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Wednesday, December 05, 2001 at 01:53 PM (CST)

Dear Friends,

To every thing there is a season...

We just learned that Catie's dear friend Kevin has joined her in heaven. You never know that hearts can break again and again. This boy was incredible and the bond between the two was something to behold. Kevin wanted to take the escalator to heaven, because that was what Catie did. I imagine them having a great reunion while the rest of miss them like crazy.

We will do our best to honor both of their wishes and not cry too much. We will never know what the world has lost - what the future would have brought for these two precious children, and all the other kids who have fought this battle.

Lynn has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Catie Hoch Foundation or the Berkshire Country Day School Library Fund. You can send donations to the funeral home - Devanny Condron, 40 Maplewood Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201 or for those donating to Catie's just send it to us.

Larry and I would like to wish you a peaceful holiday season. We are getting ready for Christmas and plan to cut down our tree on Sunday.

The boys are keeping us very busy with soccer, basketball and Tai Kwon Do. Johnny is enjoying First Grade and Robby is loving Mrs. Flanagan in Third.

I wanted to let you know that I will be carrying the Olympic Torch on Sunday, December 30th at 9:00 a.m. in Saratoga (between the Kaydeross sign and the Thoroughbred Motel.) I am very honored to do so.

Thank you for thinking of us and for remembering Catie and Kevin.

Love, Gina

Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 10:29 AM (CDT)

Hi Friends,

The Catiebug was amazing. This year's race was dedicated to Ben Durant. Ben was a school mate of Catie's. He died from neuroblastoma on September 19th. We felt we had Ben and Catie watching over us.

We had perfect weather and a great turnout. Over 420 people participated in the runs. It was so touching to see all the kids in their ladybug shirts running like crazy.

We raised over $30,000!!! There was pizza, soda, juice, water, goody bags, medals and awesome desserts by J&S Watkins. What a day!

Thank you to all of our sponsors and all of the wonderful volunteers who helped make this possible. I have the best race committee in the world.

Love, Gina

p.s. We are going to try to post pictures on the catiehochfoundation.org web site. Check it out!

Sunday, September 23, 2001 at 06:33 PM (CDT)

Dear Friends,

The second annual Catiebug for a Cure is Saturday, September 29th. All seems to be going as planned and we are hoping for great weather.

Ben Durant, a boy from Chango, recently lost his 9 year battle with neuroblastoma. He fought a long, hard battle, as did his parents. We were so saddened to learn of his passing, and we want to honor his memory. So the Catiebug 2001 is being dedicated to Ben. We hope all of you can be here.

Thank you for all of your support. The Catie Hoch Foundation continues to grow and prosper.

Love, Gina

Thursday, August 23, 2001 at 09:58 AM (CDT)

Hi Friends,

The summer is winding down and it has been a busy one. Johnny is staying with my brother Tony right now and Larry and I are going to Williamstown, MA for an overnight vacation. Robby gets to stay with friends and cousins.

Things are moving along rapidly. The David Cassidy Day at the Races was a huge success and so much fun. We will probably receive about $15,000 from the event.

The Catiebug for a Cure is being held on Saturday, September 29th in Clifton Park. We hope you all can make it. To download a registration form go to catiehochfoundation.org

Thanks for your continued support.

Love, Gina

Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 10:14 AM (CDT)

Hi Friends,

We are finishing up another school year. The boys had great years at Chango.

As I posted above. We have several upcoming events. The David Cassidy/Kidscharities.org Day at the Races on August 4th should be awesome.

Then we have the Pigskin Parlow Bowling event on August 12th. That should be great fun.

And our biggest event is the CATIEBUG FOR A CURE 5K AND FUN RUN. Please mark your calendars - September 29th is the date.

Also, we are making changes and will have a new website up and running soon. The address is catiehochfoundation.org and you can e-mail me at gina@catiehochfoundation.org. Check it out.

Love, Gina

Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 01:22 PM (CDT)

Dear Friends,

Miss Catiebug's Tea Party was a huge success. Thank you for all of your support. Over 160 people attended and we raised over $2,600.

Now,
More news... The Pigskin Parlor (a football/family organization) is hosting a bowling day at the Clifton Park Bowl. And they have selected Catie's Foundation to be a recipient of some of the proceeds. It is being held on August 12th. For more information, go to the link below. Hope to see you there!

We are part of a big gala event at the Saratoga Race Track on August 4th. David Cassidy's Kidscharities.org is hosting a Day at the Races and the Catie Hoch Foundation has been selected as one of three recipients. Tickets are $150 per person, which includes a wonderful buffet and open bar. There will be great raffle and auction items. We are very pleased to be a part of this event.
Thank you all again.

Love, Gina

Monday, April 23, 2001 at 03:43 PM (CDT)

Dear Friends and Family,

As we approach the one year anniversary, I still find it hard to believe that Catie is not here. Life will never be the same.
As I try to make sense of each day, I cherish my time with the boys. But with each new event, I think that it is something else that she has missed. Thank goodness that Robby and Johnny keep me busy - they are such joys (when they're not fighting with each other!)

Catie's Foundation is one thing that keeps me going. We have already done so much good, with much more in the works. The race is starting to shape up. So I have some favors to ask of you -
-if you think your business would like to be a race sponsor, please let me know and I will send out a letter.
-if you would like to donate through the United Way at work, you can designate the Catie Hoch Foundation. We now have official 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. Just give them the name and my phone number.

My goal this year is to fund a fellow position at the hospital to help out the neuroblastoma team. This costs about $70,000 per year, but it would help so many of these kids. So every penny counts.

I know that money can't buy happiness, but I do know how much Catie wanted to help other kids - and her foundation is doing that. Thank you for all of your continued support.

Please keep on checking the Foundation web page and the Times Union page for information on the upcoming events.

Your thoughts and kindness give me strength to keep on going.

Love,
Gina

p.s. If you are planning on attending the Miss Catiebug's Tea Party, please purchase your tickets as soon as possible. The tickets will not be sold at the door. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

Saturday, March 31, 2001 at 11:20 AM (CST)

Today is the last day of March and it has been a rough month. Spring just doesn't want to arrive, and the weather has matched my mood. But the other day, during a particularly grumpy period, I got a phone call from someone at GE out in Pittsfield. I've already starting sending sponsor letters out for the Catiebug for the Cure 2001. After chatting with him for a while and explaining the purpose of the Foundation, he told me that GE is on board for as a Corporate Underwriter for the Catiebug for a Cure . I was speechless. He knows Paul and Lynn - Kevin Hirt's parents, and he heard about Catie through mutual friends. After I hung up the phone I just sat there and cried.

Since the first year was so successful, I feel that we have to beat the $27,000 that we raised last year. And between AXA - already on board as a platinum sponsor, and GE - we are on our way.

Please check out the Foundation web site and the Times Union web site. The TU site gives more information about the events and I've added a few new pages.

Thank you for your continued support. It means so much to all of us.

Love, Gina

Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 06:24 PM (CST)

It was ten years ago yesterday that we had our beautiful Catie. We had mass said in her memory at Corpus Christi. Many of our friends were there and Lynne found a ladybug crawling around in church. We then had coffee and coffee cakes. In the afternoon our friends came over and we signed messages on balloons. About 6:00 we released them and it was quite an awesome sight. The kids found a ladybug in the basement while they were playing and I found one crawling all over my toothbrush last night. I feel like she was there with us.

Thank you all for the cards, gifts and flowers. It makes me feel good to know that she is remembered.

Love,
Gina

Monday, February 19, 2001 at 01:59 PM (CST)

Today was the Catiebug Bowl and we had a great time. The Foundation raised over $2,000. About 300 people attended and more than 400 games were bowled. Thank you.

The Shenedehowa National Honor Society was a huge help. They sold food, t-shirts, painted faces, cleaned up and in general helped all over the place. We really appreciate their support.

Clifton Park Bowl was incredible. Please support their business.

Since the nine month mark was yesterday, it was fitting that today be a Catie day. I miss her so much, but her light still shines on us.

Thank you all for continuing to be there for us.

Mark your calendars. It looks like the next event will be a TEA PARTY on Sunday, June 3rd. We will be raffling off lots of prizes and it should be a lot of fun.

If any local people have old teacups, saucers and/or lunch plates that you would like to get rid of, let me know. I am trying to gather a bunch for the party.

Tuesday, March 13th is Catie's birthday. A mass will be said at 9:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi in her memory. From 3:00 - 5:30, anyone wishing to can come to our house and sign a message on a balloon for Catie. We will release them at 5:30.
Love, Gina

Monday, February 05, 2001 at 10:21 AM (CST)

Hi everyone,

It is a snow day today and we have been working on valentines. I can't help but remember last year, when Catie was so intent on making it to Valentine's Day. We made ladybug candies and wrote out cards. When word got out, our house was wallpapered in valentinues.

This is yet another holiday that we will have to get through without her. Although her presence will always be in our hearts.

As you may know, we are planning the Catiebug Bowl for Monday, February 19th. It is President's Day so we hope many families will join us. It is at the Clifton Park Bowl and the cost is $5 per game. Shoe rental is free and we will be selling refreshments.

These events help keep Catie's memory alive. The Foundation is doing well, and it pleases us to see the good it is doing. Families are surprised when they receive Catie's "fun money" and they are grateful for the help with the Ronald McDonald House.

Thank you for your continued support.

Love, Gina

Friday, January 05, 2001 at 04:50 PM (CST)

The new year is upon us and with it is the knowledge that Catie is gone. Her spirit, however, continues to inspire all of us.

Whenever we see a ladybug or hear from people how they were touched by her, we know just how special she is. Her presence continues to be felt.

Thank you all for the cards, pictures and letters. We loved hearing from you. I didn't send out cards this year because I just couldn't. Maybe next year.

Thank you to all of you who contributed to the Foundation. It is growing and we have hopes and plans that it will continue to grow.

We hope the new year brings you peace and joy. Please keep on signing the guestbook. Your words mean a lot to us.

Love, Gina