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The following article about Kaitlin Clutter was taken from the Asbury Park Press on April 14, 2009:
MANCHESTER — Kaitlin Clutter of Manchester, was one of nearly 40 children from across the country to meet President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony honoring Children's Miracle Network on March
31.
Kaitlin, who has been a patient at Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River since infancy, earlier this year had been named Children's Miracle Network's 2009 Champions Across America New Jersey representative.
She has spina bifada.
During her visit to Washington, D.C., Kaitlin, 8, toured the White House and met the president, who then invited Kaitlin and other children to play on the playground on the South Lawn.
Children's Miracle Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals. There are 170 such hospitals located in the country today.
"The Champions Across America program has been raising awareness about the importance of children's hospitals for the past 13 years," Children's Miracle Network President and CEO Scott Burt said in a statement. "It is always a privilege to be at the White House, and we hope that President Obama was inspired by the children he met."
The following article about Kaitlin Clutter was taken from the Asbury Park Press on March 11, 2009:
EDISON — Richard Weber was excited as he stood in the crowd outside Wal-Mart's garden center waiting for his granddaughter to arrive in a hot pink stretch limousine as the newly named Champion Across America representative for New Jersey. As the moment drew close, Weber's thoughts wandered back to the struggles and triumphs of 8-year-old Kaitlin Clutter.
"My biggest joy was watching her as a cheerleader. . . . This is after they said she'd never walk," he said. Eight years ago when Kaitlin was born with spina bifida, a malformation of the spine and spinal cord that comes with a host of complications, everyone said it would prevent her from performing the most basic tasks. However, the strong-willed little girl, who lives in Manchester, blazed past every physical hurdle with the support of her doctors, therapy team and parents.
"She never gives up," Weber said, as thoughts were suddenly broken by the buzz in the air. Kaitlin's limousine, courtesy of a North Jersey salon where she was pampered with a free makeover and styling earlier in the day, had just entered the Wal-Mart parking lot. Kaitlin, who has been a patient at Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River since infancy, earlier had been named the Children's Miracle Network's 2009 Champions Across America New Jersey representative. The award was presented by Wal-Mart and Sam's Club representatives, and Tuesday's event at the Vineyard Square shopping center was all about a celebration for her. Kaitlin walked into the garden center, which was decorated in pink and white, as friends and family cheered with store employees and people from Children's Specialized Hospital and Children's Miracle Network.
Adding some sparkle to the event was Miss New Jersey, Ashley Fairfield, who presented Kaitlin with her very own crown. Kaitlin and her fellow champions from every state will travel for a week, first to Florida for the Children's Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and then to Washington, D.C., where they will meet with President Barack Obama. On Tuesday, Wal-Mart store manager Wayne Standiford presented Kaitlin with a $500 gift card to help her prepare for her trip. She also received a pack of Jonas Brothers merchandise and a ride in a Wal-Mart truck.
"I am so glad that so many people came here today to support me," Kaitlin said as her parents, Linda and Gary, an Elizabeth firefighter, watched proudly.
The following article was taken from wcbstv.com March 10, 2009:
RIDGEWOOD, NJ An amazing little girl has just been named New Jersey's Champion Across America, by the Children's Miracle Network. Kaitlin Clutter was born with spina bifida, a malformation of the spine and spinal cord. Doctors gave her parents little hope for an active life, but she beat the odds and is now inspiring everyone around her. Kaitlin was born with the most severe form the disease. Doctors told her parents she'd never walk or talk, but after years of intense therapy at Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River, she proved them wrong. Kaitlin is now 8. She walks with the help of braces and has a message for other kids who've been told what they can't do. "I think that it's great that you never give up, and that you try over and over and if you can't do something just try again and be strong," she said. On Tuesday she was at "Sweet and Sassy" in Ridgewood for some pampering, before traveling around the country for a week to talk about pediatric healthcare and the importance of determination. "I learn from her all the time, and I believe she's an inspiration to kids her age and also to adults everyday, and never complains about anything and does everything with a smile," said Gary Clutter, Kaitlin's father. Kaitlin has already undergone 12 surgeries, and has a shunt in her brain that keeps her alive. Every time her parents are told what Kaitlin cannot achieve they go for it. "She's a cheerleader. She's gone to dancing school. She swims like a fish. She rides a bicycle. She climbs jungle gyms, the biggest ones we can find," mother Linda Clutter said. Kaitlin loves to sing, and while most girls her age are dreaming about being the next Hannah Montana, her goal is to be a singing doggy doctor, which needed some explanation. "That's a veterinarian … that when I'm doing my procedures on the doggy that I can sing to them and make them feel better," Kaitlin said. Kaitlin said singing makes everyone feel good. Kaitlin has a lot of work ahead as a Champion Across America. She'll be in Washington in two weeks to meet President Barack Obama. Amazing, indeed.
The following article about Kaitlin Clutter was taken from the Asbury Park Press on February 25, 2009:
BRICK - Eight-year-old Kaitlin Clutter spent her Tuesday morning enjoying chocolate-chip pancakes and a day off from school. The second-grade student at Ridgeway Elementary School in Manchester was one of the featured visitors at the Brick IHOP restaurant. Kaitlin, who is this year's New Jersey representative for the Children's Miracle Network charity, was joined by hundreds of other IHOP patrons taking advantage of free flapjacks as the part of the restaurant chain's National Pancake Day promotion. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. customers at all International House of Pancakes restaurants were given a free short stack of pancakes in exchange for a contribution to the charity. Kaitlin spent some time working the grill along with Ashley Fairfield of Egg Harbor Township, the current Miss New Jersey. "The pancakes turned out great," Kaitlin said. Children's Miracle Network raises funds for 170 children's hospitals nationwide. The funds focus on upgrading specialized care and to purchase life-saving equipment, according to Nicole M. Fulmino, the network's program director. One of the hospitals that receives the funds is Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River. Kaitlin was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the spine. She has been receiving treatment at the Toms River branch since she was a month old, said her mother, Linda.
"The hospital is like a family," Linda Clutter said. "We can't say enough good things about the staff." That might explain why Kaitlin was selected as this year's state ambassador for Children's Miracle Network. Each year regional hospitals affiliated with organization choose one patient as a spokesperson. Lou Maschi, owner of the Brick IHOP, said his establishment would serve about 4,000 pancakes during the day. Maschi said on a normal weekday, the restaurant would sell about 300 pancakes.
"It's hectic, but this is the one day we really look forward to working," said Maschi, who along with his wife, Toni, has owned the Brick restaurant for three years. How hectic?
Restaurant general manager Michael Economides said about 28 workers are employed for the whole day, compared to a standard 11-person staff. "We have a big staff working on Sunday, but this is like a Sunday morning crowd, but all day," said Economides.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2008 JR. MIDGET CHEERLEADERS, who placed 3rd at the National Spirit Championships in Disney.
The following is an article from Children's Specialized Hospital's website about our own little champion, Kaitlin Clutter, who is a 2008 Mitey Mite Cheerleader:
Children's Miracle Network announced that Kaitlin Clutter, a patient in our Toms River hospital, will be the Champions Across America representative for the state of New Jersey in 2009. Kaitlin has been treated for Spina Bfida at our hospital since her infancy. Now seven years old, Kaitlin is an amazing little girl who continues to defy odds with the help of her doctors, her physical therapist, Ellen Lloyd, and her parents, Gary and Linda. Kaitlin is seen here at the Toms River Dairy Queen enjoying Miracle Treat Day!
The following is an article from the February 26, 2008 Manchester Times about our 2007 Pee Wee National Champion Cheerleaders:
Parade Celebrates Manchester's Pee Wee Cheerleading Champions
By Lauren Puglisi
On February 9, members of Manchester's Pee Wee Cheerleading Squad were proud fixtures in a parade dedicated to them.
According to Renee Hourigan, first vice president of the Manchester Hawks' 2008 executive board, the parade was held for the Pop Warner Pee Wee Novice Cheerleading Division, who recently won a National Cheer Title.
"In December, the girls took first place in the 2007 National Cheer Championships in Florida," Hourigan said.
Manchester's Pee Wee division is made up of 11- and 12-year-old girls from the area.
Maureen Schultze, president of the Manchester Hawks Cheerleading Association, said there were about 30 to 40 people at the parade.
"The girls and us coaches had a blast. The parents were also excited to be able to ride on the trucks, they really loved it," Schultze said.
Volunteers from the Ridgeway Fire Department followed Manchester Police vehicles, which kicked off the start of the parade.
Mayor Michael Fressola and the Town Council greeted spectators by riding with the Manchester Police while the winning cheerleading squad and their parents proudly sat in the township's fire truck.
The parade started at Commonwealth Blvd. and ended at Ridgeway Road near the fire department complex.
"After the parade made its way throughout the township, breakfast and drinks were served to the squad and their families at the fire department," Hourigan said. "The girls and their families had a great day celebrating their victory together."
Fressola and members from Manchester's governing body also visited Ridgeway Fire Department at the conclusion of the parade to show their support.
Since all children in the area are welcomed to the join the Jersey Shore Pop Warner cheering squads, participation has been growing. Tryouts of any kind are prohibited in Pop Warner programs. That allows anyone interested to be a part of their township's local squad.
Similar to Manchester's Pee Wee Cheer Champs, the Pop Warner traditional spirit squads compete during the playing season of August 1 through December 31, which allows for all major competitions to take place during the early weeks of December.
The Manchester Hawks Pee Wee Cheerleading division participated in many fundraising events over the past year to make their trip and their victory as National Champs in Florida possible.
