Homes Fort Mill SC

A group of Tega Cay families called McKemey Strong lead by Scott and Michelle Shirley have teamed up and organized a fundraising effort for Connor McKemey.  (see more on Connor’s story) The first fundraising project is McKemeny Strong wristbands.

The wristbands are in production and are expected to arrive after February 5th. The McKemey Strong team are in the process of setting up wristband sales events and sales locations with local businesses.

A Mckemey Strong website has been created to promote the wristband and future fund raising activities. The website is www.mckemeystrong.com.

Several Tega Cay and Fort Mill families have donated the money to produce the wristbands so all of the wristband sales will go to the Mckemey Medical Trust Fund.

Why did the group pick Mckemey Strong as their theme? And what does McKemey Strong mean to you?

Scott Shirley and Carmen Miller both wrote what Mckemey Strong meant to them. Here are their two versions:

FAITH…. to entrust the most precious gift, a child, to His embrace.  FAITH to know that  prayers count and that He is listening.  FAITH to see the small daily miracles in Connors recovery as a celebration of His love.   To be in awe of the humility and trust the McKemey’s have taught us with their FAITH, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

COURAGE….of a teenage boy fighting to stay strong, to hear his parents voice, to heal and survive.  COURAGE of brothers standing proud, scared and hopeful.  COURAGE of a mother who has lived an unimaginable nightmare and found the strength not only to fight the fight but to encourage others to fight it with her.  COURAGE of a father who with quiet dignity and bravery has served his country and now stands by his son.  Finding a small token of that COURAGE in our own lives, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

HOPE…. shown by every member of the McKemey family as they stand true to their FAITH with COURAGE.  HOPE shown by every person who has visited the Caring Bridge sight eager for updates, HOPE raised with every prayer given.  Learning to HOPE in the worst of times, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

COMMUNITY….a truly amazing effort of so many to come together and do their part.  The McKEMEY COMMUNITY is not just Fort Mill, not just parents of kids that know Connor, not just neighbors who know the family.  It is hundreds of families banding together to lend a hand, give their time, their tears and yes, even their blood.

The McKEMEY COMMUNITY is every child that has prayed an extra prayer, every church that has raised the McKemey’s name for healing and strength, it is people all over the world who have been touched by a family that continues to give back.  A COMMUNITY who has come together to reach out and embrace, to join and give, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

Knowing that life is full of unexpected circumstances, being willing to face them with FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE and to give the gift of COMMUNITY to those in need, that is McKEMEY STRONG……

By Carmen Miller

What does “McKemey Strong” mean to you?  Here’s what it means to me:

I sit by and watch the McKemey family and close friends.  They are so visible.  They are so inspiring.  They are family to us.  They are us.  They are McKemey Strong!!!

Every morning, I go to the YMCA, faithfully working hard to maintain physical fitness so I can live a long healthy life for my two small boys.  I used to see Karin there most every day.  I admire her faithfulness and dedication.  I never realized, watching her perusing her goals, like me, that she and her family would be the focal point of my family’s prayer time.  I am inspired by her strength.  We wish I were McKemey Strong!!!

I have watched as my sons have fallen off of their scooters, bikes, Healies, diving boards, water skis, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, chairs, tables, countertops, and anything else they can manage to ride and crash.  All of which is expected with two very active boys.  As much as those bumps and bruises hurt our boys, you all know how the blood, bruises and black eyes and tears hurt Mom and Dad even more.  We’re learning to be McKemey Strong!!!

Along comes Connor McKemey…McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

Who would ever think we’d have to help our little pumpkin fight for his life.  This doesn’t happen to us.  That’s the kind of thing that happens to someone else, somewhere else.  And yet, as a community, we watch this family, the McKemey’s.  They have been given a challenge the likes of which NONE of us could understand.  Everyday, they find a way to move forward.  They have altered their lifestyle, their schedules, and their living arraignments, everything they have come to know as a family.  THIS is McKemey Strong!!!

I read the Caring Bridge pages, I watch the news, I look for a chance-sighting of one of the Mckemey family members, I talk to friends, I go to the blood drive, I pray with my wife and little boys, I donate anyway I can.  I realize how fragile our lives and families are and realize that no matter what, this is what really matters…Family…Friends…Faith…McKemey Strong!!!

This family and our own Connor have endured so much.  They are worthy of our support and love.  I am honored to have been touched and inspired by this family.  Dearest Connor, Karin, George, Tripp and Quinn, though I have never met any of you or your family, I am so inspired and encouraged by you and you are so close to all of us every minute of every day.  I suppose it must be hard to understand that we love you so.  You must know by now that if you as much as raise your hand, we will be there for you with whatever you need.  We wish we were McKemey Strong!!!

Thank you, McKemey Family, for the inspiration, lessons, love, faith and strength you have brought to our families.  God is using you all in a way you could never understand or we could explain.

I wish we all could be McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

With much love,

Your friends and neighbors,

The Shirley Family;

Scott, Michelle, Noah and Blake