Page 66 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 66
heart to heart The life you love
Keeping Kindness Alive
in our Hearts is waiting for you
by Karen Coney Coplin
N ext month, this column will celebrate its 5th anniversary!
Since 2010, I’ve written about wonderful and caring people
and organizations. Most of these charitable organizations
have “sticks and bricks” locations in our city or nearby.
This month, my subject takes a slightly different path as I focus on an
organization, or movement, which is located, largely, online. The “Shea-
Shea Shines On Kindness” honors a young girl who is nestled securely
in the hearts of those who knew her, heard her story, or - timely still, are
now hearing her story: the legacy of Shea Juliet Maurer, a Naples girl
who died in a tragic accident in November, 2012.
Her mom, DeAnna Testasecca, and DeAnna’s good friend, Patty
Gahan, met as members of the Naples Moms’ Club, and forged a solid
friendship over the years. DeAnna and Patty want you to know that
Shea was a vibrant, happy child who loved the Red Sox, country music,
the color purple, St. Patrick’s Day, and rainbows.
PATTY TOLD ME
“As an affirmation of Shea’s life, I founded the Shea-Shea Shines At Moorings Park or Moorings Park at Grey Oaks
On Kindness movement a few months after Shea’s death. In a powerful
display of putting one foot in front of the other despite heart-crushing
grief, DeAnna embraced the effort, and now we work side-by-side
doing acts of kindness, both random and targeted, in Shea’s memory.” -A $250-$1000 donation would cover the cost of a big kindness
The Shea-Shea Shines On Facebook page documents the organization’s project, such as the Mother’s Day project.
works: https://www.facebook.com/shea.shea.shines.on Another example would be their participation in the Naples Saint
In about a year and a half since its inception, Shea-Shea Shines Patrick’s Day parade for which they needed to pay the entry fee, and
On, with the help of donations and support from its 600+ followers, cover the cost of supplies - 2000 Shea-Shea “kindness cards” - these
has performed hundreds of acts of kindness for hundreds of people are printed with Shea’s own artwork to assist people in doing random
across the country. This past Mother’s Day, for example, we undertook acts of kindness – plus water bottles and balloons. If you would like
a special project honoring bereaved mothers - a project to affirm and to receive some of these cards to pass along as you perform an act of
remember the lives of other children who, like Shea, have passed away. kindness, please email Patty at: Pattygahan@gmail.com.
Dads are included too! Shea’s group has founded an “Honoring There is probably no loss felt so deeply as the loss of a child. However,
the Honorable” project directed at public servant dads. For this project, the loss of any loved one might be felt more deeply in the holiday season.
Shea-Shea Shines On followers treated local firemen and police officer At holidays, there is “family ritual, and the layered memories of year,”
dads to coffee and donuts and other treats in the days leading up to as well as the “sudden small reminders,” as reflected by author Martha Whether you choose to live the life you love at Moorings Park or Moorings Park
Father’s Day. Whitmore Hickman. For those in grief, she shares the following poetic at Grey Oaks, you’ll discover – this is what freedom feels like! The freedom
lines from Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
In the spirit of the holiday season and to memorialize Shea’s
birthday (December 5) as well as what her mom calls her “angelversary,” The yule-log sparkled keen with frost...the quiet sense of something lost. to live, to choose, to grow, to relax. Contact us today about our residential
the date of her passing, November 23, DeAnna has embarked upon the DeAnna shared that she found comfort in moving forward, with options with refundable fees, and discover the true meaning of freedom.
“12 Days of Kindness.” With the end of the year upon us, perhaps you’ll grace and purpose, to help others in grief and in need. To support Shea-
consider participating in this and on 1/14/15 for the Collier County Shea Shines on Kindness, please “Like” this organization on Facebook
“Kindness Awareness Day.” or contact Deanna or Patty via email: deannaandshea@yahoo.comand
Do you want to help spread a little cheer and kindness this holiday pattygahan@hotmail.com.
season and in the new year? Here are some ways to help Shea’s family Shea Maurer would most certainly want you to “Live, love, & laugh”
and friends spread good words and deeds: in the coming new year. Here’s to a happy, healthy, & purposeful 2015.
-A $25 donation covers the cost of assembling a “sunshine box” with
comfort items/toys for a sick child/person. Checks (payable to): “Shea Shea Shines On” can be sent to Jim Testasecca 120 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, Florida 34105 I 239.643.9111 I www.MooringsPark.org
-A $100 donation can be used to fund a bigger kindness act for a CPA, at 2528 SW 31st St., Cape Coral, FL 33914.
particular person. (Such as a ticket to Disney for an impovershed child’s Email Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with ideas for future articles.
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.) Moorings Park is a nationally accredited, nonprofit, Medicare certified community and one
®
66 Life in Naples | December 2014 of the only A+ S&P and Fitch rated Continuing Care Retirement Communities in the country.
Keeping Kindness Alive
in our Hearts is waiting for you
by Karen Coney Coplin
N ext month, this column will celebrate its 5th anniversary!
Since 2010, I’ve written about wonderful and caring people
and organizations. Most of these charitable organizations
have “sticks and bricks” locations in our city or nearby.
This month, my subject takes a slightly different path as I focus on an
organization, or movement, which is located, largely, online. The “Shea-
Shea Shines On Kindness” honors a young girl who is nestled securely
in the hearts of those who knew her, heard her story, or - timely still, are
now hearing her story: the legacy of Shea Juliet Maurer, a Naples girl
who died in a tragic accident in November, 2012.
Her mom, DeAnna Testasecca, and DeAnna’s good friend, Patty
Gahan, met as members of the Naples Moms’ Club, and forged a solid
friendship over the years. DeAnna and Patty want you to know that
Shea was a vibrant, happy child who loved the Red Sox, country music,
the color purple, St. Patrick’s Day, and rainbows.
PATTY TOLD ME
“As an affirmation of Shea’s life, I founded the Shea-Shea Shines At Moorings Park or Moorings Park at Grey Oaks
On Kindness movement a few months after Shea’s death. In a powerful
display of putting one foot in front of the other despite heart-crushing
grief, DeAnna embraced the effort, and now we work side-by-side
doing acts of kindness, both random and targeted, in Shea’s memory.” -A $250-$1000 donation would cover the cost of a big kindness
The Shea-Shea Shines On Facebook page documents the organization’s project, such as the Mother’s Day project.
works: https://www.facebook.com/shea.shea.shines.on Another example would be their participation in the Naples Saint
In about a year and a half since its inception, Shea-Shea Shines Patrick’s Day parade for which they needed to pay the entry fee, and
On, with the help of donations and support from its 600+ followers, cover the cost of supplies - 2000 Shea-Shea “kindness cards” - these
has performed hundreds of acts of kindness for hundreds of people are printed with Shea’s own artwork to assist people in doing random
across the country. This past Mother’s Day, for example, we undertook acts of kindness – plus water bottles and balloons. If you would like
a special project honoring bereaved mothers - a project to affirm and to receive some of these cards to pass along as you perform an act of
remember the lives of other children who, like Shea, have passed away. kindness, please email Patty at: Pattygahan@gmail.com.
Dads are included too! Shea’s group has founded an “Honoring There is probably no loss felt so deeply as the loss of a child. However,
the Honorable” project directed at public servant dads. For this project, the loss of any loved one might be felt more deeply in the holiday season.
Shea-Shea Shines On followers treated local firemen and police officer At holidays, there is “family ritual, and the layered memories of year,”
dads to coffee and donuts and other treats in the days leading up to as well as the “sudden small reminders,” as reflected by author Martha Whether you choose to live the life you love at Moorings Park or Moorings Park
Father’s Day. Whitmore Hickman. For those in grief, she shares the following poetic at Grey Oaks, you’ll discover – this is what freedom feels like! The freedom
lines from Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
In the spirit of the holiday season and to memorialize Shea’s
birthday (December 5) as well as what her mom calls her “angelversary,” The yule-log sparkled keen with frost...the quiet sense of something lost. to live, to choose, to grow, to relax. Contact us today about our residential
the date of her passing, November 23, DeAnna has embarked upon the DeAnna shared that she found comfort in moving forward, with options with refundable fees, and discover the true meaning of freedom.
“12 Days of Kindness.” With the end of the year upon us, perhaps you’ll grace and purpose, to help others in grief and in need. To support Shea-
consider participating in this and on 1/14/15 for the Collier County Shea Shines on Kindness, please “Like” this organization on Facebook
“Kindness Awareness Day.” or contact Deanna or Patty via email: deannaandshea@yahoo.comand
Do you want to help spread a little cheer and kindness this holiday pattygahan@hotmail.com.
season and in the new year? Here are some ways to help Shea’s family Shea Maurer would most certainly want you to “Live, love, & laugh”
and friends spread good words and deeds: in the coming new year. Here’s to a happy, healthy, & purposeful 2015.
-A $25 donation covers the cost of assembling a “sunshine box” with
comfort items/toys for a sick child/person. Checks (payable to): “Shea Shea Shines On” can be sent to Jim Testasecca 120 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, Florida 34105 I 239.643.9111 I www.MooringsPark.org
-A $100 donation can be used to fund a bigger kindness act for a CPA, at 2528 SW 31st St., Cape Coral, FL 33914.
particular person. (Such as a ticket to Disney for an impovershed child’s Email Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with ideas for future articles.
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.) Moorings Park is a nationally accredited, nonprofit, Medicare certified community and one
®
66 Life in Naples | December 2014 of the only A+ S&P and Fitch rated Continuing Care Retirement Communities in the country.
