February Newsball 2018
Playing Catch-Up with the Life is Good Playmakers
Earlier this month I sent out a note to our community of optimists acknowledging how difficult it can be to feel optimistic when senseless violence claims the lives of good, innocent people. But that’s exactly when we need optimism the most.
As I gathered with community members in Newtown, Connecticut this month to kick off their Brainstorm Speaker Series, I was reminded of how powerful optimism can be. My friend, colleague, and fellow Life is Good Playmaker, Jeremy Richman — whose daughter Avielle was killed during the Sandy Hook School shooting — has made it his mission to fund neuroscience research in the hopes of preventing violence and building compassion.
Aristotle once said — and I paraphrase — that to be angry is easy. But to be angry for the right reasons, and to express that anger in the right way, is not as easy. As optimists, we must continue to look for the opportunities in obstacles and take action to make things better.
Thank you for all that you do to grow the good in the world.
Love & Peace,
Steve Gross, MSW
Chief Playmaker, Life is Good Playmakers
GOOD PROGRESS
Our Work in the Field
Growing Compassion to end Violence
On February 1, Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross addressed a sold-out crowd in Newtown, Connecticut as he helped launch the Avielle Foundation’s Brainstorm Experience. The Avielle Foundation was founded by Dr. Jeremy Richman and his wife Jennifer, after their little girl, Avielle was killed in her first-grade classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. A cherished partner of The LiGP, the Avielle Foundation is committed to changing the dialogue and stigma around brain science, so that individuals and communities can create optimal conditions for growing compassion and ending violence.
See a video from Steve’s address at the Avielle Foundation’s Brainstorm Experience.
Spreading the Power of Optimism in Pheonix
This month, The LiGP launched another partnership with a leading childcare organization: Phoenix Children’s Hospital. More than 100 hospital administrators, nurses, teachers, chaplains, and child-life specialists attended our LiGP 101 Workshop to discover ways to reduce stress and anxiety in order to create optimal environments to help kids heal and connect.
Learn more about our partners at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Openness is a Superpower
Thanks in part to a generous foundation grant, The Life is Good Playmakers are able to open up registration for our Playmaker Two-Day Retreats. These quarterly offerings are held at our Life is Good Headquarters in Boston and are open to childcare professionals working in the areas of health, education, and enrichment. These retreats offer a unique opportunity for individual childcare professionals to invest in themselves and their careers at the same time. The first Playmaker Two-Day of 2018 is coming up in early March.
GOOD GROWTH
Our Work to Raise Support
Doing Good by Doing Well
Late last month at the Voya Financial Conference in Las Vegas, Life is Good Co-Founder, Bert Jacobs shared what it means to be in the business of spreading the power of optimism. He told the inspiring story behind our brand, our work to help more than 1 million children overcome the traumas associated with poverty, violence, and illness, and asked those in the audience to consider how they could help build a safer, more loving, better connected world for our kids. As a result, more than $30,000 was raised for The LiGP within just a few hours. Thank you, Voya Financial!
Bring the power of optimism to your next meeting, conference, or gathering by booking Life is Good.
For the Love of the Game
On Valentine’s Day 40 volunteers showed their love for The LiGP by selling 50/50 tickets at the TD Garden as the Boston Celtics took to the court to face the LA Clippers. By the end of halftime, Team LiGP raised more than $4,000 to support our work to help kids heal. Thanks to everyone who got involved!
Acroyoga is Good
Taking care of self is key to taking care of others. That’s why LiGP is always looking for fun and unique ways for optimists to get together to refuel and reconnect. On March 29 starting at 6P, you’re invited to join leaders from Life is Good in our Tavern for a 60-minute AcroYoga class, taught by Jason Nemer the Co-Founder of the practice. Space is extremely limited and all tickets benefit LiGP.
GOOD PEOPLE
Our Playmakers
Playmaker Spotlight- Dan Black
In the span of just a few years Dan Black was diagnosed with cancer, lost his home, was forced to relocate four times due to Hurricane Harvey, and supported his wife through her own devastating illness. Through it all, Dan – a high school music teacher and true Playmaker for himself and others – remains an optimist.
This month’s special edition of our Playmaker Spotlight tells the inspiring story behind why Dan Black is running the 2018 Boston Marathon in support of The Life is Good Kids Foundation.
"You've got Cancer."
Anyone who’s heard those words knows that your life changes, immediately and forever.
I heard them in April, 2012.
My wife, Bonnie and I were devastated until it occurred to us that I wasn’t dead yet.
So, WE made it a point to hug more. We called our family more. Reached out more.
As a music teacher, I always urged my students to say "I love you," to their parents more - now Bonnie and I realized that we needed to take my own advice.
Through chemo and radiation, we decided to focus on joy.
I continued to teach music. I ran. I rode my bike. We made plans with family. Some of those closest to me even got to see me win two (I still can't believe it) triathlons during treatment.
We decided that being sick wouldn't keep us from connecting with what made life feel good.
In November 2012, I underwent an esophagectomy, during which part of my stomach was used to replace all but 10 centimeters of my esophagus.
I had to relearn how, when and what to eat and drink. I had to relearn how to sleep.
Still, I kept running (though it was much slower and a lot shorter). I went back to teaching just as soon as I was strong enough.
There were some serious setbacks: atrial flutter and aspiration that lead to chemical pneumonia.
Still, I ran. Rode. Taught. Loved.
Since my initial diagnosis, I've undergone multiple surgeries. Lost our historic home in Houston to mold. Moved four times due to water related damage from Hurricane Harvey. Supported my wife through her own devastating illness.
And still, I run. Ride. Teach. Love.
This year, I'm honored to run The Boston Marathon in support of The Life is Good Kids Foundation and their mission to spread the power of optimism to help kids heal.
My wife and I are devout believers that life is not easy. That life is not perfect. AND, yet, still (and always), Life is Good.
I hope you'll continue to help us spread that power of optimism by supporting my 2018 Boston Marathon with a gift in any amount.
-Dan Black
GOT NEWS?
If you have news about a program, fundraiser, or event in support of The LiGP, let us know. We love hearing from you!
