Ian's Galactic Evening!

Amazing evening celebrating Ian's journey and raising funds for the Bailey family. It was a festive affair, but you never forgot that he is dying. We kept thinking how is Ian handling this; almost like some people were saying good-bye. Watching his friends running around, chatting, teasing each other, thinking it could be your kid.

The organizers were amazing, pushing everyone to solicit for donations, almost everything was donated, from the food, the dinner service settings, floral centerpieces, photographer, live auction items (vacations in Amelia Island, Costa Rica and St. Augustine Beach, two green egg grills, Jaguar memorabilia, fish paintings) plus 100 silent auction items. Even young Owen Bailey donated three baskets of his toys which raised $710, he was so happy!

Dinner was donated from G's BBQ (pork and chicken) and Anthony's (chicken marsala, vegetables, rolls).

The video made by Shannon, was a tear-jerker, just beautiful and so sad. Everyone needed a good ugly cry afterwards. Ian spoke in the beginning about wanting to share his journey, to show what cancer actually looks like. Alyzabeth was in 4 or 5 of the photos.

Didn't take many photos - but they did get all the attending OPE 6th Grade Class together for a reunion photo (Graduated June 2019).

OPE teachers Mr. Harris and Mrs. Doughty in front on floor (there were many other OPE (Rauth), Lakeside and FIHS teachers in attendance). I spoke to and worked with the substitute teacher (I think "Chris" - she was a delight to volunteer with) who was in Ian's classroom when he told everyone that he had cancer.

One of my jobs during the event was to explain (and strongly encourage bidding) the silent and live auctions (I was speaking to AA's Spanish teacher):

Ford and I:

Ford and Ian:

Set-Up was on Friday and Saturday. I volunteered us for Saturday at noon. Kate, the organizer, had tasks for all of us to take care of; AA was able to pair up with Siyan. We set up the silent auction clipboards (and did an audit of each item, matching the description), the tags for the wine pull raffle, setting silverware and napkins, unloading people's vehicles with donated items, sorting the wine for the bar, etc. Erin Collins with Dylan and Tyler, Jana Kinder and Owen were also helping, plus about a dozen others.

Siyan and her Mom Nasha:

AA leaving to go to her golf lesson:

AA and Siyan setting up the wine pull tags:

Completed table setting:

In the end, over $50,000 was raised, we all helped clean up and I now have 22 tablecloths to wash (and return)!!

Shannon's thank you:

**Ians Galactic Evening-**Wow, just WOW!!! How does one family say thank you to hundreds of families and individuals? How does one describe a night that feels indescribable? There are so many diverse moments from Saturday that words simply CANNOT CAPTURE. Overwhelmed, overjoyed, surprised, lifted, loved--oh my goodness, LOVED, the sheer volume of LOVE that seeped through the night within those 4 walls was a reflection of God moving through people breaking all boundaries that this earthly world tries to create. To witness what we all experienced-COMMUNITY coming together to support a single family, our family, was the goodness in this world that many believe has gone extinct. How blessed all of us are, EACH of us in that room, radiating and living the goodness of God and his people. David and my hearts were, and still are abundantly overflowing with pure joy witnessing our three sons surrounded by their friends who love them with no expectations, who support them in ALL walks of life. Ian couldn’t believe that you all showed up and showed out for him and his journey. You all lifted him- you gave him the most precious gift of all-LOVE, unconditional love, and not only do you pray and lift our EE, but you lift our Lincoln and Owen-some of you give your whole hearts and love us from afar without even knowing our son and our family-your presence Saturday evening, your love that you showered over us gives our family strength, and hope-strength to continue to walk this journey and FIGHT—hope to believe that EE will be healed , because our God can move mountains-and to keep fighting for the love he is surrounded by-to fight for those he hasn’t even met, to show you all that strength and courage can be found in our children-God has sent you all to surround us and lift us, to know that His love is abundant. I read a quote about courage, and I see it in all three of my sons-“COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, BUT RATHER THE JUDGEMENT THAT SOMETHING ELSE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FEAR.” I pray you all know and feel our unwavering grateful hearts for your many blessings gifted to our family! I pray even more, that this storm will soon pass for our family, so that we may bless others the way you all have blessed us. — feeling blessed.