“LIFE IS SHORT – LAUGH HARD”
One size purple silicone bracelets inscribed with “LIFE IS SHORT - LAUGH HARD”
Cost: $2 each (cash or check payable to Mary Beth’s Angels Foundation, $1 charitable contribution)
Click HERE for store locations selling the bracelets and HERE for a mail in order form.
Proceeds benefit Mary Beth’s Angels Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to
promote a positive environment for underprivileged children, concentrating on specific areas
of need in our community including hunger, cleanliness, education, and illness.
Mary Beth’s Angels Foundation was created for the benefit of underprivileged children in mid-January 2001. It is designed to live out the lifelong dream of the most courageous and faith-filled person we know, Mary Beth Ricken. Mary Beth fought her battle with grace and dignity over the course of her 15-month illness before leaving us during her freshman year of high school at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis. She accomplished many things in her short life but did not realize her dream of helping these children before cancer took her life on January 23, 2001 at the age of 15 years, 1 month, and 16 days.
The week before Mary Beth died, we created the mission statement with her specific input to assist children in the areas of hunger, cleanliness, education and illness. She was very humbled, yet excited that some of her life’s goals would become a reality. She wanted to be assured that assistance was provided to all children in need, not just those with cancer.
She accepted the role God planned for her without ever complaining about her condition. MB had a smile that would light up any room, a contagious laugh that brought a smile to all who heard it, and a tremendous sense of humor. At age nine she adopted her personal motto of “Life is Short, Laugh Hard!” and lived it every day.
Above all, she had a warm heart of compassion for all who were less fortunate that she. Her long term plans included becoming a pediatric oncologist focused on treating children with cancer and researching to find a cure. She wanted to volunteer her time assisting underprivileged children in the community.
We truly are blessed to have your generous support that enables us to improve the lives of many children. We invite you to read about our work at www.marybethsangels.org and about Mary Beth at www.ricken.org.
The inspiration for the purple bracelet came from Mary Beth's love for the color purple, the Lance Armstrong Foundation 'LIVESTRONG' bracelets and from Mary Beth's friend Katy Erker. After Mary Beth left us, Katy, a St. Joseph's Academy classmate of MB's, started wearing the purple rubber bands found on bundles of asparagus in the grocery store as a way to honor Mary Beth. Several other SJA Angels followed suit and soon there was a run on asparagus.
Wear your purple bracelet and remember that life is short, so laugh hard. May God continue to bless each and every one of you and may he look over our efforts and continue to provide guidance in assisting his children.