#SophieStrong Memorial Fund
Donation protected
My remarkable and lovely 16 year old daughter, Sophie Marie Varney passed away December 20th, 2020 from complications related to her diagnosis of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and inoperable form of pediatric brain cancer. She touched many lives and her journey with cancer was inspiring to all who knew her and many who had never met her but were familiar with her story.
I am raising money to establish a #SophieStrong Memorial Advised Fund through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. My grand plan will be to accept contributions which initially will be used to fund an annual small scholarship at Western Michigan University for social work students who are interested in medical social work, particularly pediatric oncology.
Additionally, I am hoping to raise funds to construct an outdoor pavilion on the property of AACORN, which is a farm based skill building program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am on the board of directors for AACORN and Sophie and her puppy Rosie had a chance to visit AACORN in the fall of 2020 to carve pumpkins and visit with the pygmy goats.
The plan is to build a gathering center called “Sophie’s Place” where individuals from all walks of life can gather for fellowship and play cards, games, enjoy food and music and share stories. These were all of Sophie’s favorite things and her legacy will be shared and all will know her courage in the face of life’s challenges.
The contributions made to Go Fund Me are not tax deductible. But, once we get the Fund in development set up with a $15,000 minimum at the Foundation then those will be tax deductible and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation will send out acknowledgement letters directly to contributors.
Thanks in advance for any contribution you and your family can provide. We were so blessed to have witnessed her incredible spirit and how she has impacted so many across the world as she fought cancer.
#SophieStrong
#Dipgwarrior
I am raising money to establish a #SophieStrong Memorial Advised Fund through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. My grand plan will be to accept contributions which initially will be used to fund an annual small scholarship at Western Michigan University for social work students who are interested in medical social work, particularly pediatric oncology.
Additionally, I am hoping to raise funds to construct an outdoor pavilion on the property of AACORN, which is a farm based skill building program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am on the board of directors for AACORN and Sophie and her puppy Rosie had a chance to visit AACORN in the fall of 2020 to carve pumpkins and visit with the pygmy goats.
The plan is to build a gathering center called “Sophie’s Place” where individuals from all walks of life can gather for fellowship and play cards, games, enjoy food and music and share stories. These were all of Sophie’s favorite things and her legacy will be shared and all will know her courage in the face of life’s challenges.
The contributions made to Go Fund Me are not tax deductible. But, once we get the Fund in development set up with a $15,000 minimum at the Foundation then those will be tax deductible and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation will send out acknowledgement letters directly to contributors.
Thanks in advance for any contribution you and your family can provide. We were so blessed to have witnessed her incredible spirit and how she has impacted so many across the world as she fought cancer.
#SophieStrong
#Dipgwarrior
Organizer
Mark Varney
Organizer
Kalamazoo, MI