He was induced and premature due to my being so sick with tons of complications. We only have very eldery parents. Chris' father died when Korben was three months old and mine the day after Korbens second birthday. I know he held on to make it past his birthday, but could hold on no longer. So we didn't have much baby stuff as I was in and out of the hospital in Charlotte and when I wasn't admitted, we were at the hospital two to three times a week so the doctors could keep an eye on both of us. Everyone was so awesome to us as they could tell what Korben meant to us... Everything. Chris was by my side every second of everyday. After about two weeks I was well enough to go home so we made the trip, exhausted, shaking and weak not having a clue how we were gonna make it. A lady from our church met us at home and had a van load of baby things! Learning who all the new things were from we learned about Matthew. Matthew Pannell was the only child of Joni and Cosmo Pannell who died in his sleep on October 2 2011 at age 24 at home with his parents. They took their grief , sadness, devastation and created the " Matthew Pannell Shining Star Foundation" ( their page on facebook) to keep his memory alive and to help others. They had heard from our church that Korben was born on October 2 2013 . I was told they jumped to provide us with essental baby items including toys and supplies.... Amazing. I won't lie it made me cry and it still does when I tell both our storys . I wasn't even sure if Korben or I was gonna make it.. God decided and we did with His Grace. I prayed all the time and still do. I am greatful beyond words for Korben and I know God shines on us, especially Korben. All children are gifts from God and I wish everyone understood that but they don't. So after seeing the need in our County with our own eyes we came up with the idea of the toy drive and what better way to honor Matthew than to not only pay it back but to pay it forward. Get as many toys as possible for other children who are not as blessed as Korben. After all children do not choose who they are born to and might have hardworking parents but its expensive just to live much less anything else. The Matthew Pannell Shining Star Foundation gives the toys out at Christmas after having a huge wrapping party, check out their facebook page and offer to help! All toys stay in Rutherford County NC. Reminder you don't need to have small kids to donate. Churches, businesses and anyone is welcome to come to the toy drive and drop off toys and see kids have fun and play,
Thanks to everyone who helped last year and to all the ones this year... Hope to see you there! Saturday September 30 2017 11 am to 8 pm!
