Dear Mr. Stedman and AAD

      Good evening everyone, I can see you all are in a festive spirit even though the weather outside is frightful.
      My name is Karen Tanaka, and my daughter Lori is a student athlete. She really wanted to be here tonight but, because she is a student, she has finals this week and because she is an athlete, she has basketball practice today. My husband and I are so grateful for all that Stedman and AAD has done for Lori. Our relationship with all of you started before Lori’s junior year in high school. We signed up with NCSA, the National Collegiate Scouting Association. She received so many letters of interest. I have a picture of the back of our living room with all of her letters and correspondence with all the many colleges that had contacted her. I call it the NCSA central!
      Through NCSA, AAD chose Lori for the first student athlete award. Wow! What an evening that was. We had the pleasure of being seated with Abe Thompson’s table. Talk about warm and inviting. When Lori went up to receive her award, Abe jumped up and cheered her on saying Whoo, whoo, whoo as he twirled his napkin in the air. It was so fun that evening. We felt so special. I really think that all of this helped Lori get into The University of Chicago.
      It is because of all of you that AAD helps guide children in the right direction. Supporters and volunteers like you have made this such a wonderful organization. Lori and I have been given the chance to give back to AAD. We volunteered at the Celebrity Golf Outing. Laura, Stacy, James and all you others made us feel like we were part of your family. Lori and I hope to continue our relationship with AAD.
      Alicia, you work so hard to organize all of these fabulous events and still have time to acknowledge my occasional updates on Lori. I consider you a friend. Thank you.
      Now to Stedman, we cannot thank you enough for all that you have unknowingly done for Lori. You don’t realize how you inspire the children even the older children. Lori and I were invited to your last book signing. We arrived early so we had a chance to chat a little bit. I asked her how basketball practice was and if she ever thought that she would start. Lori told me that she will never start. Stedman, when you spoke to the children, you said, “that there isn’t anything that you can’t do. You must have the vision and work hard to achieve it.” The key word was “Vision”. Lori turned to me and said Stedman is a great speaker. I know that what you said that evening, she took to heart. Guess what, Lori has started this season as a starter. Her last year is going to be great! She even made the Dean’s List. We couldn’t be prouder.

So thank you Stedman, NCSA and all of you at AAD.