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Gonzo Charity - Oct 3, 2004 - Printable Version
- Toby Keith Turns Oklahoma City Concert into Toy Drive
by Mark Faulk
It's been just over a year since Allison Webb passed away, one month short of her third birthday, from a form of kidney cancer called Wilm's tumor. But, thanks to the continuing efforts of her parents, Scott and Linda Webb, and with a huge helping hand from their good friends Toby Keith and Tricia Covel and dozens of other volunteers, Allison's star continues to shine, lighting the way for other children and their families facing similar situations. The Webbs have faced more trials and tribulations that most of face in a lifetime over the past few years. The passing of Allison was followed closely by Linda's own batlle with an unrelated form of cancer, which landed her in the hospital during the "Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic" fundraiser, which helped to raise over $250,000 for Ally's House. Even so, Linda managed to talk her way out the hospital long enough to speak at the Charity Reception. (You can read about the fundraising event at http://www.faulkingtruth.com/Articles/GonzoCharity/1002.html )
Since then, they have remained dedicated to their cause, and Ally's House has benefited from the generousity of Toby's fans as well. According to the website: "Many members of the Toby Keith International Fan Club have rallied behind Ally's House with shipments of these types of items and a large number of Beanie Babies collected at pre-concert shows In July, Ally's House made its first delivery of toys, games, puzzles, hats, videos and other items to the Jimmy Everest Clinic at Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City."
"We unloaded boxes of items to be used in the cancer ward playrooms, as well as the outpatient clinic. The kids spend hours in these places getting chemotherapy. Now they have more items to play with and use to make it as easy as possible," said Scott Webb, Ally's dad and Ally's House board member. "When Ally had treatment here, she played with every toddler toy and watched every toddler video they had. We wanted to replenish their current supply and get a variety of things for all age groups, including teens." Ally's House is also forwarding donated items as they are received. So far, this includes coloring books, crayons, toys, hats and pre-paid phone cards
I recently contacted Linda Webb, in part to offer my help on upcoming events for Ally's House, but also because I was hoping for positive news about Linda's battle with cancer. After I received her reply, I felt compelled to share it with those who have followed her story, and who I'm certain have prayed for her recovery. I asked her it I could share her email with our readers, and her reply was exactly what I would have expected from her: "Fine with me - make sure you make it clear that I'm giving the glory to God." Consider it done, Linda, but forgive me for giving just a bit of the credit to your courage and unflagging spirit, and to those around you who have stood by you throughout your trials and tribulations. So, here is the next chapter in the Webb's remarkable story, in Linda's own words:
Mark,
Things are going well. We're praising God that I am in remission. Still have to finish up the chemo, but then I'll be done. We'll keep you in mind for future Ally's House events for sure. We're hoping to do a lot for the kids during the holiday season. I'm busy with administrative chores like getting our forms ready for families to apply for assistance. We're a few days away from printing the applications and I"m excited about that.
Loved the article!
Linda Webb
And again, in her typical style, when she gave me permission to reprint her email, she also promoted the latest efforts by Ally's House to assist those who need it the most: the children stricken with cancer, and the families who love and care for them. Here is the press release she sent me, which details their current toy drive to be launched in conjunction with Toby Keith's October 17th concert in Oklahoma City. And, in our typical style, we'd like to take it a step further and again challenge Toby's legion of loyal fans to send in their toys or monetary donations to Ally's House. The address and a link to the site can be found at the bottom fo this article.
When fans show up for Toby Keith's Oklahoma City concert next month, the country music superstar is hoping they'll have more than just a ticket in their hands. Keith is using the concert as an opportunity to mount a toy drive for Ally's House, the charitable foundation he helped launch. Prior to the concert on October 17th, fans can drop off toys in one of several bins in front of the Ford Center to help make this holiday season a little bit brighter for children with cancer.
Fans are encouraged to bring a new toy to the designated collection stations. The charity is in most need for games, puzzles, videos and other activities for patients. Said Linda Webb, director of Ally's House and mother of Allison Webb (for whom the foundation is named), “These items will be given to pediatric cancer patients at Children's Hospital at the Oklahoma University Medical Center. Two patients will win a drawing for tickets to the show and passes to meet Toby. We will also be accepting monetary donations at the show."
Ally's House is named for Allison Webb, daughter of Keith's friends and original band mate Scott Webb and his wife Linda. Ally died in August 2003, one month short of her third birthday, from a form of kidney cancer called Wilm's tumor. About 90-100 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in Oklahoma, with the majority of patients receiving treatment at OU Medical Center.
Ally's House helps Oklahoma kids with cancer and their families, assistingthem with medical and day-to-day expenses, from travel costs to overdue bills, food and clothing. The foundation also plans to build an Ally's House facility near the OU Medical Center to house patient families, many of whom must travel across the state to seek medical care.
Adds Webb, "Having Toby behind us from the beginning has allowed us to start on a much larger scale than we could have alone. Being Ally's mom, I feel strongly about this project and I'm proud of the way her life is having an impact. We all want our life to count. Ally's life is making a big difference."
Ally's House is a 501 (c) corporation. Donations can be sent to: Ally's House, P.O. Box 722767, Norman, Oklahoma 73070. www.allyshouse.net
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