WHAT IF FAMILIES COULD ESCAPE CRITICAL ILLNESS FOR A WEEK ?
Forty years ago , Believe In Tomorrow Children ’ s Foundation started as a fledgling nonprofit with a goal to build and manage pediatric respite and hospital housing for critically ill children . It was the first program of its kind , giving families an opportunity to escape the trauma of diagnoses , hospitals , treatments , and test results .
Ninety percent of the children Believe In Tomorrow serves are pediatric cancer patients .
“ They are very much in need of that bit of normalcy as they are thrown into these lives that are anything but normal ,” says Brian Morrison , founder and president . “ Families can relax and renew their energy as they go through this very stressful time in their lives .”
These respite programs are situated at beach and mountain destinations , including Ocean City ’ s three locations : House by the Sea , House on the Bay , and House at the Beach . Families can also choose to stay at House on Fenwick Island in Delaware ; House at Pinnacle Falls in Zirconia , North Carolina ; and two McHenry , Maryland , locations : House on Wisp Mountain and House on Deep Creek Lake .
“ They can focus on getting away and being a family , the good times , and have something to look forward to , believing in tomorrow ,” Morrison relates .
Morrison started the nonprofit by asking what a week away from medical reality would do for a family that is navigating critical illness . And in that time , the organization ’ s expansion has answered that question . By fall of 2023 , Believe In Tomorrow will have provided more than 1 million overnight accommodations . “ These facilities are full — very busy ,” he says .
“ Any time people can come together to help others in need is incredibly gratifying and something that makes life meaningful in so many ways ,” he continues , adding that the nonprofit partners with vendors who share this value . “ That ’ s one of the reasons we redirected our insurance to Deeley — their long-term commitment to charity and volunteering , committing to Believe In Tomorrow and many other nonprofit causes .”
Morrison encourages anyone who wants to get involved in Believe In Tomorrow to visit their website ( believeintomorrow . org ). The rapidly growing organization plans to develop a property in Florida this year , he adds . “ Working with our volunteers is another exciting part of what we do .”
WHAT IF I STARTED A BUSINESS ?
Brendan Wagner was working in the commercial fishing industry before he happened on an opportunity . “ I met a guy who was trying to sell off his small lawn care business in 2017 , and it was everything a young person needed to get started ,” says Wagner . “ I ’ ve always liked to work hard and work outside , so I went for it .” Now owner of Locals Lawn Care LLC , Wagner has grown his ‘ What if ’ into more than 200 customers in just five years .
Convinced that customer service and satisfaction would be the key to his success , Wagner made them his mission , which positioned his business for growth .
Within a couple of months , the workload had accelerated to full-time status , and he hit a cadence of servicing lawns and gaining new business at a fast clip . Word got out and Wagner decided to pursue a growth trajectory . In his third year , Locals Lawn Care was voted “ Best Of Worcester County ” by readers of Coastal Style Magazine .
Wagner was young and knew landscaping well , but he was a newbie at running a business . As an entrepreneur , he was grateful for the support of family and business acquaintances , and he welcomed the advice he received from field experts . After working with his Deeley insurance advisor Theo Hobbs , Wagner gained practical pointers along with some hands-on help with necessities like setting up his Department of Transportation ( DOT ) registration for vehicles . “[ Theo ] was willing to come over , check out all the equipment , and run me through the process — he set me up then and there ,” Wagner relates .
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