Life is full of surprises and puzzles.   There are things that grab your attention and your heart, things that feed your inner child, and things that you do because they are the right thing to do – and you get sucked in and can’t escape, and really don’t want to.

For me, that has been the relationship that has grown with Christopher’s Haven, an amazing place families coping with pediatric cancer that provides everything from shelter and support, to distractions and fun.

I first became aware of the Haven when two of my passions collided.  When my beloved Patriots won one of the most epic Superbowls in history against the Seahawks, two of my favorite actors donned their Marvel superhero costumes and settled a bet for charity, with the Haven being a huge beneficiary.

It grew when a good friend and I decided to commit time and money to the Haven by having friends and family sponsor us in a 27 hour Marvel Movie Marathon, and has now involved my CHEN PR family and two years supporting a number of campaigns, including two great #GivingTuesday campaigns.

Which brings me to the latest trap – literally.  Christopher’s Haven’s latest partnership with actor Chris Evans is a contest.  Through donations, fans will have a chance to win an Escape Room adventure with Chris.  Escape rooms are physical games in which players are locked in a room and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles and escape within a set time limit. And whether or not you solve the puzzle, you get to hang with Chris during the event and then for burgers and beer afterward.  It should be a memory for a lifetime.

But time is running out.  The campaign has been circulating on social media for a bit, and today the Haven issued a press release to help drive the final push.  So please, donate and get your entries and chance to get trapped with Chris. And if you’re claustrophobic or have some strange aversion to celebrities or superheroes, consider just donating directly at the Christopher’s Haven website, because it’s the right thing to do.

Read the Christopher’s Haven press release here.

Donate to the Escape with Chris Evans campaign here.

Donate directly to Christopher’s Haven here.

I grew up listening to the world-renowned country singer John Denver. Even though my parents weren’t the traditional country music fans, there was always something special about John Denver. I remember my Mother would play her John Denver eight-track cassette every day. She’d be singing right along with him while tackling her daily tasks and keeping her four kids and husband organized and on schedule.

When my family went on road trips, my Mother would turn off the radio for a bit and she’d start singing John Denver’s song, “Country Roads.” (see full lyrics below) She’d encourage us kids to join in, which my two older sisters and my little brother and I always did. I’m sure my Dad wanted to open his door and jump from the car to escape the homegrown “Torode Chorus” but he would just smile and carry on driving.

John Denver conjures up great childhood memories—be it hearing or singing it in my parents paneled station wagon on that family road trip or within the walls of my cozy childhood home.

Anyway, my brother Mikey (yes, I still call him Mikey and he’s in his 30s) has come across a pretty significant bump in the road in his life. Music, working out and keeping busy has kept him sane throughout a very tumultuous time. A constant in his daily life is listening to “Country Roads.” For him, it instantly lifts his spirits and gives him hope for the future and a vision of peace.

He often plays it for his son (almost 5 years old) and his daughter (age 2). They know the lyrics by heart and jump in to sing along when they hear the song’s intro. His daughter dances as soon as it plays—whether she’s standing or wiggling in her car seat, she flutters like a happy butterfly.

The other night, I got a text message with a recorded file (directly below) from my brother. He sang Country Roads for the kids the night before and recorded it. I thought, how awesome is that! The kids can play that recording if he’s not able to be there at bedtime. When I pressed play, I was blown away as I’ve never really heard my brother sing. He has a pretty good voice especially singing it a cappella.

Just as my siblings and I have fond memories of listening to and singing along with John Denver and of course the chorus leader…my Mother, my brother’s children will also have similar memories. A new generation, same old good “Country Roads” feeling and for my brother, part of the healing process and a new chapter—one that Mr. Denver will be definitely be part of.

 

John Denver – Country Roads

Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue ridge mountain, Shenandoah river,
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

All my memories, gather round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home
country roads

I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home
country roads
Take me home, country roads