Current News

• Dozens of  “Screamin’ Geese” (aka: The King Farm Swim Team in Rockville, MD) along with dozens of other Rockville, MD citizens plunged into the pool on the morning of July 4 to take part in the inaugural “Mattie’s Heartsong Swim”. Collectively, they swam more than 80 miles and raised more than $15,000 for Mattie’s Foundation! The money will be used both to support the development of the ‘Peace Garden’ area in Mattie’s Park (this is the area where the bronze statue of Mattie will be placed in 2008), and to launch other aspects of Mattie’s Foundation, such as the educational and community programs planned to continue spreading a message of hope and peace ‘around the block and around the world’ as Mattie believed we could, and should. The Heartsong Swim was the cornerstone event during the City of Rockville’s “Mattie Stepanek Week” from July 2 through July 9. Photos of Mattie’s Heartsong Swim will be posted very soon, and a news clip from the event can be viewed at WJLA’s website (the local ABC station) by clicking here: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0707/436632.html  . Information about the Screamin’ Geese can be found at www.kingfarmswimteam.com . For more information about Mattie’s Foundation, go to the Foundation section below.
  
  
• Extra t-shirts from the event with the logo seen here are available. Please e-mail heartsongbooks@aol.com for more information. Proceeds from the sale of these shirts go directly to Mattie’s Foundation.
  
  
• Carlstadt, NJ Mayor Wm. Jay Roseman facilitated a visit from the children in his town who wanted to attend the Mass honoring Mattie’s 3rd anniversary. Facilitated by teacher Michael Mangone, the sixth grade class embraced Mattie’s message of hope and peace across the past school year, communicating regularly with Mattie’s mom as they shared various lessons they had learned. By the end of the school year, the local school board also embraced this way of learning about the world, and included Mattie’s seven books in the curriculum plans for the school district. The district also named their new media center the “Peace Library in Honor of Mattie J.T. Stepanek” and the mayor proclaimed May 22 ‘forevermore’ to be Mattie Stepanek Day, so that for generations to come, people are reminded of a simple, but essential, message of hope and peace. The students saw the posting about the Mass honoring Mattie’s 3rd anniversary, that was to be celebrated in the Parish Center at Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Upper Marlboro, MD on June 24, 2007.  They knew that this is the church where Mattie served as a Minister of the Word and taught children in the Sunday school program, and where parishioners are gathering information for the cause of Mattie’s formal recognition as a ‘saint’ in the Catholic Church. Because school was out of session for the summer, they approached Mayor Roseman for supporting in traveling to Maryland to show their commitment to carrying forward Mattie’s message, and to celebrating the life that he led on earth. Mattie’s mom, Jeni Stepanek, recently visited with the Carlstadt sixth graders in the Washington Street school, to get to know them better through conversation, and to comment on the creative endeavors they have shared with her though the year (one of her favorites was the ‘comparison and contrast essays’ on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mattie J.T. Stepanek). Jeni was VERY surprised when she rolled into the church for the anniversary Mass and saw dozens and dozens of her young friends and their adult escorts sitting there, ready for the celebration! For more information about Holy Rosary, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Memorial Library at this parish, or the magnolia tree planted in his honor, go to “Mattie’s Legacy” further down on this page, and visit www.mostholyrosarychurch.org.  To read one of several articles about Jeni Stepanek’s visit to Carlstadt, go to http://www.leadernewspapers.net/modules.php?name=News&file=
  article&sid=4365 .  
  
  
• The Rosalynn Carter Institute and Johnson & Johnson will be announcing the 2007 recipients of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Intergenerational Caregiving Scholarship. The four $2,000 scholarships offered each year in Mattie’s name support education and program development in various fields of caregiving. This is an ongoing endeavor by the Former First Lady, and one that Mattie proudly supported. Mattie’s mom, Jeni, continues working with Rosalynn Carter on this effort, and chairing the selections committee. During October 2007, Jeni will offer the luncheon keynote during the RCI Caregiving Conference in Americus, GA, where she and Mrs. Carter will recognize current scholarship recipients. For more information go to http://rci.gsw.edu/  .
  
  
• Mattie’s final book --- “Just Peace: A Message of Hope” --- has been chosen as the Gold Medal winner of the 2007 Independent Publisher Book (IPPY) Awards Outstanding Books of the Year competition in the “Peacemaker Category.”  The mission statement for the competition states: "For 24 years our mission at Independent Publisher has been to recognize and encourage the work of publishers who exhibit the courage and creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground, and bring about change, not only to the world of publishing, but to our society. These books exemplify that daring spirit." What a perfect award for Mattie and President Carter's beautiful gift. For more information go to www.independentpublisher.com and click on “Outstanding Book of the Year” or visit http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1156.   

•  “Bark Busters” helps host a dog party for canine friends in new dog park park in Mattie’s Park. Glenda Cohen, from the Montgomery County program, works with Mattie’s service dog “Micah” to help him maintain his good behavior and social skills. For more information about this great organization (they come to your home for training and support!) go to www.barkbusters.com .  (Photo: Micah shows his love to Glenda Cohen, his personal ‘Bark Buster’ friend/trainer).
• USA Today newspaper selected Mattie as one of the “25 people who moved us in the past quarter-century… lives of indelible impact.” The list is part of a series of ‘25’ lists that USA Today is compiling to recognize the 25th anniversary of the publication. Under the headline “Those who Inspired Seen as Real People,” the article begins: “They changed us. They inspired us to do better, be braver. They made us think. They gave us hope. They did what many cannot fathom. One gave up riches as a football star to fight and die for his country. Another won the Tour de France seven consecutive times after chemotherapy and brain surgery. Another emerged not bitter or broken after 27 years in prison for fighting racism, but determined to find peace. They are among 25 people who moved us during the past quarter-century, as selected by the staff of USA TODAY. Many have been famous and influential, but others were regular folks with private lives.” To read the article about Mattie, go http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-28-top25-people-cover_N.htm and to view the list of “25 Lives of Indelible Impact” go to
  http://www.usatoday.com/news/top25-people.htm?csp=34.

Mattie Foundation/Park News

• During spring, 2005, the City Council of Rockville, Maryland unanimously voted to name the new 28 acre park being developed at the intersection of Gaither Road and Piccard Drive in Mattie’s home community the “Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park at King Farm.” Hundreds of people gathered for the groundbreaking celebration in June, 2005, joining city and state government officials, fire fighters, Harley Davidson riders, representatives from local businesses, and neighbors for a great party. In April, 2007, the ‘Dog Park’, basketball and tennis courts, exercise cluster, and walking trail portions of the park officially opened with another celebration.  The Mattie Park is also now home to the largest playground in the City of Rockville, which opened late in June. The lighted football fields, softball field, concession stand, restrooms, pavilion, and other amenities will begin opening later in 2007 and in 2008. The ‘Grand Opening’ of the Mattie Park will take place during spring 2008, when the life-size statue of Mattie and his service dog, Micah, are installed in the ‘Peace Garden’ area of the park. Benches with quotes from Mattie’s books will also be positioned around the garden and the park, and people are still purchasing personalized bricks that will be placed in the Peace Garden. Currently, the cost of sponsoring a brick before the first shipment is ordered and installed is $100. However, after the landscaping design is in place (by fall, 2007), the cost of bricks will increase to $250 per brick (there will no longer be a bulk rate for ordering and installation). For an overview map of the park please visit www.rockvillemd.gov/cip/stepanek-park.gif.
  
  
• In addition to the plans for the local park, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation has been established to continue spreading Mattie’s message of hope and peace through ongoing peace programs, and educational contests in schools and communities. This non-profit organization was created by Mattie’s King Farm neighbors, and is overseen by individuals representing numerous peacekeeping, advocacy, and humanitarian organizations and endeavors.  All officers and members of Mattie’s Foundation volunteer their time and expertise, so that 100 percent of the money donated goes directly towards the materials and programs that grow from the efforts of Mattie’s Foundation. The Foundation has also loaned a number of personal items belonging to Mattie for inclusion in a “Mattie J.T. Stepanek Exhibit” in the new Rockville Public Library, and will be working with schools and businesses, and with organizations like the We Are Family Foundation (www.wearefamilyfoundation.org) and the Children’s Peace Pavilion (www.kidpeace.org) to promote and celebrate peace. One of the main goals of the Foundation will be to make Mattie’s books available to schools and libraries so that children and families have access to his message of hope and peace. A brochure has just been developed explaining ‘Champion’ and ‘Messenger’ Sponsorship Opportunities for the Mattie Foundation. There are no more benches available for sponsorship, but currently, the other categories are still available, and will help support the many goals of the Foundation. For more information, e-mail heartsongbooks@aol.com or write to the Mattie J. T. Stepanek King Farm Foundation at Box 111, 402 King Farm Boulevard, #125, Rockville, MD 20850, or download the brochure here: ---  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROCHURE
  
  

MDA News

• The MDA Mattie Fund was established in June, 2004, in response to Mattie’s death just weeks before his fourteenth birthday. The fund has continued to grow since then, with the money going directly towards research toward cures for childhood neuromuscular diseases that lead to early death, as well as programs that support children with neuromuscular disease (like the MDA Summer Camps). Having raised nearly two million dollars thus far,  the MDA Mattie Fund now sponsors fellowships for research in mitochondrial diseases, such as dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, which is what lead to the deaths of Mattie and his three siblings (Katie, Stevie, and Jamie). Mattie’s mom, Jeni Stepanek, is also affected with an adult onset form of this disease. She was diagnosed with it after all four of her children were born. Her children were diagnosed with the disease shortly after the doctors diagnosed Jeni. The first fellowship was awarded last year to Stefanie Zanssen, a physician-scientist in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University in New York. To raise awareness of this disease and the research efforts, a television documentary looking at Mattie’s life and his role as an advocate for MDA and world peace was filmed at the National Headquarters in Tucson, AZ during 2005. Additionally, Mattie’s mom serves as an MDA National Vice President, speaking about the role of MDA and fundraising efforts at various conferences and events.
  
  
• In addition to specific mailings and fundraising events, a portion of the proceeds of Mattie’s final two books “Reflection of a Peacemaker: A Portrait Through Heartsongs (Andrews McMeel, 2005)and “Just Peace: A Message of Hope” (Andrews McMeel, 2006)go directly to the MDA Mattie Fund. “Reflections of a Peacemaker” is the sixth and final volume in Mattie’s ‘Heartongs poetry’ series. While the first five volumes in the collection (published by Hyperion in 2002 and 2003) each offer three slim chapters of verse, this final volume contains eight lengthy chapters of thematic poetry. Each chapter is introduced by a ‘significant person’ in Mattie’s life (e.g., Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Jimmy Carter, Jerry Lewis, Dr. Murray Pollack, etc), and each chapter contains an introductory essay by Mattie’s mom and a series of theme-related photos of Mattie to set the tone for that section. “Just Peace” is a collection of Mattie’s peace essays, along with much of his e-mail correspondence with Former President Jimmy Carter. The book also contains many photos, some of Mattie’s artwork, and a number of other items from Mattie as he explains his ‘Three Choices for Peace’ and ‘Peace is Possible’ philosophies. To order any of Mattie’s seven books, any of his ‘books on tape’ (his first five books are available as professionally recorded ‘Audiobooks’ read by Mattie), or his music CD with Billy Gilman, please visit www.amazon.com.
  
  
• Other ongoing efforts that benefit the MDA Mattie Fund include: the sale of  “Mattie’s Sunset Ribbons of Hope” and other products available on this website (designed by Mattie’s best friend, Hope Wyatt to honor his advocacy work); Lynnco Custom Cycles and IAFF’s collaboration on “The Peacemaker” motorcycle which represents Mattie’s life and work (visit www.peacemakerbike.com); and, all proceeds from the download or purchase of  Madison Cross’ debut single, ‘He Was Just Like Me’ (a song celebrating Mattie’s life and written by Madison’s father, Grammy and Oscar Award winning artist, Christopher Cross… visit www.madisoncross.com). For more information, send an e-mail to heartsongbooks@aol.com.
  
  
• On March 10, 2007, the 5th Annual Heartsong Gala took place in Washington, DC and raised more than one million dollars for MDA while celebrating ‘a journey to Asia’ and honoring Safeway. The event, originally considered by Mattie to remind people ‘being a part of the effort’ and his philosophy of ‘Remember to play after every storm!’ has grown larger and more successful each year. Each year, guests ‘travel’ to a different world destination, as they are inspired by Mattie’s “I Could… If They Would” poem in which Mattie talks about traveling the world to facilitate hope and peace. Among this year’s 750 guests were political Ambassadors from the United Nations and Goodwill Ambassadors from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Chris Lewis (one of Jerry Lewis’ sons), comedians, dancers, musicians, politicians, MDA National Vice Presidents, business leaders, and many happy and entertained attendees. Plans for the ‘Italian themed’ 2008 event are already underway. Next year’s event 'passport' will take guests through an evening of Italian excitement, with ambassadors and entertainment and cultural cuisine and lots of fellowship. Funds from this event go to programs supporting local children, adults, and families living with neuromuscular diseases, including Camp Maria (MDA Summer Camp), equipment and health services, and research. For information call the Greenbelt MDA Office at 301.486.7680 or  visit www.heartsongsgala.org.
  
  
• The MDA and Harley-Davidson have celebrated more than 25 years of partnership! During the first weekend in May, the 20th Annual “Ride for Life” took place in Reading, PA and raised more than one million dollars for MDA. Nearly 3,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles took part in the parade from East Penn Manufacturing to Dorney Park, many of them with sidecars carrying children affected by neuromuscular disease. In addition, the 3rd Annual Harley Davidson Bull and Oyster Roast to Honor Mattie J.T. Stepanek took place Glen Burnie, MD during March. For more information, contact the Baltimore/Towson MDA office at 410.494.7106 or visit www.mdarides.org.
  
  
• MDA and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have been partners for more than 50 years! Mattie was very close to many of the IAFF locals, and attended events all over the U.S. with his fire fighter family. Many of these locals continue to have fundraisers and Fill-the-Boot campaigns in Mattie's honor. Recently, Mattie's buddies in Greenburgh and Yonkers, NY raised money that went directly to the MDA Mattie Fund, and his local Montgomery County ‘Black Sheep’ made a significant contribution to the Mattie Foundation and Park.
  
  
• Mattie's dear friend, 12 year old Hope Wyatt, has been making thousands of "Sunset Memorial Ribbons" in honor of Mattie's message of hope and peace. Initially, she and her mother created and gave these ribbons out to the thousands of people who attended Mattie's funeral services. Now, these ribbons  (and the Sunset Memorial Bookmarks) hand painted and designed in Mattie's favorite color (sunset) and placed on Mattie's MDA business cards, are being made available at many MDA fundraising events and through Mattie's personal website. All proceeds go directly to the MDA Mattie Fund.
  
  
• Mattie’s mom was very happy to be asked if she would commit to another one-year term as an MDA National Vice President. MDA National Vice Presidents volunteer their time and efforts as “they provide counsel in their areas of expertise and assist the MDA through advocacy and staunch support of its lifesaving programs and activities.”
  
  
• The MDA website is a wonderful resource for information and articles on Mattie's advocacy work, for photos, and for resources related to Mattie's funeral (including a video). Mattie served as a Local MDA Ambassador from 1996 until 2000, as the Maryland State Ambassador in 2001 and 2002, and as the National Goodwill Ambassador from 2002 until his death in 2004. His mother now volunteers and serves as an MDA National Vice President. This website also has a page for direct donations to the MDA Mattie Fund (www.mda.org) .
  

WAFF News

• The 2007 Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award from the We Are Family Foundation was  presented to musician Paul Simon during the Foundation’s annual Gala during April in New York City. Mattie received the first Peacemaker Award from the Foundation in 2002 when it was just being created. After Mattie’s death in 2004, the award was renamed in his honor, and Dr. Maya Angelou was the first recipient during the 2005 Gala. In 2006, Quincy Jones accepted the honor. Also being honored during this year’s event were Dionne Warwick and NYMEX Chairman Richard Schaeffer. The event raised more than one million dollars for WAFF’s towards global tolerance and building ‘We Are Family’ schools in African nations. A portion of this year’s fundraising efforts will also go towards the first annual ‘Just Peace Summit.’ The inaugural event of this global peace initiative is called “Three Dot Dash” and will be held during March, 2008. ‘Three dot dash’ is the Morse code symbol for ‘V’, which is the hand gesture for “PEACE.” The week-long program, inspired by Mattie’s ‘Peace is Possible’ philosophy that resonates in his “Just Peace: A Message of Hope” book, will bring together teens from around the world who will learn about and continue Mattie’s ‘peace buzz’ with various workshops and activities. For more information visit www.threedotdash.org or go to www.wearefamilyfoundation.org.
  
  
• “Mattie’s Movie and Poetry Day” continues to grow in support c/o the Lollipop Theatre Network and the We Are Family Foundation. It was ‘Lollipop’ that brought the latest Harry Potter movie into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (though it was still big in theatres) during Mattie’s last three days of life. Currently, ‘poetry word magnets’ are being created that will become a part of the creative activities during Mattie’s Movie and Poetry Days. For more information go to http://www.lollipoptheater.org or www.wearefamilyfoundation.org.
  

Mattie’s Legacy of Hope and Peace

• Mayor Will Roseman of Carlstadt, NJ has proclaimed May 22 ‘forevermore’ to be “Mattie Stepanek Day” in that area. All flags will be flown at half-mast in honor of Mattie’s efforts towards world hope and peace and his advocacy work. The Carlstadt Public School education board has also named their new school media center the “Peace Library in Honor of Mattie J.T. Stepanek” and has incorporated all seven of Mattie’s books into their curriculum as mandatory reading materials for students. Mattie’s mom recently visited with the Carlstadt sixth graders in Michael Mangone’s classes at the Washington Street school. The class has been interacting with Jeni Stepanek throughout the school year, sharing poetry, ‘comparison and contrast essays’ on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mattie J.T. Stepanek, and other creative endeavors. To read one of several articles about the visit, go to http://www.leadernewspapers.net/modules.php?name=News&file=
  article&sid=4365
  
  
• Hallmark Channel’s “American Morning” program will air an interview with Mattie’s mom and his ‘very favorite adult best friend’ Sandy Newcomb on July 23 at 7 a.m. EST (check local cable listings for Hallmark Channel station). The interview is about ‘everyday people living as everyday heroes.’
  
  
• The children's community theatre near Atlanta, GA will be performing 'Butterfly Summer' during October, 2007. This will be an original play and musical score created largely from Mattie's poetry. More information on the location and dates of this event will be posted soon.  
  
  
• The Children’s Peace Pavilion in Independence, Missouri, where Mattie’s ‘Peace is Possible’ museum exhibit is located, has launched the ‘Peace Champions’ program to help spread the message in Mattie’s Just Peace book. For more information go to www.kidpeace.org. At this site, you can learn more about the new program and about Mattie’s exhibit, and you can view a video clip of Mattie leading 5,000 children in a ‘peace chant’ during May, 2002.
  
  
• Mattie was awarded the Natalie Heinamen Award from the Child Welfare League of America for his advocacy and humanitarian efforts during April, 2005.
  
  
• During 2005, Mattie was recognized by the Peerless Rockville Historical Celebrity Challenge as a local citizen who had made a historical difference for the world.
  
  
• In December 2005, Mattie was honored with the Peacemaker Extraordinaire Award from the Washington Peace Center.
  
  
• Mattie was inducted posthumously into the Kids Hall of Fame during their meeting in New York during October 2006. For more information, go to www.thekidshalloffame.com.
  
  
• Mattie’s mom, Jeni, continues to travel and give speeches at various conferences, hospitals, schools, churches, and organizational events. Her topics range from Mattie’s message of hope and peace to supporting families and professionals who care for children with life-threatening conditions to finding reason ‘to be’ when life is filled with challenges. She is also working with Chris Lewis (one of Jerry Lewis’ sons) on a book about Mattie’s final four years of life.
  
  
• Mattie's friend, Sean Astin, (aka "Rudy" and "the Hobbit Sam" from "Lord of the Rings") remains committed to spreading Mattie's message of hope and peace around the world. He came to see Mattie in the hospital shortly before Mattie died, and promised Mattie that his message of hope and peace would live long. Sean has talked with Former President Jimmy Carter and staff at the Carter Center about this mission, and is a true advocate for this legacy.
  
  
• The effort to have Mattie's name included somewhere in the remaining Harry Potter book was a worthy endeavor. J.K. Rowling responded that she remembers her personal communications with Mattie, and that she has great admiration for his advocacy work. However, she said that she cannot include his name in the book for a number of reasons. Still, cudos to ‘The Quibbler’ staff for their fine work, and for their share in keeping Mattie’s message of hope and peace rippling around the world through such efforts as their essay contest in honor of ‘heroes’ like Mattie and Harry Potter. For more information go to www.heroessaycontest.com  or www.the-quibbler.org.
  
  
• Many people have asked about Mattie’s service dog, Micah.  Micah was trained to do a number of tasks for both Mattie and his mom, and remains a loyal companion and helper to Mattie’s mom. Jeni is rarely seen without Micah, who is always sporting a special bandana related to an organization, event, season, or holiday. At the recent Heartsongs Gala, Micah was a hit with the guests and posed for media photographers in his silky black bandana and his shiny silver tuxedo-tie complete with a ‘Mattie Heartsong’ icon. Micah is also enjoying meeting many new friends at the ‘Dog Park’ section of Mattie’s Park which is right across the street from his home. Photos of Micah, (who Mattie dubbed “MDA’s National Ambassadog” during his own terms as the MDA National Ambassador) are on various websites, including www.mdausa.org.
  
  
•  The committee of Mattie’s peers who are working to support the formal recognition of ‘St. Mattie of Hope and Peace’ has begun presenting information to the Holy Rosary Parish Council and to the Knights of Columbus. This is one of the first steps on the process and journey towards possible sainthood for Mattie. The process is lengthy, but considered worthy, and testimony is already being collected from people around the world whose lives and spirits were, and continue to be, changed and healed and gently touched by Mattie's message of hope and peace. There are even reports (not yet investigated) of miracles in Mattie's name, which are necessary to the process of canonization. Mattie was an active member of Holy Rosary Parish for many years. After making his First Holy Communion and his Confirmation there, he served as a Minister of the Word, a member of the Children's Choir, and taught CCD classes to both second and sixth graders. Fr. Isadore Dixon, Former Pastor at Holy Rosary, has been supporting this informal group, which is led by three of Mattie's peers, Eileen and Maureen Donovan, and Megan Higgins. Volunteers will soon be needed to begin sorting and organizing the thousands of letters Mattie and his mom have received across the years about how Mattie touched the world gently. People of all faiths are invited to join in prayers, both to Mattie, and for Mattie’s sainthood cause. Please feel free to e-mail your thoughts, support, or experiences regarding this effort to either heartsongbooks@aol.com or mattie2bsaint@aol.com.

News Archives
Copyright MDA

• Remembering Mattie
  [6/28/04]

• Teen Poet To Serve Rare Third Term As MDA Amassador
  [10/6/03]

• Mattie Discharged From Hospital
  [5/28/03]

• Heartsongs Gala to Benefit MDA
  [01/08/03]

• Best-Selling Poet to Serve Second Year
  as MDA National Goodwill Ambassador
  [10/23/02]

• Hyperion Publishes Mattie's Third Book
  [04/01/02]

• MDA's Mattie Is Nation's Best-Selling Author
  [01/25/02]

• Hyperion Reissues Mattie's First Two Books
  [01/14/02]