A few more things that have gone on that I forgot to mention! Julia sang at church this past weekend in front of the whole congregation for Faith! She sang "She's a Butterfly" by Martina McBride. With the help of our friend, John, who played the acoustic guitar, she sang that song with all of her heart and got a standing ovation in church! Peter and I are so proud of her as she sang this beautiful and very meaning song to her sister. Also, thanks so much to everyone involved in the Beefsteak Dinner for Faith. Julia, Olivia and Faith had a wonderful time (didn't get home until 12 a.m.). It truly was so overwhelming to see so many people coming out and volunteering their time to support our family. Your generousity, kindness and thoughtfulness is so heartwarming and we are so grateful for all of you, thank you so very much. It was a great weekend in all! We are truly blessed.

Sorry it has taken so long to update Faith's blog, but so much has been going on since the golf outing. Faith is in therapy everyday. She works so very hard and is very determined. She rides a pony, Bella, twice a week for equine therapy, she has speech, occupational and physical therapies several times a week, we go to Children's Specialized Hospital once a week, and she has her kindergarten teachers coming 5 times a week. She is following kindergarten curriculum and doing very well. Her homework assignment is to learn to spell MOM and CAT. Well, she decided for extra credit, that she would spell, MOM, CAT, DAD, DOG, JULIA, OLIVIA, and FAITH MORELLI! She is more and more like herself everyday. With the exception of her balancing skills (which is large motor), and some fine motor skills, she is just about the same old Faith! She's even doing her puzzles again. We had a great visit with our Florida and California friends, Donna, Pam and Lisa. It was so nice to see all of them and for them to see how well Faith is doing (wish you all lived closer!) We went on a class trip to Ort Farms yesterday, Faith rode a bus for the very first time. She went on a tractor ride to pick her very own pumpkin (which was dirty, by the way, on the side and bottom, that's what she told everyone). She wore a smile from ear to ear the entire time. Once I figure out how to put pictures on this blog, I will attach them for you all to see. We are truly blessed and would like to thank each and every one of you for your prayers.

Thank you to Event Sponsors Modern Electric, Swift Electrical Supply, sponsors, volunteers, and golfers! The Faith Morelli Benefit Golf Outing on Monday, August 25th and Mine Brook Golf Club was a huge success!

84 golfers and 12 volunteers turned out to play on beautiful summer day. Early registrants were able to see Faith and how well she is doing. Golfers received t-shirts donated by Ascot Printing and Anca Designs, balls from Source and Eastern Propane, tees from NY Golf, lunch and drinks. Raffle winners, contest winners, and winning foursomes received a plethora of donated door prizes from a grill from Eastern Propane to gift certificates, liquor, clothing, golf merchandise, jewelry and more. Thank you to donors who sent items for auction especially Anthony Malanga. Thank you to Kathy Reidinger from Silpada for donating the proceeds from her jewelry sale to the fund.

Hole and beverage cart sponsorships included: Source Institute for Human Performance, Princeton, NJ; CURE, Princeton, NJ; Long Valley Junior Women’s Club; Cooper Electric, Tinton Falls, NJ; Cazes Family Dentistry; Long Valley, NJ; Trasco Management Corporation, Delray Beach, FL; CTCI Wiring, Lyndhurst, NJ; LEWIS S. GOODFRIEND & ASSOCIATES, Whippany, NJ; SASCO Insurance Services, Inc.; L.A. Detailing, Oakridge, NJ; Bravante and Associates; Edward Leske Company Financial Resources Federal Credit Union. Please offer these businesses your support and patronage whenever possible.

By the grace of God, all of your prayers, and the strong spirit of Faith, she is almost at 75% of her pre-accident function. At the moment Faith seems to see but has large blind spots, particularly at knee level. However, her neurological opthamologist appointment went well and the doctor said with proper rehabilitation she could regain her full sight.

Faith is moving pretty well around the house these days. She struggles with coordination and has the bruises to show it, but she rarely shows frustration. Her desire to be independent is always present. She is now able to bend down and stand up on her own, something she could not do just one week ago.

Please continue to keep Faith in your thoughts and prayers.

T Shirts for Faith are now available for $20.

Front design to the left. Back reads:

Keep Your Friends by Your Side and

Faith in your Heart

Colors are: pink shirts with white printing or grey shirts with navy blue printing. All sizes are available.

T Shirts courtesy of Uncle Charles DeFranza and Ascot Printing. Design courtesy of Carol Bataglia and Anca Studios.

Contact August Leming or Maureen Leming to order.

Please Note: Faith's hospital case worker has recommended that the Morelli Family change the legal name of Faith's Fund to The Morelli Special Needs Trust Fund. The reason for this change is to ensure that Faith is able to remain a beneficiary of Medicaid. Were she to have significant funds in her name, she could lose this critical medical benefit. The nature of the non profit already requires the family to use the funds only and specifically for Faith's care. This will not change. However, we would like the family to be able to continue receiving Medicaid and to only use monies raised to close the remaining financial gaps and costs incurred through Faith's medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Faith is doing very well at home with her family. She goes to the hospital several times a week for therapy for hours a t a time, and on the off days, she does therapy with her teachers at home. She works so hard! She is standing on her own for short periods of time and takes more steps everyday. She is even eating well - three meals a day of semi-solid food.

The doctors say her trache is in good shape, no swelling of which to speak. She will return to Ohio in August for a check up. If all goes well, from then on she will be able to work exclusively with doctors in Philadelphia - a much easier commute for the whole family! She will be seeing a neuro-opthamologist at the end of the month for an important assessment of her vision. Please keep her in your prayers!

Everyone is looking forward to a great golf outing on August 25th! Thank you Modern Electric for sponsoring our event. Players are still needed! For more information, please e-mail aleming@sourcenj.com or mleming@hunschool.org.