached 28 years at Cardinal Mooney High School located in Sarasota County. Over 400 people were in attendance to congratulate Caoch Dowling on his accomplishments and to wish him well in retirement. Several former players spoke as well as Congressman from the Sarasota District, Vern Buchanan. 
I was proud to help raise over $10,000 for the V Foundation through the support of the Lakewood Ranch Community. A new development of homes is being constructed in Lakewood Ranch in a community called The Lake Club. The ten model homes in this development welcomed donations to the V Foundation over a two month period. I also was a guest speaker at one of the homes in which I spoke passionately about the V Foundation and my late buddy, Jim Valvano and encouragd people to give whatever they could to the cause of finding a cure for cancer. Thru the generous support of this community we raised over $10,000 - way to go Lakewood Ranch! I am so proud to be a part of this community!
"The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those that need us the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Clubs serve over 6,200 boys and girls between the ages of six and eighteen at nine sites throughout Sarasota County. Dick Vitale and his friends and associates created the “Dick Vitale Sports Night” dinner to raise funds to benefit the children of Sarasota County. It was Dick’s dream at the inception of this event to eventually raise $1,000,000. After six years, the event raised over $1,100,000 and Dick’s dream for the kids became a reality. The funds were used to build a state of the art, 38,000 square foot Boys & Girls Club! In honor of Dick’s love and concern for the children, the board of directors and staff dedicated the “Dick Vitale Health and Fitness Center” in the new facility. 
Nick Valvano, Chief Executive Officer, V Foundation:
I had so much fun as approximately 40 kids from the Sarasota area, ranging in ages from 4 to 6 years old, joined me for breakfast at my favorite place, The Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch. The children, along with their teachers, piled into their school bus for a mini field trip to meet "Yours Truly" and enjoy some of the delicious pancakes, eggs and fruit from The Broken Egg. The kids also enjoyed a special behind-the-scenes tour of the busy happenings inside a restaurant and how it operates in the kitchen. In fact, each kid had a blast as they helped the cooks when they helped to crack several eggs in the kitchen! The kids were all very well-mannered and had a great time. But, honestly, I think I had more fun than all of them combined. 
The Sarasota Area Sports Alliance (SASA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support area sports events and programs, including providing scholarship opportunities to high school athletes and financially needy youth. On November 11, 2006, SASA presented Dick Vitale with its Sports Person of the Year award for his tireless effort in promoting youth sports and supporting efforts to bring events to the Sarasota area. For more information on the event and award, click here.