The Kearneys

Thank you Child Life at MCCH!

2012-01-26T22:18:00.005-06:00

The Child Life Department at Medical City Children's Hospital is awesome! They continually share feedback with me from parents, patients, and staff at the hospital about how much they appreciate Abby's Book Corner. It makes me so happy to know that Abby's gift is helping others. I just received this thank you note in the mail from Margarita, a child life specialist at MCCH. It is signed with heartfelt messages from numerous nurses, doctors, and staff at the hospital. Thank you, Margarita; you are great at what you do!

Abby in Action again!

2011-12-22T11:18:00.005-06:00

Many thanks to the Dallas Cheer Readers Book Club for donating over 100 books to Abby's Book Corner. Also, a wonderful surprise from a high school friend. Her daughter collected books, coloring books, art supplies, and other goodies for the library for her birthday! Thank you!

Beautiful story about Abby's Book Corner in KMAC Newsletter

2011-07-20T22:22:00.005-05:00

This story made me cry. Abby's Aunt Bernice wrote a beautiful story about Abby's Book Corner for the KMAC Newsletter. We've come a long way since our original goal to collect 300 books in the Fall of 2008. We want to thank everyone that continues to support Abby's Book Corner.

Abby's Book Corner in South Texas

2011-04-01T11:06:00.008-05:00

Abby made the newspaper again! Only this time, it wasn't the Dallas newspaper, she decided to make herself known in Seguin, TX. The wonderful 5th grade class at Navarro Intermediate School, led by their teacher, Lisa Barry, collected books for Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas. The story made the Seguin Gazette.

Abby never had a chance to go to school, but she still made the yearbook! The wonderful work by Lisa and her student's warranted a page in their school yearbook. Way to go!

Abby's Book Corner in the news

2011-03-04T10:42:00.003-06:00

I love surprises, especially when it comes to unexpected news about Abby's Book Corner! The Editor's note in today's neighborsgo section of The Dallas Morning News has an update on the success of Abby's Book Corner. We have received thousands of books for Abby's Book Corner, the library at Medical City Children's Hospital. Also, with the help of numerous individuals, we have been able to donate books to the existing libraries at children's hospitals in San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. Hospitalized children throughout Texas are benefitting from books donated in memory of Abby. I am so proud!

Girl Scouts deliver 1,000 books to Abby's Book Corner!

2011-02-24T13:22:00.004-06:00

Wow! I am happy to report that the 5th grade girl scouts at my former elementary school delivered 1,000 books to Abby's Book Corner on Saturday. We are so excited that the girls selected ABC as their service project. I wish that I could report a grand total of books collected since we began; however, I lost count after we passed 10,000 books! Our original goal was 300 books. I am very happy that community groups and individuals continue to supply the hospital library with books in memory of Abby. She would be proud, I am sure. Please be sure to contact us if you wish to hold a book drive. Thanks!

Abby in Action

2010-12-14T09:59:00.006-06:00

It has been a few months since we posted any updates, but book drives for Abby's Book Corner have not stopped. We continue to receive donations from numerous individuals and organizations for all of the cities in which we have donated books. We just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone that continues to keep Abby's memory alive by donating books. We are very excited to have collected thousands of books (yes, thousands!) since we began the book drive in 2008. The hospitals are continuously in need of books, so please contact us if you are interested in donating books or hosting a book drive. Thank you again to all of those that have donated. We think, "Abby in Action" each time we receive a donation of books. Happy Holidays!

Will and Mary

Special thanks to the Houston media

2010-07-13T19:39:00.001-05:00

The Houston media has been very supportive of Abby's Book Corner - Houston!

We want to take the time to thank 1560 The Game KGOW for giving Abby's Book Corner a full week of coverage concluding with an afternoon live remote book drive event! (Thanks to Chance McClain, David Nuno and Ken Hoffman)

Also thanks to KPRC Local 2's Dominique Sachse and Jennifer Reyna for their support.

http://www.abbysbookcorner.com/houston.php

How to donate books in Houston - Amy's Ice Cream

2010-06-30T19:18:00.000-05:00

Good news. We have a new Abby's Book Corner drop off location in Houston - Amy's Ice Cream!

We found a great spot located close to the center of Houston. Amy's Ice Cream has a drop off box right near the door.

Stop by, drop off a bunch of books and enjoy some of the best ice cream in town! SEE THE POSTER

3816 Farnham Street
Houston, TX 77098-4002
(Near Highway 59 between Shepherd and Greenbriar - Houston)
(713) 526-2697

Click here for a map

If you don't have any books to donate, you can order some for us through the Amazon Houston Wish List. You buy the book and it gets shipped right to us.

* The Houston book drive is in progress collecting materials for the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Houston drive is now collecting

2010-06-26T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Houston drive is now starting to collect books for the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

We have an Amazon Wish List set up for Houston on this page with more information on what is needed.

Check back soon for details on book drop off locations.

The library at Medical City is officially open!

2010-04-10T11:36:00.009-05:00

Yesterday we celebrated the grand opening of Abby's Book Corner, the children's library at Medical City Children's Hospital. It was especially significant because yesterday would have been Abby's 3rd Birthday. We had a great turnout and the story ran on all four local news stations. We would like to thank everyone who contributed books or monetary donations to help turn this goal into a reality. It is the perfect tribute to our beautiful daughter, Abigail. We look forward to additional book drives and events to keep the shelves stocked.

We are also happy to be expanding Abby's Book Corner by making book donations to other hospitals that have a need. We still need your support! Please visit our website to learn how to donate. Thank you.

Watch CBS 11 News 10pm on Monday 3/29

2010-03-24T14:29:00.005-05:00

Stuart Boslow, the special projects producer at CBS 11 in Dallas, interviewed Will and I about Abby's Book Corner. The story will air on Monday, March 29th at the 10pm newscast. Be sure to tune in!

San Antonio Book Drop-Off a Success!

2010-03-21T22:13:00.007-05:00

Abby's Book Corner has come to San Antonio! On March 15th, we dropped off 1,447 books, DVDs, crayons, and coloring books to Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas. The books were collected from groups such as BMPR, Adventure Club, Girl Scout Troop 2583 at St. Gregory The Great, and from many extended friends and family. We are looking forward to the next book drive at Providence High School in April.

Library Dedication Date Set!-4/9/10

2010-02-05T20:43:00.006-06:00

Save the Date: Please join us on April 9, 2010, for the Grand Opening of Abby's Book Corner at Medical City Children's Hospital. Building D, 6th Floor at 10am.

Stamp the Book Party for Abby's Book Corner

2010-01-01T20:05:00.013-06:00

We would like to send out a big thank you to Celina and Vicki at the Purple Cow for hosting a Stamp the Book Party for Abby's Book Corner. Also, our thanks goes out to the National Charity League of Richardson for assisting us in labeling the books. Of course we could not do any of this without the support of our family.

To see the slideshow, please click here.

NBC5 interview

2009-12-07T21:27:00.004-06:00

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/video.

Here is the video of our interview with Lindsay Wilcox at KXAS-NBC5. Our thanks go out to the MCCH staff and to NBC5 for sharing Abby's story.

New Photos of Library!

2009-11-10T20:44:00.004-06:00

Book Drive Nov 1st-14th!

2009-10-01T20:53:00.010-05:00

We will be holding this Fall's Book Drive November 1st- 14th. We are participating with several stores at Preston Royal Village. Purple Cow will offer a free shake to those that bring in books. Other participants include Larry North (free month with book donation), Cotton Kisses, & Baskin Robbins (free scoop of ice cream with book donation). Please visit Abby's Book Corner website to view a full list of participants. As always, purchases may be made on Abby's Wish List on Amazon.com at any time.

Update to Abby's Book Corner

2009-09-03T21:45:00.009-05:00

Today I visited the room that is to become Abby's Book Corner at Medical City. Renovations have already started! We selected the furniture that will be purchased: bookcases and a children's table and chair set.

We are also getting ready for this year's book drive. The books we collect this year will again go to Medical City and a small number will also go to Medical Center of Plano, an affiliate hospital of Medical City!

Here is what is needed:
New children's books, chapter books for teens, books in Spanish, pop-up books, large print books, books in Braille , coloring books, crayons, journals, DVDs, books on CD, and perhaps some books for the parents!

Books may be purchased from Abby's Wish List from Amazon.com. We also plan on having several book collection events with various organizations. I will post details as soon as they are confirmed.

St. Thomas Aquinas Vacation Bible School

2009-07-01T20:00:00.005-05:00

Will and I would like to thank the students and volunteers at this year's St. Thomas Aquinas Vacation Bible School. This year's VBS was held June 15-19th and the service mission was to collect books for Abby's Book Corner. The VBS kids collected 400+ books! Will and I are so happy that even more people had an opportunity to learn about Abby as well as help out the patients at Medical City Children's Hospital by donating books.

Books, Books, and More Books!

2009-03-31T14:45:00.004-05:00

Many thanks to Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, TX that donated 475 books to Abby's Book Corner in March. Since the publication of Abby's Story in The Dallas Morning News, many wonderful people have continued to donate books to the library. We are also extremely thankful for former First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush, who donated her book, Read All About It! as well as her daughter Jenna's book, Ana's Story. At last count, we are close to 2,200 books collected since November!

Medical City is in the process of renovating the room that is to become Abby's Book Corner. There will be a sign at the entrance that says, "Abby's Book Corner". We hope to have a formal dedication ceremony later this year. Many of the books are already being put to use and providing comfort or entertainment for the patients of Medical City.

Will and I wish to thank everyone again for helping us make Abby's Book Corner a reality.

Book Drop-Off a Success!

2009-03-10T07:02:00.017-05:00

On Thursday, March 5th, Will and I dropped off over 1700 books and other items to Medical City. The ceremony was very nice and there was a large turn-out. We also got to see the space where Abby's Book Corner will be located. We will have a separate ribbon-cutting ceremony when the renovations are complete. Will and I would like to thank everyone that helped make Abby's Book Corner Book Drive a success. Most importantly, we would like to thank our daughter, Abby, as she motivated and inspired us to create a lasting legacy in her memory. It is our hope that the patients and their families at Medical City can benefit from these books. These books won't make them get better, but if it can take their mind off their pain or stress and bring a smile to their face for a few moments, then it is worthwhile.

We will continue to collect books for Abby's Book Corner. Books may be purchased from Abby's Wish List on Amazon.com. Additionally, monetary donations may be made to help sustain the library to Medical City Foundation in memory of Abigail Kearney.

Date for Book Drop-off set!

2009-03-03T10:43:00.006-06:00

This Thursday, March 5th, we will finally be dropping off the books at Medical City. There will be an actual presentation of the books. The event begins at 10:00am and will be located in the lobby of Building D.

We will present the books and then tour the children's hospital, as well as the room that is to become Abby's Book Corner. Our most recent count has us up to 1700 items collected for Abby's Book Corner.

Cistercian Prepatory School also plans to collect books next Sunday, March 8th, for Abby's Book Corner. Our original goal was to collect 300 books.

Will and I are so touched by everyone's generosity and excitement over the success of this endeavor. We will post pictures of the event and more details on Thursday.

Thanks!

Update on the Book Drive

2008-12-14T23:37:00.007-06:00

Will and I have been so touched by everyone’s support for the Book Drive. To date, we have collected nearly 1,000 books for Medical City Children’s Hospital! We have extended the book drive through the 31st to allow more time for people to bring in books that wish to donate. We will continue to raise funds as well, and have raised several thousand dollars for the hospital.

We had a “Stamp the Book” party today where our friends and family helped us apply labels to the books that said, “Donated in Loving Memory of Abigail Kearney”.

We have been amazed at the attention the book drive has received. We were interviewed by Rebecca Aguilar and the story was published on Pegasusnews.com. Here is the link:
A Dallas baby’s death inspires giving — one book at a time

Abby's Book Corner - Book drive benefiting Medical City

2008-11-18T12:25:00.030-06:00

In light of what has happened, Will and I really wanted to do something for Abby. We didn’t know what. I have researched many of the national and international organizations on meningitis. So many of them exist to get the word out about getting vaccinated. Well, that didn’t save our daughter because she was vaccinated, so while important, this isn’t the message that we felt that we needed to spread.

There are 91 strains of the s. pneumoniae bacteria and Prevnar, the vaccine, protects you against only 7 of these strains. My alternative was to support the development of a vaccine that covers all 91 strains. Dr. Richard Malley at Children’s Hospital of Boston is actually working on this endeavor. In my whole life, I will never raise enough money to make a dent in this research because when it comes to development of a new vaccine, that is pharmaceutical R&D money. That is billions of dollars (not just millions). So we figured we could do something else to help others in Abby’s memory.

Abby loved her books. We read to her just about everyday of her life. We still read to her, as we go to the cemetery daily and read stories. While she was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), we wanted to read books to her, but there were none available. My sister-in-law, Bernice, had to go down to the gift shop and buy some books. This is a children’s hospital and it is unbelievable that there is no children’s library! So I made a few phone calls to Medical City, and they have agreed to let us host a book drive, Dec 1st-31st to collect new children’s books to supply the PICU. Any money raised in memory of Abby will go toward the Child Life Department at Medical City Children's Hospital.

We will mark each book donated in memory of Abigail Kearney. We also setup a wish list for Abigail Kearney on Amazon.com that will allow people to select a book from the registry to ship directly to us. Any monetary donations should be made directly to Medical City Children's Hospital in memory of Abigail Kearney. Alternatively, Will or I will collect checks made out to Medical City and ensure that the money is delivered. All donations are tax-deductible. Links to the official flier, the wish list, and the Medical City Foundation are available to the left.