There was magic all around at the 6th Annual Joseph Middlenmiss Celebrity ScoopFest!
The community came out in droves to Shaw Farm for the Celebrity ScoopFest and the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation gave out the most scholarships to children in martial arts, dance and music.
As educators, Kate and Scott wanted to include scholarships that would empower and inspire children having scholarship recipients enjoy what Joseph loved most in his 6 years of being with us.
From their website:
Dance instruction can boost a child's academic performance while transforming his/her character and strengthening the self-concept. Current research not only supports this but also shows how the arts enhance cognitive, behavorial, and social/emotional growth as well. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, a calm and positive attitude, imagination, and self-discipline are developed and enhanced through the study of dance. Our goal is to provide this opportunity so as to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be leaders and to help other as they interact in their schools and communities at large.
The recipient of the "Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation" Dance Scholarship will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 to be used for dance lessons at a mutually agreeable location. Upon selection, the recipient (and family) may select a dance center in a convenient location within the United States. A member of our board of directors will contact the center to confirm authenticity. The payment will be made directly to the dance center of the recipient's choice. ...
Joe's affinity for music began when he was just an infant. He listened to classical music his stay in the neonatal intensive care unit and everyone noticed how the melodies calmed him. As he transitioned home from the hospital at 3 months of age, his musical repertoire continued to expand. The only thing that would soothe him during typical infant tantrums was a favorite song from Johnny Cash, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, or The Beatles. By his second birthday, he began to show a strong preference for the Beatles and began to tap out the beat to many songs with his foot or whatever household item he could transform into an instrument. Throughout his toddler years, his favorite blue ukulele seemed to be attached to him and he couldn't travel anywhere without it.
Shortly after he turned three, we enrolled him in the Musical Voyagers Program at the Music Academy of Chelmsford. Each week, he was invited to learn about and experiment with a different instrument. His love of instruments and all music just exploded. We explored many instruments at home, but Joe chose to focus on his drumming skills through private lessons at the academy. He established a wonderful bond with his instructor, and his Saturday morning lessons became the highlight of his week. Joseph grew to become quite an accomplished drummer and entertained family and friends at his home, during group recitals, and through homemade videos. He was so proud of his accomplishments.
As educators, we believe in teaching the whole child. Music has always been linked to academic success. Current research not only supports this but also shows how it enhances cognitive, behavorial, and social/emotional growth as well. Music is such a powerful force. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, calm, positive attitude, imagination, discipline, study skills, and invention are developed and enhanced through the study of music.
Our son's passion for music-combined with this research-has moved us to create a music scholarship in Joe's name. Our goal is to give "the gift of music" in an effort to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be instruments of peace as they interact in their schools and communities at large.
The recipient of the "Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation" Music Scholarship will receive one year of private (weekly) music lessons at the Music Academy of Chelmsford (73 Princeton Street, Chelmsford, MA 01863). Upon selection, scheduling can be done directly with the music academy.
It is now our greatest desire to carry on Joe's legacy by continuing to touch others' lives and opening hearts just our son did with such ease and perfection. As a result, we founded The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. One key goal of the foundation is to assist children in exploring one of his passions: Martial Arts.
Even though Joey only got to attend one martial art lesson he loved it ...
and we want to share that love!
Joe's afffinity for the martial arts started at about the same time he discovered the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He loved everything about the show, had every action figure, costume, and play weapon you could imagine. And, he would put on shows re-enacting some of Leonardo's, Raphael's, Donataello's, or Michaleangelo's moves from the most recent episode. He often times made his parents a bit nervous with his jumping spin kicks that started from the couch and ended on the floor. But, he always landed on his feet, and gave his parents a big laugh.
As a result of his cardiac condition, Joseph was unable to participate in many of the organized sports that so many young boys and girls participate in every weekend. But, Joe (and his parents) were finally able to convince his cardiologist to participate in martial arts. Two weeks before his untimely passing, Joseph participated in his first and only martial arts lesson. He LOVED every second of it. He was so excited to order his gi. Unfortunatley, he never had the chance to wear it. But, we are so grateful that he had the opportunity to participate in this one lesson. It was such a happy day for him!
As educators, we believe in teaching the whole child. The martial arts can boost a child's academic performance whilst transforming his/her character. Current research not only supports this but also shows how the martial arts enhance cognitive, behavioral, and social/emotional growth as well. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, a calm and positive attitude, imagination, and self-discipline are developed and enhanced through the study of the martial arts.
Our son's passion for the martial arts- combined with this research- has moved us to create a martial arts scholarship in Joe's name. Our goal is to provide this opportunity so as to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be leaders and to help others as they interact in their schools and communities at large.
Before the Awards Ceremony, Tom and I walked around and were stopped in our tracks by the Kindness Rocks for Joey table:
Will and Joey were best friends in kindergarten. I instantly made the connection about Will from The Foundation's informational video:
In first grade, Will came up with the idea to create Kindness Rocks For Joey. He donates all of the proceeds to the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation! Last year, on Joseph's birthday, the proceeds funded a taco party on the 8th floor of Boston Children's Hospital.
Tom and I bought two Kindness Rocks for Joey and felt the love that went into each creation. Will is now in 6th grade.
When we did a video giveaway to thank our donors for Tom's Falmouth Road Race run to benefit The Foundation, and gave Will a shout out showing his Kindness Rocks, he reached out to us saying that he'd like to design special kindness rocks for a giveaway to help us raise money for the Foundation!
In addition to Scholarships, Kindness Awards are given out at the Celebrity ScoopFest!
It's heart warming to see what big hearts children in our communities have and the acts of kindness they perform in their communities that ripples out into the world at large.
One of the recipients of last year's Kindness award, Ellie Blumberg, made cookies and sold them for her Mitzvah project. She raised over $5700 from the sales of her cookies. She designated $1000 of that money to go to a Dance Scholarship for Ava, one of Joseph's heart warrior friends who recently underwent a procedure in Philadelphia. Ava and the Blumbergs knew each other from Temple and the JCC; Ava and Ellie attended the same dance school. The Middlemiss' knew Ava through Joseph's journey as a heart warrior and met the Blumbergs through the Bersons. It's amazing how connections are made through this amazing angel!
While local celebrities like Kendra Petrone of Magic 106.7 and Jeremy Reiner of Channel 7 News scoop ice cream, there were celebrities like Kevin LaCoste, Principal of Colonel John Robinson School and Team Babsie, Beth Singleton Craig and her mom who have an incredible story that is connected to the Middlemiss Susperhero 5K!
With our hearts full, we said our goodbyes and took these photos of Grace and Scott:
We hope you will consider a donation to Tom's fundraising page by following this link and practicing acts of kindness carrying on Joseph Middlemiss' legacy of love and kindness. It's an honor and a privilege to fund raise for this incredible Foundation that changes lives around the world.
Kindness rocks for Joey and the world!
From my heart to yours
In Health and Wellness,
Mary
Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com
Hear my interview with Kendra Petrone on Magic 106.7's Exceptional Women Show by following this link
My books are available on Amazon and at Paper Fiesta in Natick on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon route. Proceeds of book sales for May through July are going to Tom McManus's Falmouth Road Race run for the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. You can also make a direct donation by following this link.
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