AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2016
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
  Dear (Contact First Name),   
Kate Spinella

As we have passed the midpoint of summer, it is hard to believe that students will be returning to school in the next few weeks. I have always liked the fall; for me it is associated with new beginnings because of the start of the academic year. It is always a chance to do better, whether at school, on the job or at home. It is my favorite time of the year and an exciting one for The Matty Fund!

At the end of last week, we finished up our last week of Camp Matty 2016. We had an incredible session at Camp, seeing old friends, and making new ones. We had new activities, including a puppet show with Sparky's puppets, an African drumming workshop and performance, and a visit from the cutest animals from Animal Affair petting zoo. We loved being at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center, and we thank all of our friends there for making our time riding so fabulous. We would also like to recognize our many volunteers who came to Camp to help out. We couldn't manage to run the Camp without their brilliant help! Please follow this link to see the pictures from our great Camp experience.

On September 17th, we will hold our 14th annual Matthew Siravo Memorial Golf Tournament. There are spaces for golfers and opportunities to sponsor the tournament. The event normally sells out so book your foursome today! Even if you are not a golfer , everyone can participate in the golf ball drop!  Just before the start of the tournament, we will drop numbered golf balls from a crane. The golf ball that lands closest to or in the hole will win $1,000! Chances are $5.00 for one ball or five for $20.00. Click HERE  to purchase your chance to claim $1,000.

It has been a wonderful summer for The Matty Fund.I hope that this fall you make the most of the opportunity for renewal, I am certainly going to try!

Stay healthy,


Kate Spinella
Executive Director
MATTY FUND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS INSPIRE US ALL   

In June of 2016, The Matty Fund was delighted to present six $1,000 scholarships to Rhode Island high school seniors impacted by epilepsy who are furthering their education. Monet Cann from Coventry High School, Samuel Hugh Finch, who was homeschooled in Harrisville, Grace Fitch from East Greenwich High School, Connor Kuba from Chariho Regional High School, Joseph Palazzo from Classical High School, and Meghan Zamperini from South Kingstown High School have all graduated this spring and will be attending college in the fall. Each of them has demonstrated, in their accomplishments and determination, a strength of character with which The Matty Fund is proud to be associated. 
 
This extraordinary group of young people credit family and friends for helping them to not only cope with their epilepsy diagnosis, but to transcend it, as Joseph Palazzo describes in his scholarship essay. "Sure I have to take a bunch of medication daily and I'm limited in the activities I can participate in with friends, but at the end of the day I'm surrounded by the greatest support group of people one can hope for." Joseph goes on to say, "My diagnosis of epilepsy was a blessing in disguise. It has taught me a very valuable lesson to not take my friends, family, or my life for granted." Another student, Meghan Zamperini, makes her mother the central focus of her gratitude, quickly giving her all the credit. "[My mom] has not only helped me to be as successful as I am, but over all she made me a better and kinder person," Zamperini writes in her heartfelt essay.
 
Our group of students is diverse; among many other things that characterize them as individuals, they were all diagnosed at different ages and have varying forms of epilepsy.  Among the attributes they all share is a willingness to accept and a readiness to adapt to their diagnoses as a fact of life. "It's a part of me," says Grace Fitch, simply and succinctly. 
 
We admire them for their tenacity and applaud their continuing achievements. All the best to these 2016 The Matthew Siravo Memorial Scholarship recipients!
A Special Night of Baseball

l. to r. Deb Siravo, Will O'Hurley, John O'Hurley and Richard Siravo

On Friday, July 15th, the Siravo family traveled to Portland, ME to appear with John O'Hurley at a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game. Sponsored by the Sea Dogs baseball team, Seinfeld Night recognized organizations who support families coping with epilepsy.  The Siravos were  presented with two autographed baseballs from future Major League Baseball players; Yoan Moncada AND Andrew Benintendi who is NOW PLAYING FOR THE BOSTON RED SOX!  Funds were also raised to benefit The Matty Fund and the Epilepsy Foundation of New England.


Saturday, September 17, 2016 

Registration - 12:30 p.m.
Shotgun - 1:30 p.m.
Clubhouse Dinner - 6:00 p.m.

Richmond Country Club
74 Sandy Pond Road
Hope Valley, RI 02832


SPACE IS LIMITED 




Camp Matty Gallery

August 1 - August 4, 2016

Click HERE for the Camp Matty Gallery
A special thanks to the We Promise Foundation for helping to make Camp Matty possible!

Parent/Caregiver Survey


 
If you are a parent/caregiver and a Matty Fund family, we want to hear from you! A few minutes is all it will take to answer some questions about how we are doing, how our programs affect your family and how we can strengthen them. Your opinion matters as The Matty Fund continues to serve our epilepsy families. 

Click HERE to take the survey!

 
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! 

Consider selling golf balls for our golf ball drop...
We need volunteers to man tables at various sites to sell chances for our golf ball drop. 
We have dates available, and need volunteers to staff the sales booths. 
Contact Christina@MattyFund.org or call 401.921.4466 to volunteer. 



    The Matty Fund for Epilepsy Top-Rated Awards Badge      



Featured in the January 2013 issue of Family Circle magazine


Named a "2012 Health Hero" by WebMD

Best of Rhode Island Logo
Named "Best Non-Profit" by Rhode Island Monthly