CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation

FAQs about the Thumbs Up Ball

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Thumbs Up Ball is less than 2 weeks away!
Do you have your tickets yet?

Over the last few weeks, we've received some questions about the event so I figured I would give some answers right here on the blog.

What is the Thumbs Up Ball?

It's a family dance celebrating Valentine's Day! It's a great opportunity for the family to enjoy an evening out. Plus, you will help your community. 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit families in the Richmond area dealing with chronic and life threatening illness.

When and where does the Thumbs Up Ball take place?
The event is on February 18th from 4:30-7 PM at Shady Grove UMC in Richmond's West End, 4825 Pouncey Tract Rd.

What should I wear to the Thumbs Up Ball?
There is no official dress code. You can come in your fanciest party clothes or your most outlandish Hawaiian shirt. If you have been looking for an opportunity to get dressed up for a night on the town, though, this is a great excuse. Richmond Photographics will be on hand to take family photos for a nominal donation to CJSTUF. How often do you get the whole family looking spiffy in one place?

What will there be to eat?
Pepicelli's Pizza of Ashland has donated pizza and subs. Kelly's Cakes will be providing cupcakes and a cake as well. We will also have coffee, tea, punch, and assorted snacks. This is an alcohol free event.

What activities will be there for the kids?
We will have some simple craft activities for all ages. Plus, musical entertainment from Offering will provide great opportunities to strut your stuff on the dance floor. There will be something for everyone.

I've never been to a Silent Auction before. How does it work?
Local businesses have provided some great items for our Silent Auction. We have everything from homemade kid's clothes to yard tools to manicures, massages, and gift certificates from great local restaurants. Each item or package will have a starting bid (usually half the item's value). During the event, add your name and bid to the items you want. At the close of the auction, the highest bidder wins! We have Silent Auction packages ranging in value from $35 for a ionic foot spa from Massage Within to $1500 for a corporate team-building training package from Comedy Sportz Richmond!

Do I have to bid on items in order to come to the event?
No. The Silent Auction and raffle are optional.

Raffle? There's a raffle too?
Each ticket to the event will give you one entry into the raffle. You can buy additional raffle tickets for $1 each at the event. We have a variety of raffle items including gift cards to local businesses and tickets to local events.

Should I bring money to the event?
If you wish to purchase family photos or bid on silent auction items, be sure to bring a little extra dough. We will be able to accept cash, checks, or credit/debit cards at the event.

Ok, you've convinced me. I'm in! How do I get tickets?
Go to the CJSTUF website and order tickets online. You can pay via credit card through our website or send a check within 3 business days.

Will you have tickets available at the door?
Tickets are $10 in advance. If we don't sell out, tickets will be $15 at the door.

See you there!

World Cancer Day

2012-02-04T12:06:00.001-05:00

Today is World Cancer Day.

We remember survivors. We remember friends and family taken far too soon. We remember the doctors, nurses, and researchers who devote their lives to searching for cures and caring for the sick. We remember our heroes who fight with their lives.

Many of us think of these things every day.

Before January 20, 2009, cancer was something that happened to other people. Before that day, I heard about a friend or acquaintance (usually an adult) who had received a diagnosis, who had died, or who was living in remission after a hard-fought battle. I felt empathy for them but I don't think I could completely understand.

When we were drafted into the war, Roger and I were brought immediately to the front lines. We watched our daughter endure surgeries and treatment protocols. We saw her lose her hair (twice). We waited for news on scans with anxiety and anticipation. We learned what was truly meant by the words "a matter of life or death."

Our lives will never again be the same.

As we recognize World Cancer Day, think of how you can make an impact with anyone fighting the battle. You don't have to cure the disease to make a difference.

Make a meal for a family in crisis. Offer to babysit for siblings so a parent can spend more time at the hospital or balance the rest of their lives with their child's healthcare. Send a note, just to let someone with cancer know that you are thinking about them. Let them know that you admire their courage.

There are hundreds of organizations in the world devoted to helping those affected by cancer. Some focus on research, while others focus on caring for the individuals and families at every stage of diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and (unfortunately) sometimes death. Use World Cancer Day as an opportunity to learn more about what you can do to help. You can volunteer your talents and donate your time and money to so many worthy causes.

Until we can eliminate cancer, we continue to remember.

The Thumbs Up Ball

2012-01-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

Have you made your plans for Valentine's Day yet?

Bring the sweethearts in your life to the Thumbs Up Ball!

This family dance will feature:
Live music by Offering, a diverse local band!

Family-friendly food provided by Pepicelli's Pizza and Kelly's Cakes.

Craft activities for the kids

We will have a Silent Auction with items ranging from massages, restaurant gift certificates, tools from Ashland Ace Hardware, veterinary services from The Housecall Vet and Wellesley Animal Hospital, a pink mini-cooper kid's car, tickets to Goochland Drive-In, and MORE! For more items, check out a full list of our generous sponsors.

There will be raffle items too! Each ticket to the event will give you a raffle ticket. Additional tickets will be available at the event for $1 each.

PLUS...take advantage of the opportunity to have the family "all dressed up". Richmond Photographics will be on hand to take family photos for a nominal donation to CJSTUF.

The best part? 100% of the proceeds will benefit CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation!

The event will be Saturday, February 18th from 4:30-7:00 PM at the Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Short Pump. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door (if available).

Get your tickets online at our website.

PS Don't forget to bring some extra spending money for the Silent Auction and Raffle. We will be able to accept cash, check, or credit cards at the event.

Share your memories with us

2012-01-06T15:22:00.000-05:00

Saturday January 7th will mark two years since Charlotte emerged from her consuming chrysalis and flew away as a beautiful butterfly.

We will remember the day with friends and family at 1 PM in our cul-de-sac. Anyone local is welcome to attend. We will have plenty of balloons and blank notes so people can write and send messages to Charlotte.

If you cannot attend our Remember CJ event, we invite you to remember sweet Charlotte in your own way. Please leave a message in the comments, either here in the blog or on our Facebook page, telling us how you have marked the day, a favorite Charlotte memory, or anything else you would like to share.

We appreciate the love and support that we feel from our community at this time.

With much love,

Rachel & Roger

If you have tissues handy, you're invited to watch this video created by our friends, Julia Dollison & Kerry Marsh, in honor of Charlotte. It's a beautiful tribute to our girl.

Radiance from Julia Dollison on Vimeo.

About the music: transcribed from Keith Jarrett's improvised solo piano recording in "Radiance Part 8", vocal a cappella arrangement by Kerry Marsh, lyrics by Julia Dollison, performed by Kerry Marsh & Julia Dollison.

Lyrics:

Sometimes in her sleep, she smiles.

Is she dreaming? is she far away?

Sometimes in her sleep, she laughs.

Is she happy? does she wish she could stay?

Sometimes in her sleep, she cries,

and you hold her and pray.

Morning comes, and she'll forget -

Things we dream about never make much sense.

Then the sun shines in, so bright,

just like her radiance.

All these moments fly by so quickly,

but she never seems to mind -

as long as you're by her side.

Sometimes in her sleep,

She awakens to find you were there all the while.

With a smile, she returns to her dreams.

How Cool is That?

2012-01-03T21:44:00.001-05:00

January is starting off with a BANG!

First of all, a group of aspiring marketing students at King William High School are using our organization for their DECA project. For one part of their project, they have created new CJSTUF plastic bracelets to sell at their school. They have given us a limited quantity of the bracelets to distribute to anyone interested in the Richmond area. Suggested donation is $1 per bracelet and all proceeds will benefit CJSTUF.

The bracelets are pink and purple and feature our name.

We will have a bunch of the bracelets at the Remember CJ event this Saturday. Roger and I will also carry the bracelets around until we sell out. Contact Roger (or me) if you would like to get a few.

Next on the agenda, there are only 2 more days until voting officially ends for the Eagle Rare Life Award. After all the votes are tallied, there will be an official selection process by the good folks at Eagle Rare to pick the top 20 and, eventually, the top 7 prize winners. We are hopeful that Rachel's strong third place status in the popular vote will yield great results for the foundation. There's still time to submit your vote. Thanks to all those who have been voting on our behalf. We expect to hear news of final results sometime in February.

Speaking of voting, Macaroni Kid of Richmond has generously offered to give $1 for every "Like" that their fan page gets on Facebook during the month of January (up to $200). If you live in the Richmond area and are looking for great family activities or deals, Macaroni Kid is a great resource. Please visit their Facebook page and thank them for supporting CJSTUF.

Finally, you may have heard through the grapevine that the Thumbs Up Ball is back! For those of you who remember the event from 2010, we are excited that this year's family dance and silent auction is going to be just as much fun! We will be in a new location this year (the Shady Grove Methodist Church in Short Pump) and the date is Saturday, February 18th, 4:30-7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 per person and space is limited. We expect this event to sell out and registration is open now on our website.

We are also currently seeking donations of items for our Silent Auction and raffle during the Thumbs Up Ball. If you would like to be featured as an event sponsor, contact our event coordinator for details.

That's all for now! Whew! What happened to that leisurely holiday vacation????

My Big Year-End

2012-01-01T01:45:00.002-05:00

Wait...that didn't sound right.

Well, it's that time again when it seems everyone is either making top 10 lists of what happened the last year or predicting what's GOING to happen next year.

Well, I'll jump on the band wagon and give you a list of my own.

Here's my list of top 10 (or so) businesses that didn't disappoint me in 2011 (in no particular order).

Cougot's Chimney Service - We had them replace the panels in the fireplace and then, when one of them cracked again, they replaced it for free even though they really didn't have to. They were polite and usually early. http://cougotschimneyservice.com/

Atlee Chiropractic Center - Dr. Anna Madland Bender has been the family chiropractor since before Charlotte was born and continues to be amazing for all her patients. http://www.atleechiropractic.com/

AAA - I need them, I call them, they're there. Plus, they even offer "Tipsy Tow" service in some areas for free and you don't even have to be a member. Call: 1-800-222-4357 to see if they are going your way.

Primos Pizza Mechanicsville and Pepicelli's Pizza Ashland - Between the two of them, that's where I eat 99% of my pizza. Yummy all around!

The Bed Corner in Mechanicsville - We bought a bed there. It's very comfy. http://www.thebedcorner.com/

Target - Because "there's ALWAYS something to buy at Target!" (Said Charlotte)

Cracker Barrel - the food is great, the service is fabulous, and they have all that wonderful candy!

Air Park Auto - We have gotten a lot of our basic maintenance done there. And as with most on this list, the service is always great. http://www.airparkauto.com/ He also has a party business on the side just in care you were in the market for a bounce house or something.

VW Motor Rebuilders - Speaking of auto repair, this is the only place Rachel wants looking at her car. The place kind of looks like a dive from the outside but the guy is knowledgeable, fast, and honest! 804-798-6437

Taza Coffee n Cream in Westover Hills - My little oasis across the river. There's a chocolatier on premises and they support the arts. I picked up a few pieces for the Art Auction by meeting artists who had art on the wall there. http://www.tazacnc.com/

And a bonus - Humana One Insurance. Yeah, I know we had to wrestle with them a time or two when we were getting treatment for Charlotte but they always paid and with the police I still have with them, it has come in very handy for the little esophageal procedure I had done and some other little things here and there.

And now for some predictions:

The Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos will meet again in Super Bowl XLVI.

CJ's CD will be recorded and produced with the help of the very talented local Richmond music scene.

Barack Obama will get re-elected but will choose Steven Colbert for vice-president and Jon Stewart for Secretary Of State. Hillary Clinton will begin writing children's books

CJSTUF will distribute $50,000 in financial assistance grants, meals, and emergency funds.

On December 13, 2012, I will wake up in a strange hotel room in North Korea with a massive hangover and a chubby Korean guy named Kim passed out in the bed next to me. Oh, and don't forget the llama with the red silk boxing trunks chewing on what appears to be the remnants of a US $1,000 bill.

And in conclusion:

Yet another year to which I say "good riddance" has ended although I can honestly say it didn't suck quite as much as 2009 or 2010. 2012 is shaping up to be a very good year for CJSTUF. Let's hope so.

If I could offer everybody one wish, it would be that you gain a little more peace this year than you had last year.

Now go have an adventure!

Remembering CJ

2011-12-30T15:25:00.002-05:00

For anyone interested in helping us remember Charlotte on the day of her death, we are going to have a small get-together at our house at 1 PM. We will have some helium balloons to release with notes to CJ. You may bring your own balloons/notes as well (no mylar please). Then we'll have some fellowship time with coffee and hot cocoa/chocolate milk for all. Anyone is welcome. There is an invitation on Facebook if you would like to RSVP

If you live far away and can not attend, you are welcome to remember Charlotte in your own way. Please feel free to share your remembrances on 1/7 on the CJSTUF facebook page or on our blog. We will set up a special page on January 6th and you will be able to add comments to that post with your memories of Charlotte or ways that you are remembering her that day.

Thank you,

Rachel & Roger

It's been a good day

2011-12-18T20:39:00.001-05:00

I don't think I spend enough time talking about the good moments we have. Lord knows I copiously inflict my bad ones on everyone when they come along.

Here are a few good things:

Today has been pretty good so far. The dark side has been trying to crowd out my happy memories (as it always does) but it has been kept at bay pretty emphatically. Lots of good things going on in our lives.

Rachel's doing more and more writing (the book is getting closer every day thanks to her work and some very capable editors), I'm even doing some freelance stuff for the local paper, we keep getting VERY generous donations for the year-end challenge match (which you all blew away, thank you very much!), and we feel very loved and supported from all over Tarnation.

A baby was baptized this morning and she was so adorable! I was reminded of when we baptized Charlotte up at Trinity in Fredericksburg. I especially remembered that purple silk Chinese outfit she wore. It was very slippery and I was constantly afraid that I was going to drop her. All of it filled me with a warm feeling. No leaking this time.

Another thing that has made me happy was the result of the Christmas Jar campaign at Westover Hills United Methodist Church. Last year, Donna introduced the concept to the congregation and they ran with it. People saved their change all year in Mason jars and then turned them in last week. There was an anonymous donor who agreed to donate $1,000 if 20 or more jars were collected. I believe at last count, there were 22. Those jars alone brought in around $1,000 which was distributed to the YWCA, a local elementary school, and some local at-risk youth among others programs.

I might have to steal that idea for CJ's Birthday in July. What do you think?

The Foundation Is looking very strong for next year and our amazing Board has had a huge amount of impact on that. The original founding members and the new ones coming on board have us feeling euphorically optimistic. We come across so many horror stories about "bad boards" that we are in awe of how awesome ours is.

As we all continue moving through the season we hope you can be comforted and find some peace and hope via the work you've enabled us/CJSTUF.org to do. Rachel and I certainly take refuge in it and will selfishly do so for the foreseeable future.

Don't be strangers and don't let the the energy wane,

Rog

Time for the annual posting of the "Disney Letter."

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Time for the annual posting of the "Disney Letter." 'Tis the season and all that...

February 12, 2010
Disney World Corp.
Magic Kingdom Guest Services
311 World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Dear All At Disney World,

I’m sure you receive letters like this frequently enough that you don’t really need me to write you another one but it is very important to us that you know about our trip and the events leading up to it.

On January 20, 2009, while Barack Obama was taking the oath of office, I was in a hospital emergency room with my then 3-year old daughter Charlotte Jennie learning that she had a very large tumor in her brain. We were admitted to MCV in Richmond, VA that day, she had a full MRI the next morning, and had her first of four brain surgeries on Thursday, Jan. 22.

We have chronicled our experience on www.CJSTUF.org so I won’t go into too much excruciating detail about that.

In the spring, we were approved for a Make-A-Wish trip. When asked what she would do if she could do anything in the world, she answered, “Go where the princesses are.” (Meaning Disney World, of course). We were planning to go possibly after the first of the year, after the majority of her current treatments were finished but in November we learned the worst. After all the surgeries, chemo, and radiation, the tumor was still growing. And it had moved to the brainstem. We were out of options and it was the opinion of our medical team that we needed to think in terms of weeks and not months.

The main goal in all of our lives was refocused to getting Charlotte to Disney World as soon as possible while she could still enjoy it. We contacted our local MAW chapter and they got on it, securing us a week at Give Kids The World Village Starting Dec. 1.

We arrived safe and sound and headed off to the Magic Kingdom the next day (Wednesday, Dec. 2). We were told the Disney staff would offer extra help to MAW families. We had no idea how deep Disney’s commitment to MAW would be. We were ushered to the front of lines all day and given preferential treatment everywhere we went. Characters went out of their way to visit with us and cast members seemed to seek us out to ask if we needed anything. We felt very well cared for.

Topping the list of amazing events for us were the character visits with Mickey and Minnie and then with the Faries Silvermist, Tinkerbell, and Rosetta. We arrived at the area to see Mickey and Minnie in the morning and toured both of their houses first. When we walked into the “barn,” it was almost an accident. This was our first experience with bypassing the long lines and we couldn’t believe it when we were actually walking into the room with Mickey and Minnie after waiting less than 10 minutes.

The visit was wonderful and both Mickey and Minnie conveyed to us, even without words, the care and concern they felt for us with extra long hugs for Mommy and Daddy from Minnie and multiple extra firm handshakes from Mickey as if he was trying to let us know through the glove how much he sympathized.

Charlotte was doted upon and given more time to be with them than I ever thought would be possible. We walked out on a cloud.

Not thinking we could top that for the entire trip (and it was the FIRST thing we did on the FIRST day there), we headed up to see what there was further in the park. We eventually found ourselves at the Fairies and Princesses venue and since we were having lunch at Cinderella’s Castle (generously donated by a friend), we decided to see the Fairies. The sign for wait times was set at 45-min but we got to go in the “other” way, which had us waiting about ten.

The following events are etched into our brains forever and we will keep them close for as long as we live.

As we neared the room where the fairies were waiting, we got Charlotte out of her chair and had her walk in. I held her hand as she was rather unsteady. She was greeted by Silvermist, who took her other hand and began to lead her over to a large flower to discuss the color similarities between the petals and CJ’s pink tutu. As Silvermist took her hand, Charlotte immediately let go of mine and totally forgot about us. It was as if she and Silvermist were best friends from long ago. It was truly magical! We had a video camera but seeing CJ so incredibly happy after all she had to endure made us completely forget to tape anything! It’s ok. We got lots of photos. We just watched and cried as Silvermist called Tinkerbell and Rosetta over to discuss matters of great import like what talent Charlotte might have. I believe they decided she had multiple talents.

Tinkerbell was Charlotte’s absolute favorite and they got to spend a lot of time together. CJ told her about all the other fairies and what they all did. All three fairies were so amazingly attentive and gentle with her. All the while we never felt hurried or pushed into leaving. Charlotte got to spend as much time as she wanted with them and when we finally left, we knew we had experienced something very special.

It wasn’t even noon yet. Did I mention this was the first day?

The next major thing was lunch at Cinderella’s Castle after a quick visit with Ariel (CJ’s absolute favorite princess!) in her grotto. I think I was looking forward to the lunch as much as anyone. When we walked in, Cinderella was greeting people in the front room and, of course, we were ushered right up to her. Charlotte had a wonderful visit with her and soon after, we were called up for our table.

This was another wonderful experience. The princesses all came in and made the rounds and CJ was in heaven! One humorous part was that when Belle (another of Charlotte’s favorites) came around, it was the exact moment the food arrived. CJ was very hungry and that hotdog was calling to her but at the same time, here was Belle! I’m sorry to say Belle didn’t get nearly the reception she would have normally received.

By the way, the food was divine!

CJ crashed after that and we headed back to GKTW for the rest of the day.

Day 2: (Thursday, Dec 3) We basically retraced our steps and did the exact same thing in the morning. Some cousins who came up from south Florida joined us. We toured Mickey and Minnie’s houses and got to see them again. This time we were in a different room but with the same results. They were wonderful again. Mickey pulled out a new trick and made his nose wiggle which CJ found very amusing. Again with the long visit and the extra care and everything. Oy! It was great.

The wait for the fairies was over an hour this time. We only waited 10 minutes again. Mommy was also ready with the video camera and it was rolling when Charlotte walked in. We were greeted by the same Rosetta who was there the day before. The first word out of Rosetta’s mouth was, “Charlotte!” The fact that she remembered CJ and the things they had talked about took our breath away. Again, it was like old friends getting together.

Rosetta was very cool and made sure the other fairies (the same Tinkerbell but a different Silvermist, we think) knew that CJ had been there before. “Hey look, it’s Charlotte who was here yesterday, REMEMBER?!? (hint, hint)”

It was another magical visit and this time Rosetta got the lion’s share of Charlotte’s attention. They were nuzzling forehead to forehead and talking quietly about the things the fairies and princesses do. I felt such a strong sense of affection between CJ and all the fairies and I can only think that they show the same to all the guests who come through.

Later in the trip, we went to Animal Kingdom and got to see Finding Nemo, The Musical. Charlotte was very tired and had been just lounging in her chair for most of the morning but as soon as the performance began, she was attentive, alert and watched the whole thing sitting up on my lap. We all particularly loved the bit with the penguins! It was very funny and penguins were CJ’s favorite birds.

One last item of note was when we went to Rafiki’s after the safari. Rafiki was greeting kids when we rolled in and his assistant told us he was just getting ready to go on break, which was fine since there weren’t that many people around and we had just arrived. We figured we’d talk to him when he came back out. Well, he caught sight of us and made a bee-line for Charlotte. I don’t think he got much of a break that time.

It is a testament to the talent and training of all the cast members that we had such an amazing trip. I sincerely hope they know that their job means much more to people like us than they could ever possibly imagine. It is evident even in the elderly street sweeper I met outside the bathrooms who showed me his very efficient technique for scooping up little bits of things. It was kind of cool and it stuck with me enough for me to mention here.

Charlotte Jennie Reynolds passed on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at home surrounded by stories, music, and love. It was a beautiful passing and Disney was a part of it.

I can’t imagine that this letter might make it’s way to the specific cast members with whom we came in contact but if so, please let them know that they have touched our lives and become permanent pieces or our memories forever. I’m sure they do it everyday and yet might not realize their impact.

Sincerely,
Roger and Rachel Reynolds (Charlotte Jennie’s daddy and mommy)
www.CJSTUF.org

The Challenge is On!

2011-12-13T08:03:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, we told you that we have thirteen families on the waiting list for Financial Assistance Grants. Today, we received an amazing challenge from a family that wishes to remain anonymous.

If we can raise $2000 before December 31st, the family will match the donation with an additional $2000. That will allow us to give eight families on our waiting list a financial assistance grant before January!

You can find out more about the great things we have done this year by checking out our Annual Report for 2011. With your help, we can continue our progress into 2012.

Who's up for the challenge? No donation is too small (or too big!)

Please donate using the special challenge badge on our website.

"One G# D&#ed Chocolate Chip Cookie"

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Or better yet, "That Damned Kiss." - A Mighty Wind

Or slightly more diffused, "You know you've ruined it for me..." - Out Of Africa

We all have had events in our lives where one little detail eventually became more than just a detail in the overall fabric of our experience. It morphed into an major element of the plot, influencing further development and screwing up your plan for where you thought you were going. This butterfly did that to me:

A few days ago, Rachel came in the house and said, "Have you seen the new butterfly?"

We both went out and she showed me the purple butterfly that someone had covertly attached to Homer the Pine Tree overhanging CJ's Butterfly Bush. We occasionally find things on or around CJ left by people we didn't see and they are always appreciated but I think I must have been in a certain frame of mind to receive this certain butterfly because it changed the course of my psyche.

Rachel and I had just come back from our vacation (it was fabulous, in case you hadn't heard) and I wasn't ready to get back into reality. On top of that, I had been having lots of little "moments" that were weighing me down. Moments brought on by the weirdest things. Like hearing a song or being in a place where Charlotte had been. The bus was certainly back, parked squarely on my chest, and my "woe-is-me" song writing machine was picking up speed. And a part of me was ready to stay on that path for a while. There's value (at least to me) in feeling the pain. At least when I feel the pain, I know I'm remembering her. (I hate "at leasts")

And then I saw that damned butterfly. It wasn't like the weight was lifted or anything too dramatic like that but it reminded me that people are thinking of us, which is comforting, and that I need to get my head on straight. It even altered the direction of one of the songs I had been working on for a long time.

The problem is that it was fixing to be a pretty good sad song before then. Now it's all confused and I may have to break it up into two different songs that sound a lot alike.

Be that as it may, the song writing machine (along with my attitude) has come out of its nose-dive and has leveled off for now. The moments are still there, nothing has changed in that respect, but I'm at least able to deal with them for the time being.

Thanks to whoever placed that damned butterfly.

In other news, the Foundation is ending the year with both good and bad news. The good news is that we were able to help 30 families, one way or another, to the tune of $14,000. That takes the total amount of aid since incorporation to around $27,000 in two years. (We thought we were closer to $30K for a while but it still ain't too shabby)

The bad news is that we still have 13 families on the waiting list. That's $6,500 if you want an amount. We're really hoping that some last minute fundraising opportunities will help narrow that gap.

One not-so-last-minute FUN-raiser is the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K on March 31, 2012. TEAM CJ will be in effect and there are different ways you can get involved:

1 - Join TEAM CJ, collect pledges, and run in the 10k. If you commit to raising $500 or more, CJSTUF will give you a code to register for free!

2 - Go to MY fund raising page and make a pledge. My goal for all of TEAM CJ is $10,000 but if I could do that personally, wouldn't that be totally cool!?! The Mother Runners are going to be involved somehow. We haven't solidified details but there may be a pink running skirt involved! :-)

3 - Be a cheer-er for TEAM CJ along the route. We need spirit, we know we do! We need spirit, how about YOU!?!

By the way, there are new racing shirts (real running shirts!) for all Team CJ participants!

GO TEAM CJ!!!

January will also be "Remember CJ Month" when participating stores will be donating up to 5% of sales for the month to CJSTUF. Our first participant will be the Bed Corner in Stonewall Square in Mechanicsville. Come buy a bed or mattress in January and help CJSTUF!

If you own a business or know of one that would be interested in participating, have them contact us asap.

I think that's all for now. I'm sure Rachel will be back on with something I've forgotten.

Bye for now,

Roger

p.s. If you want me to explain the chocolate chip cookie reference, please let me know.

As the year winds down

2011-11-06T09:32:00.001-05:00

What a weekend! We had such a wonderful time with the Comedy Sportz team. If we could make all our FUN-raisers work using improvisational sketch comedy, I think I would be a happy girl! There are so many people to thank:

Thanks to the fans who came out on Friday and Saturday evenings for our organization.

Thanks to Kate Hall and all the folks at Richmond Mom for promoting the event. Kate sacrificed herself to the comedy gods and the results were HILARIOUS! She does a mean Martha Stewart impersonation.

Captain Rachel takes on Captain "Boots"

The teams show off their mad rhyming skills in Doo-Rap

Kate Hall shows she's suited up
& ready for battle

Boots and sweatpants
are an excellent fashion choice

Thanks to Roger and CJSTUF board member Lauren Coe for also stepping up to the stage for a good cause. Lauren's boots were the hit of the evening on Friday and Roger wielded so much power on Saturday he was even able to rename cast members. If you happened to catch the late show, Roger and I even managed a brief cameo in the spit-take game. Let's just say things got a little damp on stage.

Thanks to Christine Walters, Dave Gau, and all the other incredible performers at Comedy Sportz for offering this opportunity to spread the word about CJSTUF and make some money in the process. There are talks of making this an annual event so stay tuned.

In other news, we just learned that the Spirited Art fundraiser will be delayed due to some challenges with their grand opening plans. We will announce when the event has been rescheduled.

This means that, as of now, we do not have any "official" events scheduled for CJSTUF for the rest of 2011. However, our wait list for financial assistance grants continues to grow. We still need your help and there are great ways that you can support our cause.

CJSTUF merchandise is available for purchase on our website. 100% of the proceeds from merchandise sales goes towards our Meal Fairies program, providing healthy snacks and meals to families in the hospital.

If you know someone who has a birthday coming soon, consider a request for gifts to CJSTUF in lieu of presents. We have some fabulous goodie bags that you can give your guests as a thank you for their donation.

Stave off the holiday weight gain and start training now for your next race! If you need more motivation, consider running your next race for CJSTUF. It doesn't matter if you're walking a 5K or running an ultra-marathon. Team CJ would love to have you on board. You can join our race team and ask your friends and family to support you through dedicated donations. New Team CJ race shirts will be available in 2012 and you can get your own personalized website to track donations.

Are you trying to make a little extra money for the holiday shopping season by selling your old stuff on eBay? Want to get rid of gifts that you didn't really want in the first place? Consider donating a portion of your eBay sale transaction to CJSTUF through the eBay Giving Works program. You can designate anywhere from 10-100% of your sale price as a donation to CJSTUF. In return, you get a portion of your selling fees refunded and help a great cause while you shop.

Finally, remember that our corporate partner, Barefoot Books, has great gift ideas for kids of all ages. Shop through the link on her website and a portion of proceeds benefits our organization.

That should keep you busy for a while. Stay tuned for news as we move towards 2012.

November Events

2011-10-29T12:20:00.001-04:00

Join us November 4th & 5th as we make you laugh for a good cause. CJSTUF is teaming with Richmond Mom and Comedy Sportz for two nights of laughter. Bring the gang out to this family friendly show and watch as representatives from CJSTUF and Richmond Mom join the Comedy Sportz Pros in improv skits and games.

Rachel & CJSTUF board member Lauren Coe will team up for the Friday show while Roger and RichmondMom founder Kate Hall will engage in a battle of wits on Saturday.

Roger, Lauren, and I attended one of their shows last Saturday and we were in stitches the entire night. It was a great show for all ages.

Admission is $10 per person and a portion of the proceeds will benefit CJSTUF.
Show times are 8 PM on Friday, November 4th & 7 PM on Saturday, November 5th.
Call 804-266-9377 to reserve your tickets.

If art is more your thing, join us November 14th at Spirited Art. We are honored to have been chosen by this new art venue in Short Pump to help with their Grand Opening. Spirited Art can help bring out the artist in everyone. If you can draw basic shapes and stick figures, you can create a painting masterpiece! Check out the details below, grab your friends, and reserve your spot!

On Sale Now!

2011-10-16T14:10:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love a sale?

All CJSTUF t-shirts have been discounted. We would like to get some new merchandise with the NEW CJSTUF logo but we need to clear out some of our existing inventory.

Start your holiday shopping and get a shirt for everyone in the family! Quantities are limited and these shirts will never be made again (at least with this design). Many shirts are available in adult and youth sizes.

Butterfly Tee, Ladies Cut (white)
Available in sizes S-XXL
Now $15
*Note: This shirt will not be discontinued

Bald Chicks Rock Tee (pink)
Available in Youth Sizes XS-L
and Adults Sizes S, L, XL, XXL
Now $11.25

Team CJ Tee (purple)
Available in Adult Sizes S-XL
Now $7.50

TUF Chicks Tee (pink)
Available in Youth Sizes 2T-Large
Now $7.50

TUF Guys Tee (pink)
Available in Youth Sizes 2T-Medium
Now $7.50

Also available: window clings, posters from the CJSTUF Art Auction (limited quanitites available), and the downloadable single of Strengthened By You.

The Art Auction 2011 Poster Design
Suitable for framing

Shipping is $5 for out-of-town orders but waived on all in-town (local pick-up) orders.

Do you have any ideas for new CJSTUF t-shirts or merchandise? Email your thoughts to us! (or just comment on the blog)

California Pizza Kitchen: This Thursday!

2011-10-09T12:06:00.001-04:00

First, a thank-you to the generous donors who supported us recently during The Amazing Raise. We did not receive any of the matching challenge grants but we did raise over $1000 in a 36-hour period! We hope that The Community Foundation will repeat this event next year.

The year is winding down. Can you believe it's already October? While our major events are done for the year, we do have some fun things to put on your calendar.

First, plan to eat your dinner at California Pizza Kitchen in Short Pump this Thursday, October 13th. Print and bring THIS FLYER to the restaurant and 20% of your order will benefit CJSTUF. This offer is valid all day for both take-out and dine-in options but you must have the flyer.

Also, keep the evenings of November 4th or 5th reserved on your calendar. You will not want to miss this! CJSTUF has teamed with ComedySportz Richmond and RichmondMom for an evening of improv humor. The shows are at 8 PM on Friday and 7 PM on Saturday. If you've never heard of Comedy Sportz, think "Whose Line is It Anyway?"

The show is all improv humor and will be very family-friendly. Here's the kicker: Roger, Rachel, and two representatives from Richmond Mom will join the comedy professionals on the stage for a night of fun. $2 from each $10 ticket sale will benefit CJSTUF.

More events on the docket for November (and maybe December too). Stay tuned!

The Amazing Raise Starts Today!

2011-10-05T06:16:00.000-04:00

This is it! Today is the day!

If you didn't have a chance to support us through the Art Auction...
If you've been looking for a way to help your donation go farther....

Join us in The Amazing Raise!

This 36-hour online giving event will start at 6 AM on Wednesday, October 5th and ends at 6 PM on October 6th. During this event, Richmond area organizations like ours will be eligible for matching gifts of up to $10,000 when we receive unique donations of $50 or more from our supporters.

It's super simple:

1. Go to our profile on the Give Richmond website (just search for CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation) or look for the webforms in this blog post and on our website. Give a donation of $25 or more. Prizes will be given to the Richmond-area organizations that collect the most unique donors. In addition, there will be other prizes given throughout the 36-hour period.

2. Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Encourage your friends, family and strangers to join you in The Amazing Raise.

The Amazing Raise goes from 6 AM October 5th-6 PM October 6th. Thanks for your support!

My Favorite Part of the CJSTUF Art Auction

2011-10-03T07:01:00.002-04:00

On Friday, the First Annual CJSTUF Art Auction took place at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen. It was a ton of work, most of it done by others. The lion's share of my contribution was to secure donations of art and be a cheerleader for the real worker bees of the event, Rachel and Michelle (Alford).

It was a successful evening and the fact that all of our expenses were covered before anyone even walked through the door made anything that came in from the actual auction pure bonus.

The dessert table, wonderfully set by Homemades By Suzanne, included a chocolate fountain (a MUST at any CJSTUF event). Coconut macaroons, strawberries, pineapple, and pound cake were skewered on big toothpicks and dunked in the chocolate and various other delectable chocolaty things were available to "make everything better" (since we know that is definitely the case).

The wine was very good and we are fortunate to know Ian at The Caboose in Ashland who donated it all.

Anthony Williams provided some great guitar music to start things off. Taught him everything I know. OK...maybe not.

Susan Greenbaum was masterful in her role as auctioneer. So masterful, in fact, that John Toscano and I never felt the need to assume our roles as co-emcees. We mostly did our best Vanna White impression and displayed/traded out art pieces as they were auctioned off.

But of all the great things that happened Friday night, I believe my favorite part of the evening was when Deb Price, mother of four including two with Sickle Cell Disease, came to the podium and spoke about their journey. She didn't come to ask for pity or grovel in appreciation. She came to be the face of what we do; to remind everyone in attendance of why they they were there and the reason we keep having fund raisers.

Well spoken and poised, she related Nile's and Olivia's story and the long recovery process involved with SCD and Nile's bone marrow transplant. No one else there could have said it better. We thank her for her candor and appreciate her courage.

The crowd wasn't huge but very generous and with what we've learned from this first event, next year's Art Auction should be quite the shindig! Mark your calendars now (we're not sure when but mark them anyway).

Next up on the docket is the Amazing Raise this week. Starting at 6am October 5, you can help CJSTUF win thousands in matching gifts buy donating just $50. Depending on when you donate, your contribution will count toward any number of contests that could bring us $1,000 to $10,000 above the actual donations!

Here is a list of the separate contests and I'd like to enlist your opinions of what THREE (3) areas we should target to maximize our impact. Please email Roger@cjstuf.org with your top three categories and, as always, spread the word!

Thank you very much,

Roger

Early results are in!

2011-10-01T07:28:00.002-04:00

Oh what a night!

Our first annual CJSTUF Art Auction was last night and it was, in a word, amazing!

I will have pictures and more information to post soon, but I can share a few things:

Over 30 pieces of art were auctioned for a total of over $2200
The raffle tickets and event registrations will add to that total.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, our costs were covered before the event even began so 100% of the money earned last night (and then some) will go directly to the support of families with chronic and life threatening illnesses.

There are so many people to thank:

Alyssa Ford and Meredith Hayes designed the decor and filled the room with pink and purple butterflies
Susan Greenbaum was the energetic, entertaining, amusing, and adorable emcee
Anthony Williams shared his talents on the guitar
Deb Price shared her experience as a beneficiary of a CJSTUF financial assistance grant
Our amazing Board of Directors helped in any way necessary, including setup, cleanup, and (most importantly) bidding on some fabulous art
Thanks to our generous sponsors who provided both financial and in-kind support to make this event possible:

Thanks to the 18 artists who donated their works to the event
Thanks to the local chapter of the American Heart Association for their generous loan of easels and display materials
Thanks to our event coordinator, Michelle Alford, who has been working on the details of this event for almost 6 months. Not only was this event a labor of love, but Michelle had her own labor of love this week when she gave birth to her second child, a baby girl, on Thursday morning. We were sad that Michelle was unable to attend the event but grateful for all the work she did to make the evening a success.

September is finished but October is still busy for CJSTUF.

Just a reminder to set your clocks for The Amazing Raise this Wednesday and Thursday. If you missed the Art Auction, here is a great opportunity to make a donation to our organization. Donate through the Give Richmond website from 6 AM October 5th through 6 PM October 6th and your donations may be matched through generous grants provided by the Community Foundation.

ALSO! Join us at California Pizza Kitchen in Short Pump on Thursday, October 13th. Bring this flyer, present it when you order and 20% of your sale will benefit CJSTUF. This is valid for both carry out and dine-in options.

Stay tuned for more news and events!

September Biz of the Month: An easy way to help CJSTUF

2011-09-08T17:31:00.000-04:00

Last night we hosted a Gold Does Good party at our house. Even with our small turnout, we raised over $300 for CJSTUF. How did we do it?

I went through my jewelry boxes and junk drawers and found a small box full of old, broken, unwanted jewelry and metal. There were a few unmatched, broken earrings, some tangled chains, and a few pieces that I just didn't want or need anymore.

Thanks to the high value of gold, sterling silver, and platinum, even these seemingly "worthless" pieces carried some great value! We got a debit card for the value of the items (Roger and I donated most of it directly to CJSTUF instead of keeping it for ourselves) PLUS CJSTUF gets an additional 12.5%. For more information, check out our website for details.

So now we want to know, who else is interested in

helping CJSTUF by selling your unwanted metals?

There is another Gold Does Good party hosted by Kimberly Johnson on September 17th from 7-9 PM at the Martin's Community Room at 11361 Midlothian Turnpike

We are also looking for at least one more person to host a gold party for CJSTUF. If you are interested in hosting your own Gold Does Good party during the month of September (or any time) and donating your hostess fee to CJSTUF, please contact us.

Carnival Cancelled due to Irene

2011-08-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. If you haven't guessed already because of the impending forecast, we are cancelling the Carnival and Bake Sale tomorrow.

We do not have a re-schedule date. With all of the upcoming fall activities (include our Art Auction and Biz of the Month!) the calendar is already fairly full.

We may look at a time to reschedule a less formal event like a bake sale and/or spirit night at Pepicellis.

Thanks again to everyone who volunteered to help.
Thanks to Pepicellis and Jade Enterprises for their help with all of the organization and preparation.

Better luck next time.

Stay safe this weekend and stay tuned for more upcoming CJSTUF events.

Carnival Update!

2011-08-24T21:31:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone!

Many of you have inquired about our plans for the Carnival and Bake Sale scheduled for this Saturday, August 27th.

You got questions? I got answers!

At last report, the storm is trending east and while we may feel some of the effects, many forecasts show that we will not get much rain (if any) west of I-95.

Soooo.. we are going forward with the Carnival as planned from 4-10 PM with a few exceptions:

There will no longer be a set admission charge. You may give a donation of your choosing "at the door".
We will still be selling beer, pizza, Kona Ice, and baked goods with $$ going to CJSTUF.
We will still have bingo for $1 per card. We've got lots of cool prizes to give away including passes to the Childrens Museum, Target and Olive Garden gift cards, a small motorized kid's car, and MORE!
The remainder of the kid's activities such as crafts, moonbounce, cornhole games, etc will be available weather permitting.

If you have offered to volunteer, please let us know ASAP if you are unable to attend for some reason. We are still accepting baked goods although we have a good bit left from last weekend's sale (they've been frozen for freshness!).

Please come out for what we hope will be a fun event for everyone! If nothing else, we can make it a Hurricane Party.

Obviously, if the storm takes a crazy turn, we will update and change accordingly. Stay tuned to Facebook and our website for more information.

So to recap:

Carnival and Bake Sale

August 27th, 4-10 PM

Pepicellis Pizza parking lot
208 S. Washington Hwy

Admission: donation of your choosing

Y'all come!

Questions? Contact Us!

September Biz of the Month: Mark Your Calendars

2011-08-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

Mark your calendars now! Our September Biz of the Month event is coming soon.

The September Biz of the Month is Gold Does Good

This time, you don't have to buy anything. Instead, we are asking you to SELL your gold, silver jewelry, and coins.

Local representative Beth Boston is helping CJSTUF. Here's how it works:

During the month of September, CJSTUF volunteers will host gold parties. You are invited to each open house and encouraged to bring your gold and other select metals (you can contact us for a complete list of qualifying items). Jewelry can be broken, tangled, or old.

You get: a debit card loaded with the full value of your qualifying gold or silver jewelry and coins.

CJSTUF gets: up to 15% of the total amount

It's that easy!

The first open house will be held:
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
5:30-8:30 PM.
9 Slash Ct., Ashland, VA.
You can come any time during the selected hours.

If you are interested in hosting your own Gold Does Good party during the month of September (or any time) and donating your hostess fee to CJSTUF, please contact us.

We will post here and on our calendar if more Gold Does Good events that benefit CJSTUF are scheduled.

PS There's still time to book your cake with Kalico Kitchen for the August Biz of the Month.

Remodeling and Renovation

2011-08-07T13:42:00.000-04:00

As you know, we've been busy with many things over the last few weeks. Over the weekend, Roger and I worked on some revisions to the website as we incorporated the new logo and the style changes recommended by our great team at the CreateAThon on Campus at VCU. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Big thanks to our web geniuses, Jay & Ruth Campbell at Jade Enterprises, for their help in this endeavor as well as their continued support by hosting the CJSTUF website on their server.

We took this opportunity to update our foundation video as well. You can view it here or on our website. Did you know that since we launched this video in early 2010, it has been viewed over 10,000 times? That's pretty amazing!

CJs Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF)

More PowerPoint presentations from Rachel Reynolds

The video is available on YouTube as well but I like this version better because it didn't cut off the song at the end. I think something happened in the conversion process.

Anyway, as you know, we've got a lot of events coming up in the next few weeks and we still need volunteers. If you can bake for the bake sale(s) on 8/21 or 8/27 or would like to volunteer some time at the Carnival on August 27th, please contact us today.

Thanks to our loyal supporters, blog followers, and friends for continuing to spread the word about our organization. We can't do it without you!

August Business of the Month

2011-08-03T09:00:00.003-04:00

Do you need a cake for a special occasion?

Kalico Kitchen can help! As our Business of the Month, Kalico Kitchen will give CJSTUF 20% for any cake reserved this month.

Jeni made Charlotte's 4th birthday cake and I can tell you that it was not only beautiful; it was delicious as well!

So what are you waiting for? Call Kalico Kitchen at 804-262-1966.

While we're talking about birthdays and other special occasions, this would be a great time to remind you that you can hold a Birthday Party for CJ any time of the year. Children (or adults) of any age can request donations to CJSTUF in lieu of presents and we will provide you with fun goodie cups filled with adorable swag PLUS a t-shirt for the birthday boy or girl.

Stay tuned for more information on our September business of the month. We just partnered with a local representative from Gold Does Good for an amazing opportunity. Imagine helping our foundation and getting paid for it! Stay tuned for more details in future blog posts as well as on our Facebook site.

PS Did you get our August newsletter? If you're not already on our mailing list, it's easy to sign up. It's the best way to stay hip to all the latest news (besides this blog, of course).

Check out our new look!

2011-07-20T21:50:00.000-04:00

We are excited to announce some big changes for CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation. In April of this year, CJSTUF was selected as one of 12 Richmond area nonprofits to participate in the CreateAThon on Campus project. Each team of marketing and advertising students worked with representatives from the respective organizations to help develop marketing materials.

At our quarterly board meeting on July 19th, the Board adopted the new logo and color scheme created by our CreateAThon team. We love it. We hope you do too.

The original CJ butterfly will still be around in various forms but look for changes in the coming months to our website as well as other marketing materials. You can see some of the immediate changes on our Facebook page! (Are you a fan already?)

This also means that all of our current t-shirts containing our old logo have now become limited edition collector's items! Get 'em while they last.

Stay tuned for more announcements with our August newsletter (coming soon!)