The
Matthew Bellamy Project was founded after our 11 year old son and
brother, Matthew, was accidentally shot and killed by a friend in
January 2010. The gun that killed him was left loaded and unsecured on a
bed in a friend's home. Matthew went home from school to spend the
night with that friend and shortly after arriving at their home, he was
accidentally shot and killed by his 12-year old friend. Matthew's death
was an accident, but it was one that could and should have been
prevented.
Matthew
was a precious, loving little boy. He always had a smile on his face
and you simply could not be in a bad mood around him. He loved
God, his family and his friends. He loved playing soccer, baseball, and
basketball. He loved going to church, watching Sponge Bob, eating
pizza, text messaging his friends, playing computer games and doing
anything outdoors. Most of all Matthew just loved life! He was
never afraid to show affection to his family. He had many friends and
did not see color or differences in others. He lived his life fully and
completely; loving others and giving of himself generously. He lived his
brief life in a way that should be an example to us all. He touched
many lives in his eleven years on this earth. We now
believe that through his death, he will touch and change countless
lives.
Matthew was
a truly happy person and left a lasting impression on all who knew
him. Our prayer is that other families will hear of his untimely,
preventable death and take action to protect the children in their
lives. Our lives have been forever changed by the death
of our son/brother. It is our hope that by sharing our story, another family
will be spared the heartbreak we continue to live with every day.
Chip, Mylissa & Will Bellamy
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
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to read about Matthew's story in May's issue of Parent's Magazine!
to see Chip & Mylissa sharing Matthew's story in a local television interview.
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OUR MISSION
The
Bellamy family owns guns and respects the right of others to do so.
However, in spite of the fact that they keep their guns locked away
where their children cannot access them, they lost a child to a horrible
shooting accident. They share their story,
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asking adults to educate children about the proper handling of guns
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asking adults to take responsibility for unloading and locking up firearms
- urging parents to ask about unsecured firearms before allowing their children into someone else's home.
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The Matthew Project provides FREE gun locks to anyone who has unsecured firearms.
Chip
and Mylissa are available to speak for your organization, spreading
their message of safety and story of hope. Please call or email them for
more information.
Matthew Kenneth Bellamy
August 18, 1998 - January 22, 2010
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
