We are thrilled to announce an unprecedented partnership with Sunshine on a Ranney Day for the 2014 "Ride to Give" from NY to GA. SOARD is a GA based 501(c)(3) charity who does amazing room & home makeovers for children with long-term illnesses.

Last year our co-founder Dave Nazaroff rode 900 miles by bicycle to benefit Tripp Halstead Updates, raising $180,000 along the way. We are eager to head south again and want to introduce you to this year's cause family:

Callie Madison Truelove was born on June 27, 2003, by emergency c-section due to her dropping heart rate. At two months old and after several trips to the hospital for choking and non responsive spells, she was transported to Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. There her parents Tabitha and Keith were told Callie had a heart murmur, WILLIAMS SYNDROME, and numerous other medical conditions. After consulting with doctors to discuss her medical issues, they were told that her conditions were very severe and that they had done all that they could do. They were told to take Callie home, love her and spend every minute like it was the last. They said Callie wouldn't live to see her first birthday.

After being heartbroken by her diagnosis, but completely trusting their faith, Tabitha and Keith took Callie home to meet her three sisters and to start living their "new normal." Little did they know their beautiful Callie would teach them so much about life, and bring them so much joy over the years. Callie is now 10 and struggles everyday with the simplest of tasks. Functioning on a 5 year old level, Callie does not read or write and MUST be watched every minute of every day. She has never slept through the night. She has moderate intellectual disability but is very verbal.

Williams Syndrome children have an overly friendly personality referred to as a "cocktail personality." They are extremely gregarious and "have never met a stranger" which can be a bad thing. Callie has no fear of anything at all and no concept of day to day dangers. She has the ability to hold very detailed, thoughtful conversations but does not always understand the meaning of the words she is using or context. She struggles following one step direction and staying on task. Even though she suffers day to day from seizures, high blood pressure, her heart condition, balance issues, body and spatial awareness, asthma, anxiety, and meltdowns, Callie never complains. She recently went through her first open heart surgery to repair part of her aorta. Relying on her unwavering faith, Callie remained positive throughout.

For the rest of her life she will need the constant care of her parents and/or a specialized living facility for adults with Williams. Callie's mom Tabitha writes, "She has taught us to love unconditionally, love like there is no tomorrow, live life to the fullest, help everyone and anything, and see the good in all situations, no matter what happens." One of Callie's doctors said she reminds him of what a rainbow looks like. She is a miracle and a true ray of light.

Sunshine on a Ranney Day will be building Callie a safe therapy/play room above the family garage complete with therapy equipment and a jungle theme, and give her a full bedroom "butterfly" makeover. Ride to Give will fund the project with a little left over for Callie's care, and Dave will ride over 900 miles to Gainesville, GA to deliver the check. His 5-6 day ride will culminate with SOARD at Callie's home reveal on July 12.

Please join us as we fundraise for the next 5 weeks to reach our goal, and follow Dave and crew when he embarks from Nyack, NY on July 6. We have fallen in love with Callie Truelove, and know you will too.

Please follow Callie's story on facebook at A Look into Callie's Heart and make your tax deductible donation here.