I’m borrowing space to share about a person who means a lot to me, I don’t think Barry Manilow will mind!
Wouldn’t you love to win a trip for two to Las Vegas; airfare within the United States, two nights stay in a beautiful suite at THE Hotel, a $100.00 Visa gift card and two tickets to the Katy Perry show? You can’t win it if you don’t enter!
All you have to do is visit http://www.scrnet.org/VegasEscape2011, follow the easy directions and you’ll be entered. Entry is free, but I think after your learn a little bit about the wonderful man, Marcus Mitchell, who’s offering this fantastic, you’ll want to make a donation on behalf of Stomach Cancer research.
Pssst Barry Manilow fans, you’ll be in Vegas for two nights, put the gift card towards the purchase of tickets to one of the last few shows Barry will be doing at the Paris!
As has been the case with people I’ve met who have touched my life in the past four years, Barry Manilow is the reason I became aware of Mr. Mitchell. Several months ago “GuyNSinCity” was giving away tickets to a Manilow show at the Paris to a random person who’d retweet the tweet!
I figured it was a guy having some fun with extra tickets he came upon or perhaps couldn’t attend the show and didn’t want to leave empty seats. But true to my curious nature, I did some research. Visiting his web-site I discovered he gives away goodies and tickets to events in Vegas all the time. The reason he does this, touched my heart!
On Twitter Marcus Mitchell is “GuyNSinCity”. To his beautiful son, he’s Daddy; to his late wife he’s an epitome of strength and courage raising their young son alone, while keeping her memory very much alive. To me and thousands of others, he’s become a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that in each moment we’re on earth, there lies an opportunity to lend a hand to those around us.
Marcus and his wife used to enjoy all life had to offer in Vegas. Sadly, just months after the birth of their son, the women he calls his “soul mate”, lost her life at the young age of 38 to stomach cancer. His world grew dark and cold with her untimely death. What he does in his wife’s honor, to help him get back to light, is one of the most genuine, unselfish testaments to undying love I’ve ever heard. He began “Paying it Forward”, where by he gives others the opportunity to enjoy the events they once had fun sharing as a couple. In explaining why, Marcus states “I think about her bright personality and generous ways… it brings the kindness back into my heart”.
If any possible good can come from this young women’s unreasonable death, it will be by way of the example Marcus is for the world, most importantly for their son. And through the tremendous work of Stomach Cancer Relief, which he created and is CEO of, also in memory of his wife, with God’s help, another young wife and mother might be spared.
Follow Marcus on Facebook and on Twitter I hope his story will touch your life as it has mine. Enter the contest, support this wonderful cause, and most of all let the inspiration of his “Paying It Forward” open your heart as you see how even the simplest act of kindness can mean so much to so many!
PS: I want to share that it was because of this kind and generous man, who gave me two nights at a beautiful hotel in Vegas, I was able to spend my birthday weekend seeing two of Barry Manilow’s shows at the Paris. Now more than ever, I am eternally grateful!