We received a surprise envelope full of Westview High students' volunteer time sheets. I was so moved by both the time they put in for Abel and also the comments that many of them shared. It was such a great reminder of the beauty, not only in giving but in receiving. Thank you so much to everyone who has so generously given up their time, energy and love for our family.
I truly believe that when your moment of truth comes
(as it does for everyone),
Life will give back to you, all that you gave to us and more.
With hearts full of gratitude,
The Andrews Family
I truly believe that when your moment of truth comes
(as it does for everyone),
Life will give back to you, all that you gave to us and more.
With hearts full of gratitude,
The Andrews Family
here is just a few of the Westview High School Students thoughts when asked
what helping abel has meant to them:
"Having CP myself, I know what its like to struggle + the power of community. I have always longed to "give back" because so many people have done this for me. I am honored to help towards this cause. Abel is truly a joy + inspiration who has touched the heart of all. <3
-Maria, grade 9 +1 hr
-Maria, grade 9 +1 hr
"Abel is such an Inspiration! Always give 100%! Keep it up Abel. We all LOVE you.
-Emily, grade 12 + 1 hr
-Emily, grade 12 + 1 hr
"Dear Abel, you are the bravest and happiest little boy I have ever seen. I admire you for all you have been through at such a young age. You have such a wonderful mother who loves you and even though I don't know you, I love you too :)
Stay strong and Never give up! <3
-Rachel, grade 10 + 1 hr
Stay strong and Never give up! <3
-Rachel, grade 10 + 1 hr
"Helping Abel is to show others that, helping somebody else can help us come closer as a community and even a huge family."
-Karen, grade 9 + 1 hr
-Karen, grade 9 + 1 hr
"Hello Abel! Helping you has meant so much to me. I feel blessed to have been able to do such a simple act and have such an impact and meaning towards your life and your disease. You have inspired me to volunteer more to be able to help more people and to really make a difference in others lives and the community. I also want to thank your mom for seeking help and loving you and everyone else. She truly is a hero, Abel."
-Isabella, grade 10 + 1/2 hr
-Isabella, grade 10 + 1/2 hr
"Helping Abel has made me realize that there is more to the world then just my point of view. It's made me see that I can help make a difference + one person can help other people. I'm so happy I could be a part of this!"
-Emalee grade 12 + 23 hrs
-Emalee grade 12 + 23 hrs
"The moment I saw Abel on the billboards around the school, I knew I had to volunteer for him. His story is so inspiring and I feel so honored to be a part of this!"
-Aubrie, grade 10 + 1 hr
-Aubrie, grade 10 + 1 hr
"It made me feel a lot more of worth. I went to a retirement home expecting to be bored and actually had a lot of fun talking to the people there. I even talked to the activities coordinator trying to organize another time to go. It makes me feel better that I am not only making my life better but also Abel's and the people I visited. I hope everything turns out well."
-Mariah, grade 10 + 3 1/2 hrs
-Mariah, grade 10 + 3 1/2 hrs
"for Abel: Stay Strong and don't lose faith! we'll be Praying for you. God Bless <3"
-Esther, grade 10 + 1 hr
-Esther, grade 10 + 1 hr
"It felt good to know that I'm making a difference in someone's life and allowed me to realize that I have a lot to be thankful for."
-Hanna, grade 10 + 1 hr
-Hanna, grade 10 + 1 hr
"Abel you are such a sweetheart! Stay strong buddy :) You give us hope.
-Joyce, grade 10 +1/2 hr
-Joyce, grade 10 +1/2 hr
"Abel, you are such a sweetheart! I want you to have the best life possible because you deserve it. I hope you do well in the future. Helping you has made me realize how much I take my own good health for granted, and I won't do that anymore thanks to you! I wish you luck in the years to come."
-Samantha, grade 10 + 1/2 hr
-Samantha, grade 10 + 1/2 hr
"If I were in the same situation, I know how much this support would mean to me. To me it's about taking a few hours of your time to do something good."
-Katy, grade 12 + 11.5 hrs
-Katy, grade 12 + 11.5 hrs
"I loved helping with the special needs colorguard, because they were all so happy and grateful, but it's even better to know that I helped Abel. He's so sweet."
-Hayley, grade 11 + 5 hrs
-Hayley, grade 11 + 5 hrs
"Abel! You are such a strong little man! I'm so grateful that Westview -me included! -gets to help provide you with a better future. It was my pleasure to go to the Oregon Food Bank & service Oregon's hungry, but it was an even greater feeling knowing my time could not only go to those individuals, but that it could also extend to you. You're a fighter-and all of us here at WHS have our bets on you! <3 Erika :)
-Erika, grade 11 + 5 hrs
-Erika, grade 11 + 5 hrs
"Hi, Abel :) You are really cute and I love your smile :D Hope you become stronger! and thanks for giving this great oppurtunity to Westview! I'll cheer for you <3
-Suzy, grade 10 + 1/2 hr
-Suzy, grade 10 + 1/2 hr
"It means that I am helping put a smile on his face and his parents and that makes me smile." -Jake, grade 9 + 1 hr
"I had my only grandpa suffer from sickness back in my home country (Kenya). He was a really great person and I think the only grandpa that I've even seen in real life. My family and I never knew what his sickness was or what caused it but it was very bad. We couldn't do anything about it but pray for him. Now he is in a better place. I wanted to help Abel because I am able to."
-Abdi + 1 hr
-Abdi + 1 hr
"Helping Abel has changed me as a person and I can't have a greater respect for you and Abel. :) I hope the best for you guys! I pray for you, Bye!
-Danievone, grade 10 + 1 hr
-Danievone, grade 10 + 1 hr
"Having an oppurtunity to help Abel <3 live a better life has given me more appreciation for the life I have. It's great to know that I can give money to his family just by giving up some of my time."
-Victoria, grade 11 + 5 hrs
-Victoria, grade 11 + 5 hrs
" I tried my best to get (volunteer) hours. You are Amazing Abel! :D
-Yasmina, grade 9 +6.5 hrs
-Yasmina, grade 9 +6.5 hrs
"I really liked helping them (special needs color guard kids), because it made me feel really good. When they're happy and smile, I'm smiling too. I'm really glad that I can help Abel. :) -Franziska + 5 hrs
"It meant a lot to me that I was a small part in helping him have a bright future. It made me realize I can do a lot of little things to have a bright impact."
- Heather, grade 10 + 1 hr
- Heather, grade 10 + 1 hr
"Helping Abel has given me a different kind of satisfaction. I've done volunteer work and community service before, but I had never actually met the people I was helping. It feels much different to know who it is that you are helping while you're doing it. I feel like this is also more personal now and it means a lot to me to be apart of a school effort to help this little boy."
-Stephanie, grade 12 + 1 hr
-Stephanie, grade 12 + 1 hr
"It means a lot to me to be able to help such a sweet boy to get the care he needs because everyone deserves that."
-Laura, grade 11 + 1 hr
-Laura, grade 11 + 1 hr
"Abel deserves a fantastic life and I feel grateful that I, myself, was given the opportunity to help him."
- Leeya, grade 9 +10 hrs
- Leeya, grade 9 +10 hrs
"I'm glad I could help. I really connected to Abel and SO happy to be able to help! :) Good Luck!" -Haley, grade 12 +22.5 hrs
"It has made me feel like I made a difference, like I've really helped someone in need out. Out of my free time, putting away selfishness, I have built character, along with my heart growing a littler bigger knowing this kid is being helped. I hope the best for this little boy; he is going through an unbelievable challenge and deserves the best support he can get. And knowing I played a part makes me feel good."
-Spencer, grade 10 + 1 hr
-Spencer, grade 10 + 1 hr
"helping our community as a volunteer brings a sense of community & togetherness. It benefits our Sparrow, Abel, and makes me proud and glad to be a part of something that can make his life better."
-Jeannette, grade 11 + 6.5 hrs
-Jeannette, grade 11 + 6.5 hrs
"I am happy to help Abel pay for his therapy sessions."
-Jaleasa, grade 10 +30 hrs
-Jaleasa, grade 10 +30 hrs
total : over 380 hours!!
I cry every time I read through these. I wish I had time to type out all the comments. What an amazing group of kids. I hope they carry Abel's story with them always just like I will remember them ALWAYS.
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