Dartmouth Shoppers Receive a Small Surprise in Memory of Maddie

Some fortunate Dartmouth Target shoppers were treated to a small act of kindness in loving memory of two-year-old Madison Daley Funk.

Madison died at her Virginia home in October of 2007. She would have just turned 15 this past September.

Her family friends, the Downs family of Dartmouth, honored her memory this year by sharing some goodwill, leaving $5 gift cards randomly placed throughout the Dartmouth Target store.

"In memory of my friend’s daughter, we placed gift cards at Target. Hope those that find them say a prayer in her name and enjoy some Christmas kindness!!!!"

The gift cards were placed in the children's clothing section and the baby section as part of an effort to spread awareness around the hazard that unstrapped furniture can pose to small children. Beneath the gift cards, was a note to learn about Maddie’s Message, a message that will bring you to tears as you get ready to celebrate Christmas with your own littles.

October 23, 2007 was just like any other day in the Funk household. Madison and her brothers, Tyler and Alex, woke up, were dressed, and fed breakfast. I remember this day specifically; Alex wanted "cheesy eggs". I had been ahead of schedule that day, so cheesy eggs it was. Little did I know that this would be the last breakfast I would be preparing for Madison. This was a Tuesday, so Alex and Maddie went on a play date while their big brother was in school. Once home, it was nap time. Both kids were put down for their nap as normal. This is where our life changed forever. When it was time to get up, Aunt “Yori” (as Maddie called her) went upstairs and witnessed the most horrific site anyone could imagine. Madison was lying beneath her dresser. Unconscious. After several attempts by Lori and the paramedics, Madison was pronounced dead.
Madison is one of several children who die or are injured each year due to "Furniture Tip Over". It was then that I realized that I had an obligation to my daughter to share our story, get the word out, and not stop until Furniture Safety, and Tip Over Danger was as common to parents as Car Seat Safety.
We know that our Maddie is watching down on us from Heaven, and would be proud to know that her family is keeping her spirit alive by getting her message, "Maddie's Message" out to the world. — Maddie's Message

Currently, Maddie's family is working on passing the Sturdy Act, which has been passed by the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate for approval. The Sturdy Act will make sure that testing and furniture safety is increased.

If you were one of the many out shopping at Target this past Wednesday and found one of Maddie’s Messages, be sure to share it with your friends and family. Maddie and her family would want to know her message helped save a family from an avoidable tragedy.