Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE

Free Book with Donation in January 2010

If you donate to Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE during the month of January 2010, you will receive a FREE copy of Gigi’s new book Caregivers’ Devotions to Go.  This book contains 30 stories from a caregiver’s perspective – some stories from a mother’s heart, other from a grandmother’s point of view.  There are several stories about being caregiver to Gigi’s mother and grandmother.  Each story will touch you heart no matter what your caregiver role might be. 

Thank you for your generous donations!

Fall 2009 Scholarship Winners Announced

We are pleased to announce that our FALL 2009 scholarship award winners were selected.  This selection process was much harder than we had anticipated.  There were incredible candidates in this first round of scholarship applicants.  As we raise more money we hope to help more of our applicants find a way to attend college or a trade school.

Kyleigh Ivory won our $1,000 scholarship.  Austin Amaro won our $500 scholarship.  Please come back for more information on these amazing people.

We are currently reviewing the next group of applicants for our Winter 2010 Scholarship winner.  We will announce that winner after our fund raising campaign over the holidays.  Application deadline is October 31, 2009 for the winter round of Scholarships.  Please use the application on our website.  Scholarship amounts are based on funds available at the time of the award and subject to change based on the input of our board of directors.  If you submitted an application for the Fall campaign, your application will also be considered for the winter scholarship.

Gabe Meets Nick Vujicic – Life Without Limbs

We had an amazing time at the Gather4Him fundraiser in Richland, WA this week.  We had the priviledge of meeting Nick Vujicic as he shared his incredible story.  Thanks Nick for the blessing of your life and the ministry you have so graciously accepted.  We hope to partner with you to help every individual with a disability to know that God sees them as fearfully and wonderfully made! 

Gabe Murfitt and Nick Vujicic meet at Gather4Him Fund raising dinner

I loved how Nick shares his incredible story and reminds us that if we put the word GO in front of the word DISABLE we get a new perspective on disability God-Is-Able!  Yes He is!  Thanks Nick!  Be sure to check out Nick’s website in our links at www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

Gabe makes a C-L-E-A-R message at Leota Junior High

Thanks Mr. Sander for inviting Gabe to speak with your Wednesday morning group today.  It was good to see you and to share Gabe’s C-L-E-A-R message with such a nice big group.  Hopefully each one of the students will remember to have Courage as a Leader striving for Excellence with a positive Attitude while Respecting others.

Northwest Ministry Conference 2009

We had a great time at the Northwest Ministry Conference this weekend.  We had wonderful people visit our booth and attend our workshops.  We learned a lot and are excited to follow up with the connections we made.  This conference is highly recommended.  Come see us there next year March 18-20, 2010.  You won’t be disappointed at the hundreds of workships and exhibits available.  Very inspiring!

Gabe Speaking in Billings, MT

This week Gabe is in Billings, MT speaking at two elementary schools.  This afternoon he’ll speak twice at Poly Drive Elementary.  Tomorrow he’ll meet the students at McKinley Elementary School.  Speaking to the kindergarten through third graders, his presentation includes interacting with the students while he shoots the basketball into his portable hoop.  He’ll also play catch with them using his raquet balls as they ask questions about his life.  He will present his C-L-E-A-R presentation to the fourth through sixth graders.  The students will learn about courage, leadership, excellence, leadership and respect. 

In the mornings he has been enjoying spending time at Sandstone Elementary school assisting in the classroom for Mrs. Goodheart’s 3/4 split class.   Since he is studying to become a teacher, this is great practice.

We’ll leave Billings on Thursday, March 26th to prepare for the Northwest Ministry Conference where Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE has a booth.  We will be presenting two workshops.  One on Friday and one on Saturday.

Gabe Speaking at RYLA at PLU

As part of the amazing group MOMENTUM, Gabe spoke tonight at the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) conference at Pacific Lutheran University.  He shared the secret to his success as a leader – take the word “can’t” out of your vocabulary and find a way to make it happen.  The group was well received by the high school students who were chosen to participate in this weekend conference.  Congratulations RYLA participants!

Grant Application News

We are pleased to announce that we presented our first grant award to a Seattle area family.  On Saturday, January 3, 2009 we presented a check to the Paul Bugni family to help them pay the expenses of building a wheelchair ramp into their home. 

Leo cruises on his new ramp

Their son Leo is a beautiful kindergartner who is now able to drive his electric wheelchair into his home.  We are grateful for the donations that allowed us to approve this grant application. 

Donations are accepted online or by mail to our address at PO Box 2437, Woodinville, WA  98072-2437

Northwest Ministry Conference – March 26-28, 2009

Come see us at the Northwest Ministry Conference at Overlake Christian Church March 26-28, 2009.  We will have an exhibit booth to share the details of our ministry.  Gabe will be providing a workshop and so will Steve and Gigi.  We are excited to invite you to learn how you can help us in our ministry to individuals with disabilities and their families.  We’ve got some exciting projects on the horizon.  For more details of the conference please check out their website at www.nwcec.org

Blessings!

Welcome

Welcome to Gabriel’s Foundation of Hope

Our organization was created to help individuals with disabilities and their families.  Let us know if you need our help to overcome and persevere through your situation.  Our goal is to encourage you in the middle of your circumstances.