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Nurturing Kindness: Propel Schools and Christian Cochran Foundation Unite for Uplifting Art Collaboration

🎨💖 With Immense Gratitude 🎨💖
We are overflowing with gratitude and wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Propel Schools of Pittsburgh for their uplifting initiative. First through 8th graders have been involved in a delightful art project called “What’s Good about Today?” 🌟

By the end of May, these creative students will have painted over 300 rocks, which are set to be showcased at the Frick Museum. This project is a touching collaboration between the Christian Cochran Foundation and Propel Schools, aimed at nurturing kindness and appreciation among the students.

We are deeply moved by the waves of love and positivity these young artists are spreading throughout our community. They have also learned about the inspiring life of Christian, who always sought to do good and find the positive in every day. It was truly special for Danielle Cochran to visit the Propel School district, share Christian’s story, and paint rocks alongside these wonderful children.


Thank you, Propel Schools, for fostering such a meaningful and beautiful project. Here’s to more love, kindness, and creativity in our world! 🌍💚
#propelschools
#whatsgoodabouttoday
#makesomeonehappy
#makesomeonesmile
#makesomeonelaugh

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As we embrace the third month of our enriching partnership with Young Adults Survivors United (YASU), our Family is filled with immense gratitude for the journey we've embarked on together. Our collaboration aims to lighten the burdens of young adults facing financial hardships due to a cancer diagnosis by providing them with gift bags brimming with essential items every month. Each bag, valued at over $100, delivers not just necessities but a message of hope and love.

 

To date, our initiative (launched January 2024) has joyfully distributed nearly 40 re-useable bags filled with much needed items (Advil, Tylenol, Shampoo/Conditioner, Laundry Detergent, gas gift cards to travel to treatments and much more).  This is a milestone that speaks volumes about the compassion and support of our community. This achievement has been made possible thanks to the generous contributions of our annual supporters, the Cochran, Legacy Foundation, and the unwavering support of our family and friends. Your kindness has been a beacon of hope in the lives of many.

 

If you feel inspired to extend your support and make a tangible difference in the lives of these young adults, YASU welcomes contributions in various forms. You are invited to drop off items at their office at YASU, 1000 Brooktree Road, Suite 105,

Wexford, PA 15090, or simply visit the link to the Amazon Wish List and have your donated items sent directly to YASU’s office. 

 

Amazon Link https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/11HOEGQ35A08C

 

We are humbled and blessed with each gift you give.

 

With Gratitude and Love,

Cochran’s All

March, 2024

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January 29, 2024

Announcing a Heartfelt Collaboration: The Christian Cochran Legacy Fund and YASU 

 

This initiative marks a significant step in our ongoing commitment to continue our son Christian’s wishes to support young adult cancer survivors, especially those experiencing financial hardship.
Beginning this month, YASU will provide monthly essential household items to those in need. These include Advil, Tylenol, gas gift cards for travel to/from treatments, and more, all packed in reusable bags. This program is not just about giving; it's a tribute to the spirit of compassion and support.
Inspired by Christian's Legacy: Our beloved Christian Cochran was deeply moved by the love and support he received and was acutely aware of the unique blessings in his life. He felt a profound empathy for those without similar support systems as his. This initiative honors our Beauty Full Christian's wish to help alleviate the burdens of young adults battling cancer, reflecting his passion for helping others.

How You Can Help:

We invite you to join us in this meaningful cause. You can contribute by donating items for the care bags. It's simple and impactful — just visit the Amazon wish list page for YASU’s “What’s Good About Today” Distribution Bags and choose how you'd like to contribute. Items will be shipped directly to YASU.


Here's the link for direct access: DONATION WEBSITE

Your support will directly benefit these courageous young adults, helping to ease their challenges and honoring Christian's compassionate legacy.
Thank you for being a part of this journey of kindness and support. Together, we can make a real difference.


 

December 12, 2023

Christian Cochran Legacy Fund supports Karns City School District to reward students for their hard work and overall contributions to the school/community.

You may ask why we chose to support Karns City School District this year? For one, it's a wonderful local school district in our community. Secondly, they have had an extra burden this year, when the community was devasted September 1st, by the injury to their Quarter Back, Mason Martin. Our continued prayers are with him and his family. Our family wanted to do something special for the Karns City School District students.

 The Christian Cochran Legacy Fund has chosen to support Karns City School District in their exceptional program - the Student Incentive Program. This program goes beyond traditional recognition methods by rewarding students for their hard work, outstanding grades, impeccable attendance, positive behavior, and overall contribution to the school. Hard working students are offered a range of exciting events and activities throughout the school year to enjoy as a reward for their strong, exceptional efforts to be upstanding students/citizens.

This program is not only about the rewards; it's about empowering students and showing them that their efforts truly matter.  The Student Incentive Program Committee, comprised of dedicated teachers who selflessly volunteer their time, plays a pivotal role in driving student success. Their unwavering commitment motivates and encourages students to reach for the stars in their academic pursuits. This is just the kind of program our kind, loving Christian would love to support. Christian would love that the program recognizes the profound impact of positive behavior in cultivating a harmonious and thriving school environment and is a beacon of inspiration, fostering a culture of excellence and accomplishment that resonates throughout the entire school bestowing blessings and joy on the students, teachers and beyond!

October 27, 2023

The PR Girls Field Hockey Team is “What’s GOOD about TODAY?” They are hosting an all-out event to support the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund –Thanks to Coach Steve, the Players, the Parents and the Boosters for all the LOVE 

The Annual Charity Game was held at Pine Richland Stadium.  The entire Rams' Girls Field Hockey teams, from the youth program to the HS teams, went full out with preparations, creative ideas and support. 

 Coach Donna Stephenson, who was aware of Christian through his years on the PR stage and field, had this to say, "Christian was a free-spirited entertainer from a young age, whose performances included rolling around the U6 soccer field, a Blues Brothers rendition in the third-grad talent show, and many starring roles in the school musicals.  As a coach, I often relate life back to sports.  Christian was that person who made everyone around him better.  in sports, we call people like Christian, MVPs, most valuable players.  Christian was a most valuable person to many and left an indelible mark on the Pine Richland Community."

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WGAT Featured at YASU "Wig Out" event at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

October 27, 2023

WGAT Featured at YASU "Wig Out" event at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

 

Friday Night's "Wig Out" at the Three Rivers Casino to support YASU - Young Adult Survivors United and Young Adults with a Cancer diagnosis is part of our family’s mission.

 

Seeing so many smiling faces on the young adult population and their family members is truly "What's GOOD about TODAY!" for our family. We are blessed to make it our mission to spark joy, look for the good in each of our days, and support them in all ways. The LOVE and GOODNESS they give is a blessing to us. It was also a chance to remember all of the beauty full young adults, including our most precious Christian, that have gone on to Heaven much to soon.

 

With Humility and Love, Cochrans All

make someone HAPPY

make someone SMILE

make someone LAUGH

#whatsgoodabouttoday

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September 13, 2023

"Christian Cochran and his family are always "What's about Today!" The faith and determination they have in sharing Christian's message is making a difference in the hurting world.  Christian and his powerful story is truly a blessing to all!"

May 15, 2023

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Tina Beam is an extraordinary woman, an elementary school teacher whose sensitivity and creativity in her fourth-grade classroom at Eden Hall has contributed immeasurably to the holistic growth of her students in the Pine Richland School District for over 24 years.

 

Families who have had the privilege of one or more of their children taught by Tina, know well of her intelligent, kind and inspiring approach to teaching. 

 

One such family are the Cochrans of the Meadows, Treesdale. 

 

Danielle and Chris Cochran's son, Christian was the first of their children introduced to Tina Beam. Their daughter Kate was her student 2 years later. (Tina taught math to Christian in fourth grade at Richland Elementary and Kate was in her fourth grade class at Eden Hall).

 

As readers may be aware, Christian, an extraordinary person himself, passed away in September of 2021, at the age of 23, after waging a profound battle with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer. 

 

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT TODAY?”  If you’re familiar with Christian’s story, you may have heard that this was his question for his family throughout the physical devastation of his illness, a daily reminder from Christian to find the GOOD, the BEAUTY that resides within even the toughest of our days. Christian loved life so much and believed so thoroughly in its specialness, no less after he became ill and perhaps even more so.

 

When Tina learned of Christian's passing, and his daily message to his family throughout his illness, this triggered memories for her from the 2007-2008 school year. She vividly remembers Christian's infectious smile entering her classroom every day.  He would immediately seek her out to ask about her day, her young boys and if there was anything he could help her do in the classroom.  His sweet demeanor and helpful nature always brightened her day.

 

Tina shared how different her 2021 classroom looked when returning after a stint of virtual learning. "Both students and staff were required to wear masks and socially distance from one another. The masks prohibited smiles from being shared and made it difficult for some students to form new friendships.  After watching many young students struggle with the isolating and fear-provoking effects of Covid and being isolated, I recognized an opportunity to utilize Christian's profound message for the benefit of my students." 

 

"Tina realized that Christian's message was powerful and she wanted to use it daily on the whiteboard in her classroom," according to Danielle Cochran. "Tina reached out to us and asked if we would be agreeable to her using 'What’s GOOD about TODAY?' as a daily reminder to her students to start their day with positive, appreciative messages. We were pleased, and appreciated Tina's idea very much." 

 

Each day of the current school year and last, as Tina's young students enter the classroom and start their morning, they share a personal message on the board.  At the end of the day, Tina erases the board, in order that the students have an open canvas to share fresh messages the following morning, once again noting what they appreciate and makes them happy, in essence, "What’s GOOD about TODAY?"  This board of positivity has helped many children change their "bad day" into a good one by reading the messages of their classmates. 

March 21, 2023

In honor of Our Wonderful Christian's wishes, we created an Academic Scholarship in his name, the "Christian Cochran, What's GOOD about TODAY?" scholarship at Pine Richland High School. In keeping with Christian's beautiful, loving generous nature, there is no GPA requirement. Christian would only care that you are a good person, someone who shows kindness to others. We look forward to reading the senior applicants' essays on all the good that they are doing - acts great and small!

December 13, 2022

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During this time of giving, our Family wanted to do something very special for the precious animals who are looking for their forever home. Four Footed Friends is a volunteer run, (no kill) animal shelter in Indiana, PA - close to Our Sweet Christian’s Alma Mater, Indiana University of PA. We chose to gift them $1000 from The Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, because Christian LOVED animals and would be so proud of all the effort the volunteers put into caring for, loving, and finding forever homes for so very many homeless pets. Check out Four Footed Friends on Instagram and consider a holiday donation to the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation! Let’s all continue the Ripple Effect of LOVE. May your holidays be full of Hope and Love ♥️

 

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November 1, 2022

Overwhelming Support for christian's message

October 1, 2022

The Strip! Magazine of Strip District & Lawrenceville

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August 24, 2022

Nature hike in Pine man's memory to support cancer survivors group

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May 22, 2022

Strip District church dedicates a garden to a positive parishioner

 

Link to Article at the Post Gazette

https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2022/06/06/church-dedicates-a-garden-to-a-positive-parishioner-strip-district/stories/202205220176

St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in the Strip District, one of the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s historic shrine churches, has a custom of releasing rose petals from the center of its ornate ceiling at the conclusion of Mass on some holy days or special occasions such as weddings. Falling flower petals, a ritual patterned after the Pantheon in ancient Rome, symbolize the showering down of God’s gifts.

Recently they showered on the friends and family of Christian Cochran.  - Jane Milner

April 21, 2022

The IUP Greek community came together on Thursday April 21 to celebrate the life of Christian Cochran and all those effected by Cancer.  It was a beautiful day and evening filled with joy and laughter to support the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund through the Pittsburgh Foundation.

https://pittsburghfoundation.org/christiancochran

Thank you to Sigma Chi as well as all those who helped to celebrate the life of Christian while remembering so many others that have been affected by cancer. It was an astonishing experience to see all those that came out to the event and it was great to able to share Christians messaging on “What’s Good About Today?” Thank you again to everyone in the community for all the love and support for this foundation 💚

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April 1, 2022

Pine family works to carry on legacy of son lost to cancer

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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March 20, 2022

Announcing The "What's GOOD about Today?" Memorial Water Garden at St. Stanislaus Church located at 21st Street in the heart of the Strip District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“What’s GOOD about TODAY?”

Memorial Waterscape Garden

Coming Soon May 2022

Lovingly Donated through The Christian Cochran Legacy Fund

to the Members & Community of St. Stanislaus Kostka

(see artist rendering)

 

The garden will hold two sets of three organic boulders springing from the earth that will feature a cascade of water continuously bathing the rocks. As Saint Paul extols us “May your love always flow and never cease, continuing to create ripples of Love.  Do Everything in LOVE.” - Corinthians 16:14

The symbolism of the rocks is taken from the  Gospel of Matthew - “And I also say to you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My church.” - Matthew 16:18.  The three rocks symbolize the undivided Holy Trinity; the unity of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, yet three divine persons.

 

The centerpiece of the memorial garden is the statue of an Angel. The Angel awaits and invites all with open arms into the garden. The Angel stands with open arms and holds a seashell, mirroring the beauty of the Holy Water font Angels in the church.   

 

You are being called and welcomed into the garden, and to Christ’s Love and Peace.  The Angel’s countenance emanates peace and tranquility beckoning with prayerful hands offering the shell, symbolic of our new life through the waters of Baptism and our pilgrim journey on this earth.  The statue is a reproduction of an antique religious statue from Lucca, Italy. 

 

There will also be a bench for you to rest on so you can contemplate and converse with Jesus who said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  - Matthew 11:28-30

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February 15, 2022

$2,000 OR (2) $1,000
The Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, through the Pittsburgh Foundation, has established a $1000 scholarship for a deserving senior who has participated as a member of the cast or crew of either or both, Fall Play and/ or Spring Musical. There has been a generous match for this scholarship so either the recipient will be awarded $2,000 OR there will be (2) $1,000 recipients. 

The scholarship is open to students regardless of intended college major. Christian Cochran was a 2016 graduate of Pine Richland High School and was a member of both the Fall Play and Spring Musical programs. He was President of the PRHS chapter of the International Thespian Society and a member of the PRHS Marching Band Drum Line. Christian’s Fall play credits include: Fahrenheit 451 (Captain Beatty), 1984 (Winston Smith) &The Bully Plays; Christian’s PR Musical credits include: The Music Man (Mayor George Shinn), Pippin (King Charles), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy Smith) & BIG. 

On August 26th, 2020, Christian was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the liver, Cholangiocarcinoma. When we told Christian how sorry we were, as his parents, that he had to have this awful disease, he replied, "It's ok, because if it wasn’t me, then it would be someone else that would have to endure this struggle.” From the day of his diagnosis to the moment he took his last breath, Christian never complained, not once, about his situation. He willingly accepted his extraordinary burden. Eventually, Christian's cancer went to his bones. Much of his spine, his femur, his hip, his shoulders became involved. Amazingly, he never complained. He would often ask us all, "What’s good about today?" It was his daily reminder to us all that we have to focus on all that is good within each day, and to make the very most of it.

On September 1st, 2021, Christian peacefully passed into God’s loving embrace. One month prior to Christian’s passing, he asked us to establish this scholarship at Pine Richland High School. As Christian explained to us, "I'm so grateful for the love, kindness and generosity of so many people. I cannot wait to pay it forward.” Christian was the most charismatic, kind, funny, creative, buoyant and positive person you could ever hope to know. He was loving, loyal, inclusive and generous. His brilliant beaming smile and boundless light were a source of joy and comfort to everyone whose path he crossed. 

November 24, 2021

As we approach the holiday season - a time of giving and gratefulness,  the Delta Zeta Sorority and Sigma Chi Fraternity at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) donated over  $2000 on November 24 to the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund through the Pittsburgh Foundation, a Foundation established in 1945, that works to improve the quality of life in the Pittsburgh region by evaluating and addressing community issues, promoting responsible philanthropy and connecting donors to the critical needs of the community.

“We are so grateful and blessed to see the generosity towards Christian's vision" said Chris Cochran, father of Christian.  "We are reminded every day about Christian's mantra "What's GOOD about TODAY?"TM
and this is certainly one of those days when something good happened thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of these great men and women."

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