Chili's Event Super Success

There were so many positive points to this night, it is hard to know where to start.
Chad "the Dad" Schoppa came up with the idea. Most people I ask to come was not aware that Chili's allowed benefits such as this... GOOD FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHILI'S! Thank you!!!
Chili's created the email poster and sent it to Chad, who printed, distributed and emailed it and then the poster exponentially multiplied like crazy. Debbie Schoppa, Chad's Mom helped coordinate the evening as well as having her whole office in attendance!

Molly wanted to come. We were unsure until almost the last moment because of the tests and other things going on with her medically. I was informed that Ride Away (a company specializing in special needs transportation) would allow us to "test drive" one of their vans to get Molly back and forth to the event. We had a Chrysler Town and Country special. Push a button, the side door opens and the ramp descended. Molly was able to power wheel her chair into the van and away we went!!!

Molly was apprehensive. How would people react to her? Would they stare? Would children be afraid of the chair?
Molly stated on the way that she would not eat because she would have to be fed. She took some pain medicine prior to getting there so she would feel good.
As we arrived, she did not want me to pull up in front of the building because what if she had trouble getting the chair out? She wasn't sure she could get it down the ramp without running off the side.
Well....
We finally got out safe and sound and were immediately surrounded by friends!!! For the next two and a half hours Molly was the star of the night! (she later told me that she felt like a movie star cause everyone wanted to talk to her!)
Many members from her care team at TGH were in attendance. There was a great out pouring of past swimmers and coaches from Carrollwood Village Swim Team. We were touched to see so many parents from the swim team days!!
Lake Carroll Baptist friends were abundant; many of these have been "life friends".

All night, one after another waited in line often for 15-20 minutes just to wish Molly health and happiness. Hundreds must have passed by. And still they came!!!
It seemed like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Fourth of July all in one night.

To eat... count on 45 minutes to an hour to be seated... and it went on all night! Many left without eating.

Chad had put a big jar at the end of the table where we were, simply marked Molly's Trust Fund. By the end of the evening it was stuffed with cards, checks and cash... you truly are the most generous people in Florida!!! Even the servers at Chili's gave in excess of $100 to the fund. We, the Doyal's and the Schoppa's are blessed to have friends like YOU!

On behalf of Molly she thanks you for all the wonderful support. That was therapy worth a million bucks!