The Land Before Time Magical Discoveries DVD is an exciting addition to any child's collection. This DVD features animated adventures with everyone's favorite prehistoric pals - Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike. The magical discoveries in this DVD will transport children to a world filled with wonder and imagination. One of the episodes in this DVD is "The Forbidden Friendship," where the gang discovers a hidden valley filled with flora and fauna they have never seen before. They encounter new dinosaur species and learn about the importance of acceptance and friendship. This episode teaches children about diversity and the beauty of embracing differences.

Magic for maddie

"She is joy and happiness and, in that spirit, we want to give her a day that represents all the light she brings to our world!"

Originally from Holyoke, Greg & Nora Schmidt are raising their 3 beautiful children, Will (13), Patrick (11) and Maddie (7) in Southampton. They are active members of the Norris & Hampshire Regional school communities as well as the Southampton Youth Athletic Association and have done so much to give back to others throughout the years, never expecting or wanting anything in return. Now, they need our help.

In February, their world was turned upside down when Maddie was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer. Nora immediately left her teaching position to support Maddie full-time. Maddie underwent a biopsy at Boston Children's Hospital, six weeks of radiation at Baystate and will now proceed with a clinical trial through Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Maddie has handled all of this with grace and hope and inspires us all every day. She is joy and happiness and, in that spirit, we want to give her a day that represents all the light she brings to our world!

Please join us on Sunday, September 11 at Ashley Reservoir for Magic for Maddie, a 5K Run/2 Mile Family Fun Walk & Carnival. The day promises to be fun-filled for the whole family including food trucks, music, bounce houses, obstacle courses, a raffle and so much more! Register at www.magicformaddie.com. We also invite you to join us as a family or business sponsor, participate in our raffle, or make a gift online.

Although our primary focus right now is supporting the Schmidts, we are forever grateful to the many families who have taken on this fight before us and paved the way for Maddie's trial. Maddie has many opportunities and trial options thanks to family foundations and it is important to Greg & Nora that a portion of event proceeds will be given back to the larger pediatric brain cancer community. Your generous support will go a long way for Maddie as well as other children bravely fighting this battle today.

With sincere gratitude,
The Magic for Maddie Committee

Community supports 2nd ‘Magic for Maddie’ fundraiser in Holyoke with $125K raised

The Magic for Maddie fundraiser was held at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks this past weekend. It featured a 5K road race, a 2-mile family walk at nearby Ashley Reservoir and family-fun activities throughout the day. The event, now in its second year, was spearheaded by the Schmidt family to memorialize Maddie Schmidt’s lively spirit and drive home the need for increased pediatric brain cancer research funding. Jennifer Capshaw, aunt, left, Nora Schmidt, mom, and Caitlin O’Hare, aunt, thanked the community for their generous support during the fundraiser on Oct. 14. (Dennis Hohenberger / Special to The Republican) Dennis Hohenberger / Special to The Republican

• Dennis Hohenberger | Special to The Republican

HOLYOKE — In honor of what would have been Maddie Schmidt’s ninth birthday, the community gathered Oct. 14 to honor her life and raise money to fight a form of brain cancer called DIPG, the disease that claimed her at only 8 years old.

The Magic for Maddie fundraiser was held at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks. It featured a 5K road race, a 2-mile family walk at nearby Ashley Reservoir and family-fun activities throughout the day.

The event’s success was evident, as the Elks’ parking lot reached overflow capacity quickly. Maddie, of Southampton, battled the aggressive cancer for nearly a year before passing away on New Year’s Eve.

The event, now in its second year, was spearheaded by the Schmidt family to memorialize Maddie’s lively spirit and drive home the need for increased DIPG research funding. DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, is a rare, aggressive brain tumor in the brain’s pons region. With a survival rate under 2%, it primarily affects children, with about 300 diagnosed in the U.S. annually.

Jennifer Capshaw, Maddie’s aunt, recalled that the initial fundraising goal was modest. However, Maddie’s mom, Nora Schmidt, set a $100,000 goal this time. The community’s overwhelming support easily surpassed the amount.

“Through this event, we wanted to ensure other families felt her joy and hopefully, in time, no other family will have to endure the pain we experienced,” Capshaw said.

The fundraiser managed to take in over $125,000. Half of the proceeds will be directed to foundations focusing on DIPG research, while the remaining 50% will assist local families in need.

“So many people helped us last year when Maddie was sick that we want to give back locally,” said Nora Schmidt. She noted the importance of supporting families with children battling this terminal illness.

Schmidt added that, not only are families under emotional stress when a child becomes sick, but the financial demand can be overwhelming. She wants the proceeds to help families cover expenses while their child undergoes treatment.

The Schmidt family also partnered with the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. The alliance, part of the DIPG DMG Research Funding Alliance, ensures funds are funneled directly into research.

Another collaboration with the Live Brave Together Foundation provides families with immediate financial aid, covering necessities ranging from gas to funeral expenses. Often, one or both parents must reduce working hours.

“She would be cheering us on. Maddie was here last year, so she got to be part of the fun,” Nora Schmidt said. The fundraiser captured Maddie’s essence, with such activities as face painting, gymnastics and a dance performance.

Local businesses played a pivotal role, with over 250 sponsors. Over 1,700 participants took part in the road race and family walk.

When asked about the frequency of DIPG diagnoses, Nora Schmidt clarified, “They say it’s rare. It doesn’t feel rare to us.”

For more details or to contribute, visit magicformaddie.com.

Magic for maddie

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This episode teaches children about diversity and the beauty of embracing differences. Another episode, "The Cave of Many Voices," takes the gang on a mysterious journey to a cave that echoes extraordinary sounds. They realize that the sounds are coming from their very own footsteps.

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Magic for maddie

Maddie’s mother Nora and brother Patrick pose for a photo at CureFest in Washington D.C. last month.
Photo credit: Magic for Maddie and the Schmidt family.

Last year Nora and Greg Schmidt experienced the tragic loss of their 8-year-old daughter Maddie, just 10 months after she was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer. In her memory, the family is returning with the second annual Magic for Maddie fundraiser event at Ashley Reservoir on Oct. 14 to celebrate Maddie’s life and raise money for charity.

“Maddie was one of a kind, she could light up a room the minute she walked into it, and you really just felt connected with Maddie when she was around you. I, of course as her mom, always still think she’s my best friend but I learned to realize even when she was sick and after she passed, how many people had made connections with Maddie as well. She was the kind of person that made you feel special inside and out and she did it naturally,” said Schmidt.

That connection Maddie made with so many, Schmidt added, also extended to her fellow classmates. She shared a story of Maddie one night at dinner sharing with the family ever so casually that she was elected kindergarten class president that day, much to her parents’ and two brothers’ surprise.

Maddie’s comedic touch extends with another story, told by Maddie’s brother, Patrick, at her celebration of life that details when Maddie was first learning to ski. Maddie, over a few days, was progressing quickly with her skill and was ready for more of a challenge. After finally convincing everyone for an attempt on a more challenging trail, the family went down together. Before Patrick could even realize, Maddie was flying past him and said,

“See ya, sucker,” and laughed as she sped away.

The biggest thing her parents noticed about her daily was her kindness to anyone and everyone.

“I think that’s what we’re trying to continue to pay forward with everything moving forward is to spread Maddie’s sparkle and kindness because I know it’s something that she did and something that she would want to happen,” Schmidt said.

Magic for Maddie at Ashley Reservoir and the Holyoke Elks is a 5K/2 mile family fun walk and carnival event. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a carnival event featuring food and ice cream trucks, live music, bounce houses, a magic show, games, a dunk tank, raffles and much more.

Registration is $35 for adults and $15 for kids, or a $100 family max. Registration includes all carnival activities, entertainment, a Magic for Maddie T-shirt and a choice of an ice cream or complimentary beer or wine. To register visit https://www.magicformaddie.com.

The event falls on what would have been Maddie’s ninth birthday and the family is asking everyone to bring an unwrapped toy to the event that will be donated to a local children’s hospital. The event will also feature a “get well” card station to sign and make cards to send to children currently battling cancer or other illnesses.

Last year, the first-ever Magic for Maddie fundraiser took place to raise money for Maddie’s treatments and also to donate a portion to charity and research on pediatric brain cancer. Schmidt mentioned Maddie was struggling with her illness, but still had a great day knocking her grandma and other family members into the dunk tank, and being around so many loved ones and supporters in the community.

Maddie’s aunt Jenn Capshaw also spoke with Reminder Publishing about the event and Maddie’s memory, adding the family knew they had an opportunity to turn darkness into light.

“With what Maddie went through, which was so tragic and horrible, we knew that we had to make something positive, and some light come from this horrible situation that she went through and so we’re doing so much to team up with charities,” Capshaw explained.

Maddie suffered from a brain cancer known as DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), an aggressive, malignant brain tumor. Because of the specific diagnosis, Magic for Maddie the nonprofit organization has partnered with three national charities that specifically support research and treatment for this diagnosis. The three charities include the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, the DIPG-DMG Research Funding Alliance and the Live Life Together Foundation, which provides financial help to other families in the same fight.

Capshaw added half the money from the fundraiser will stay local to help families going through those same “unimaginable” situations that Maddie was once going through.

“What Maddie had was rare, but it also isn’t when you look at it, so that’s really important for us. We benefited from these families banding together and now it’s for us to pay it forward,” Capshaw said. “Last year the money supported our family and the expenses and everything, and we just knew what a gift that was and it’s really important for us to pay that forward.”

Capshaw, Schmidt and members of the Schmidt family traveled to Washington D.C. a few weeks ago for the Cure Fest and the Brainstorm Summit where they learned about these groups and their new partners in the common fight, as well as many others who have experienced similar losses due to the disease.

“Basically, they were in Washington saying they’ve been in similar situations and they were saying how like we feel, how it’s so important to turn our pain into power and purpose,” Schmidt said. “You know, you have two choices when you’re dealt with something like this, but we’re choosing to join up with the people and make sure that the funds go to the right place and it’s directly to research and people in need.”

Maddie’s brothers Will and Patrick were two of the brains behind the initial Magic for Maddie fundraiser and were best friends with their sister, Schmidt said. During one of Maddie’s trials at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she and her parents were informed they had to stay overnight before she could be released. Schmidt said Maddie became sad due to being stuck overnight at the hospital and she looked at her parents and asked for her brothers.

“It kind of broke our heart a little and so I called Jenn and I said, ‘she just wants the boys,’ and Jenn said they were coming and dropped everything and brought my boys on a flight and were there at the hospital that night. It’s the only thing that made her smile and it made them smile,” Schmidt said. “Truly they were the ones that could put a smile on her face when she needed it the most.”

The boys were also quick to tell their parents the fundraiser should come back this year in her honor.

“We want people to remember Maddie and who she was and the things she loved, and we want to pay it forward so that’s all I needed to hear,” Schmidt said. “The love and outpouring of support from our community, not only when Maddie was sick but even now, after the amount of people that are registered and planned to come and have sponsored and checked in with us means everything to our family right now.”

Both of Maddie’s parents are from Holyoke, but the family lives in Southampton. Both communities have been vigorous in their support for this cause, according to both sisters, and a packed turnout is expected for this year’s event once again.

“For us, just seeing the community come together and rally around her and feeling that love was the most important thing we could do for Nora and Greg, Will and Patrick, and Maddie, and that was really our biggest purpose in doing this,” Capshaw said. “Holyoke is incredible at coming together for their own people, and Southampton rallied in that way too. It helps keep Maddie present with us.”

Last year’s event raised enough money to help cover expenses the family was facing through Maddie’s treatment, and the family was also able to donate $50,000, split between research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and their first $25,000 to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation.

“People have asked throughout this and after Maddie passed what can they do to help and they’re showing up for our family in so many ways by being at this event with us and celebrating Maddie and her life and her legacy. For use that means the world so when people are asking what they can do, they’re doing it by being there and supporting us. It means the world to us,” Schmidt said. “Every dollar is helping toward our goals and not just Magic for Maddie goals but these big goals with all these other foundations, so it makes us feel proud that we’re remembering Maddie and people are remembering her for her kindness and her love and to pay it forward and make a difference in peoples lives. I know Maddie was just here for a short time but truly, she did make that difference and she’s going to continue making that difference even though she’s not physically here with us.”

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This episode highlights the concept of self-discovery and the importance of self-expression. In "The Mysterious Tooth Crisis," Littlefoot and his friends stumble upon a puzzling phenomenon where dinosaur teeth are mysteriously disappearing. Through teamwork and problem-solving, they discover the culprit behind the tooth crisis. This episode teaches children the value of teamwork and critical thinking. "The Hidden Canyon" takes the gang on an adventurous exploration of a secret canyon. They encounter various obstacles along the way but eventually discover breathtaking landscapes and hidden treasures. This episode encourages children to be curious, explore new environments, and appreciate the beauty of nature. The Land Before Time Magical Discoveries DVD is not only entertaining, but it also imparts valuable life lessons. Each episode teaches children important values such as friendship, acceptance, self-discovery, teamwork, curiosity, and appreciation for nature. The animation and storytelling in this DVD are captivating, ensuring an engaging and educational experience for children. Overall, The Land Before Time Magical Discoveries DVD is a must-have for any child who enjoys animated adventures and loves dinosaurs. It offers a blend of fun, fantasy, and educational content that will keep children entertained while fostering their imagination and teaching them valuable life lessons..

Reviews for "The Soundtrack of 'The Land Before Time: Magical Discoveries' DVD: A Musical Journey"

1. Mike - 1 star

I was highly disappointed with "The Land Before Time Magical Discoveries" DVD. The animation quality was extremely poor, with choppy movements and dull colors that made it hard to engage with the story. The storyline itself was also lackluster and predictable, lacking the charm and excitement of the previous Land Before Time films. I found myself bored and uninterested in what was happening on the screen. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this DVD to any fans of the series or anyone looking for a quality animated film.

2. Emily - 2 stars

As a long-time fan of "The Land Before Time" franchise, I was really looking forward to "Magical Discoveries." However, I was sorely disappointed. The characters lacked depth and the plot felt rushed and poorly executed. The dialogue was also subpar, with cheesy one-liners and uninspired interactions. The animation quality was decent, but it couldn't make up for the other flaws of the film. In my opinion, this installment falls short of the charm and magic of the original Land Before Time movies, and I would recommend skipping it.

3. Alex - 1 star

"The Land Before Time Magical Discoveries" DVD was a complete waste of time and money. The storyline was unoriginal and felt like a rehash of previous films in the franchise. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the voice acting felt forced and uninspired. The animation quality was also disappointing, with jerky movements and lackluster visuals. Overall, this DVD failed to capture the essence of what made the original Land Before Time movies so beloved. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.

Exploring the Cultural Significance of 'The Land Before Time: Magical Discoveries' DVD