A cause dear to the hearts of boys and girls and teachers in Miss Cindy’s Neighborhood Nursery School is the annual St. Jude Trike-A-Thon fundraiser which they will host on May 15 and 16, when they will be riding their bikes at the school to raise money, so no child or his or her family ever have to hear the dreaded word, cancer.

What do you know about Saint Jude Thaddeus, the saint, who is well-known as the patron of “lost causes” and “hopeless cases? Due to a desperate vow made just before World War II, we can thank a struggling entertainer, Danny Thomas, the son of Arab-American immigrants, who was unemployed and whose wife was about to give birth.

A holy man, Danny was attending Mass, and he impulsively donated his last $7 to the collection, promising: “Saint Jude, if you help me find my way in life, I will build a shrine in your honor!” Well, older Americans remember well Danny’s long, successful movie and television career. Grateful parents worldwide know the miracles that have taken place for over fifty years at his St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where needy children are cared for regardless of race, religion, or financial resources, and monumental advances continue in healing and preventing pediatric cancers and catastrophic childhood diseases.

To give the gift of Hope, parents and friends and community members are invited to join Miss Cindy’s school in raising funds to help support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You may drop off a check, or mail a check made out to St. Jude and mail to Miss Cindy’s Neighborhood School, 1860 Route 300, Newburgh, NY 12550. Or, you can make a donation on Miss Cindy’s Neighborhood Nursery School Facebook page and click on the link to donate online, for the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon.

Miss Cindy has two baskets that she is raffling off, and you can stop in at the front desk in the school to buy a raffle ticket and/or donate in person. The Italian theme basket has six exciting bottles of wine and two fancy glasses, and it is sitting atop a pretty, marble Lazy Susan perfect for the cheese and crackers, and it might be great for date night. The pasta theme basket is actually a beautifully decorated Italian pasta dish filled with delicious clam sauce, red sauce, olive oil, pasta, artichoke hearts, olives, and capers and could make for a romantic dinner or family gathering. Donations for the theme baskets are: $1 for one ticket; $10 for 13 tickets; and $20 for 30 tickets.

Please help to continue to fulfill Danny’s promise with your participation. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, because a family’s worry should only be helping their child to live. God bless your compassionate heart.
The merriest springtime month is May announcing that spring has really sprung in all her colorful and prolific glory. Today is May Day, and it is still joyfully celebrated by our young people who love the beauty of flowers, and the gaiety and fantasy of Maypole festivities, and possibly thoughts of a more romantic time.

My two-year-old grandson, Lucas, is fascinated with my flowers, loving to pick and smell their prettiness, but he is happiest of all with the bright yellow dandelions that have greedily overtaken my sad lawn. He picks as many as his chubby little hands can hold and with a big sunny smile, he hands me his gift, saying, “Nana, here are your ‘daddy-lions.’ I make you happy?” Blossoming everywhere, dandelions are the children’s flower, and that is my happy gift this May Day.

Joe Candela is asking you to save a life, and it’s not too late to donate your blood for the Sacred Heart Parish Annual Blood Drive that will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Sacred Heart School gymnasium, 24 S. Robinson Avenue.

Even if you have not signed up, walk-ins are always welcome. This year, all donors will receive a memorial card to fill out with the name of a deceased loved one. On the weekend following the drive, May 12-13, the cards will be placed on the altar and will be included in the Mass intentions and prayers.

Every donation helps to save three local patients, as the donation is separated into red cells, platelets, and plasma. Eligible donors include those people at least 16 years of age (with parental permission) who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health. Remember to bring your ID card, and to eat and drink extra fluids before donating. Please support this very worthy cause; the need is great and supplies are low. Donate and save a life.

The Community Garden Club of the Hudson Valley is having its Annual Plant and Bake Sale, and (White Elephant Table) on Mother’s Day Weekend, Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Moulton Memorial Baptist Church, 54 Old Little Britain Road, Town of Newburgh. Rain or Shine!

May you always have an angel at your side.