Geheren family thanks SMU community
The following letter was written to the Saint Mary’s community by the Geheren family, this year’s recipients of the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance.
We wanted to write to try and express our appreciation for everything you did for us over the past weekend. As beneficiaries of the ninth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, our lives have truly been touched. We already felt blessed that we have been able to adopt three beautiful children (in addition to the one we raised at SMU), but to be associated with such a special event is remarkable.
The eight plus years we spent in Winona as students and employees of Saint Mary’s have been the most influential time we have had. Our values and family ideals were created on campus. All of the wonderful teachers, staff, hall directors, friends and co-workers we had the opportunity to meet, helped us grow into the people and family we currently are. We will always be grateful for the influence Saint Mary’s has had on us as we try to live Lasallian lives.
The benefit was an eye opener for us. As we have mentioned, we do not see what we are doing as anything special. We wanted more children and believed that we were capable of being caretakers for children with special needs. Last weekend opened our eyes to the possibility that maybe we can influence others to do things that seem small in our lives but can have a bigger impact in the world.
The benefit itself is a wonderful event that is supported by the university. In addition to supporting a wonderful family in the Richmonds, there are many other people and families associated with Saint Mary’s that receive a great benefit as well. I know our entire extended family was very positively affected by the entire experience. Also, the benefit is a great opportunity for all of the students who participate in the planning an execution of the event. We hope and pray that Saint Mary’s will continue to support this fantastic cause.
Finally, we would like to say that we have never been more proud to say we are graduates of Saint Mary’s University. We hope that someday we can help “pay it forward” to other Saint Mary’s families and that everyone at SMU understands the profound impact they had on the Geheren family.
Love, the Geherens — Bill, Mia, Michael, Tommy, Charlie and Danny
