First Annual Cody Badalato Poker Tournament
January 16, 2010 at 12pm at Knollwood Country Club in Granada Hills.

Cody’s cousin Margaux has started the annual Cody Badalato Poker Tournament to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and UCLA Pediatric ICU. If anyone wants to play, contact Margaux at mbadalato@gmail.com.

We have over 15 amazing raffle prizes that you could win! We will be announcing the winners around 4pm, so even if you don’t want to play, you should come celebrate with us and win some prizes of your own! We hope you’ll attend and support this very important cause!

UPDATE: January 18, 2010

The tournament was a huge success, thank you Margaux and everyone for participating! In Cody’s honor, proceeds went to St. Jude Research Center and UCLA Pediatric ICU.

Cody’s ARK
(By: His Family)

The path that leads to Truth
Is what we aim to find
The reasons for our being
The gift of all mankind?

The path that leads to Truth
We look for it everyday
The reason why the sun shines
And why you went away.

We’ve searched the stars on a beautiful night
We’ve scanned the ocean blue
But December 14th the answer came
The path to Truth is you.

The 14 years you shared with us
The life you lived each day
Cody’s Acts of Random Kindness(ARK)
Was how he led the way.

The path of Truth now shines so bright
His light will guide the way
For Cody’s love is with us all
To never fade away.

WE LOVE YOU CODY!
WE LOVE YOU ALL!

View Cody’s Video Tribute

December 13 is the official “Who Needs a Hug Day” and of course, the birthday of our fourteen year miracle…

Happy Birthday Cody!

View Cody’s Video Tribute

For those interested in visiting Cody at the cemetery, he is buried at:
Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park
5600 Lindero Canyon Road
Westlake Village, CA 91362

Click on the image above to view his location in the park (the red dot) - after the parking lot, make your first right, about halfway down the block, across from the intersection, near the tree.

The AYBA awarded Brianna Fischer the first Cody Badalato Scholarship award at Oak Park High School. AYBA Vice President, Drew Fine, awarded Briana the five hundred dollar scholarship at the Oak Park High school seniors award on May 21, 2009.

Each year the AYBA offers two (2) non-renewable $500 scholarships - one to a graduating student from Agoura HS and the second to a graduating student from Oak Park HS. This year AYBA offered the scholarships in memory of former AYBA Board member and coach, Jeff Hall and Medea Creek 8th grade student, Cody Badalato.
–
Congratulations Brianna!
I was thrilled to hear that the Agoura Youth Basketball Association created a scholarship to honor Cody. Basketball, was yet another sport that Cody loved to play. He was especially excited this year, as Link recognized Cody’s speed and vision and was letting him play some point guard.

Congratulations to all the middle school graduates, especially at Medea Creek!

Cody is smiling today, so proud of a great group of friends. Oak Park Eagles (8th grade) Lacrosse Team finished off their undefeated season by winning the Championship today. I was fortunate to get to know many of these kids through Cody and lacrosse, and it is a very special group that worked hard and had high expectations of their season. I am certain Cody was watching, cheering, grinning and right there with you scooping and scoring. This special group retired Cody’s number 12 jersey and presented me with a Championship medal today. Congratulations to a great team of players and coaches.

We sure miss you, Cody! Nothing will ever be the same, but we will do our best to honor you in every way possible, to enjoy life to the fullest.

My dear friend wrote to me today, “Got the t-shirts — love them — we’ll be sure to do fun, crazy, silly stuff whenever we don them….in celebration of Cody’s life!” Please do the same.

Westlake Braves Football
In memory of Cody Badalato, the Westlake Braves have created a scholarship fund in his name. The Cody Baldalato Scholarship is a full scholarship given each year to 2 Westlake Braves football players who exemplify the positive attitude and character Cody exhibited both on and off the football field. The league is seeking donations from the Westlake Braves community to support this fund. For more info, click here

Medea Creek Middle School performed their annual fundraiser, Pennies for Patients, in honor of Cody. They raised and donated a total of $2800 to the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - awesome!

Thank you for all your love and support.

T-shirts are in, we started delivering and mailing - please let us know if you did not receive the correct shirts (colors / sizes).

Yesterday was the first day of youth lacrosse. It was a very difficult, yet inspiring day. As with everything in our lives, so many wonderful memories, so many reminders of Cody, so much missing. I was fortunate enough to have coached Cody last year in lacrosse. It was one of his favorite things to do, one of the many things he excelled at, worked very hard at, and of course, enjoyed. He thrived on the field, spent a week in a lacrosse camp over summer playing with high school kids. He loved the challenge, I loved watching his constant effort.

The Oak Park team embroidered Cody’s number 12 on all the uniforms and retired his number. This is an amazing gesture, and probably the coolest and most appropriate thing that you could have done for Cody (and us). Thank you.

It was inspiring to watch Cody’s teammates play. I can’t say enough about this incredible group of kids (and their parents). This is a special group, and one to watch. I really enjoyed watching them play and I look forward to watching them grow and improve throughout this season. I am certain Cody was watching and grinning from above. Not to put any pressure on you, but we have high expectations this year

I am helping Coach Brandon and Tanner’s team this year, so I will get to spend a lot of time on the field, to watch, to remember, to continue to be a part of the amazing lacrosse community.

My Angel is Cody
by Stephanie Badalato

Is it true what they say
About a life in review,
At the end of our time on earth
What would they say about you?

Did you wake every morning
With you in mind,
Or did you pursue lifes meaning
With intention of kind?

Did you look at the sunrise
In all of its glory,
To begin this adventure
That became your story.

Did you take your steps
And put people aside
No, you said walk with me
Come along for the ride.

Did you live with the knowledge
That love and peace
Is all that we are
And all that we need?

Did you look at the stars
On a beautiful night
And see God calling
In the twinkling lights?

Did you get what you need
Did you give and receive
Did you embrace someone
In their time of need?

Yes, you did all of this
And it’s what I believe
That Gods hand came down
And brought home what He needs.

So is it true what they say
About a life in review
When you stand before Him
What would He say about you?
My son you’ve done well
You’ve lived your life true
My vision of man
Is within you.

Your time on earth
May now be gone
While the love within you
Eternally lives on.

On a mountain top
High in the sky
A beautiful boy
Was given wings to fly

He flies high
He flies low
He touches stars
and they glow

For all of us on earth
Are just starting to see
That this beautiful angel
Is our Cody.

I love infinity!

Mom