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Grit Newspaper Dear Georgie, Georgie, there's something I wanted to say to you personally. Your father and I discussed the possibility that your leg might have to be removed sometime in the future. He told me that it was something that he hadn't discussed with you---thinking you might not be able to handle it. At the time I agreed with him. I honestly thought that such a decision would be too difficult for an 11 year old to make. Based on what I heard in the tape, your father apparently took a chance that was hard for him. He decided the matter with you, your reaction and the trust you apparently placed in him show a maturity uncommon in men three or four times your age. Your courage in the face of such adversity leaves me speechless. Your compassion for others leaves me in awe. Your attitude and love fill me with envy. If more people in this would had half of the qualities of Georgie Stevenson, we would have a heaven on earth. Needless to say, my best wishes go with you always. Have the happiest of Christmases and the brightest of new years, you undoubtedly deserve the finest this life has to offer. Sincerely, Mike Rafferty |
Dear Georgie,
I want you to know and understand that the people of Pennsylvania as well as those here in our local area, are extremely grateful for the tremendous work you've done in collecting funds for muscular dystrophy, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, to name a few. It is only through efforts such as yours that we can ever hope to conquer these diseases. Georgie, as your friends and all those connected with you would agree, we are indeed fortunate to have a person of your caliber in our midst and were all so very proud of you. Your spirit and enthusiasm should serve as a model for everyone, everywhere. In recognition of your many contributions, I am pleased to announce that a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation in your honor is presently being prepared. My deepest appreciation and very best wishes are with you today.
Sincerely,
James Goodman
Dear Georgie,
I've heard about all the things you've been doing to help us win the fight against muscular dystrophy and wanted to send you my love and thanks. I'm sorry I can't be with you and your friends today, but I'll be thinking of you. You're a very special young man, Georgie. May God bless you always.
Sincerely,
Jerry Lewis
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Dear Georgie,
Some of your many friends have told me about the tremendous job you did in raising money for muscular dystrophy. The amounts you were able to raise were truly amazing for a boy of 12. It is people like you on whom our communities rely for so many things. Your unselfish help for others is an inspiration to all of us. I wanted you to know that I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Bill Hutchinson
Your Representative
WRENCH CONNECTION
By Jeff Gromis
Tonight marks the second annual running of the Georgie Stevenson Jr. Memorial
Twin-20 lap Small Block Modified Sportsman events. Georgie was a big racing fan
and a friend to all here at the track. In the same magnitude as he admired the
competitors on the track, they admired him for his courage and his desire to
help others. Georgie was saddled with spinal cancer which necessitated several
operations and chemotherapy treatments. It was not an easy road for this young
man but he always kept a positive outlook.
Despite his own problems, Georgie desired to help others. He collected over
$10,000 over a five-year period to help combat crippling diseases such as
muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. Once within a week after surgery, he
was out collecting donations not for himself, but for others. It is no wonder
the young lad was respected so highly by those he cherished as heroes. And it
was not only our stars who recognized this. Georgie received regular calls from
Mario Andretti and visited several times with Muhammad Ali.
In their eyes and ours, two years ago the real hero left us with his passing.
Tonight the competitors and staff at Big Diamond, as well as the Stevenson
Family, remember and salute this young man's heroics and accomplishments.
Dear Georgie,
As you get older your priorities change, at least that is the way it has been in my life. In recent weeks we have lost a number of friends and that makes you sit back and think. If I want to get all the things done that I have planned, then I had better learn to be patient, enjoy, and take time to smell the roses. And if I do not get them all done, well I guess they were not meant to get done. There was a 12 year old youngster that understood all that better than most of us. Georgie Stevenson was 12 years old when he died of cancer. However he did not spend his short life feeling sorry for himself, he spent it helping others who had more serious problems right up to the end.
Sincerely,
Ernie Saxton
Writer for AARN
