tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53092326994841025322024-03-05T09:24:55.006-05:00CJ's Thumbs Up FoundationRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.comBlogger443125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-76990820601766613442013-05-19T21:08:00.004-04:002013-05-19T21:08:57.925-04:00We have moved!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In case you hadn't noticed, the CJSTUF blog has been moved! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New updates can be found <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/category/blog">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can also subscribe to the RSS feed of our new blog via email for the latest updates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CJSTUFBlog" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="//feedburner.google.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CJSTUFBlog" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-31496716513915785622013-01-10T13:06:00.000-05:002013-01-10T13:07:41.898-05:00Yes, And...<br />
Some stuf: Part of the ComedySportz Improv Theatre mantra is, "Yes, and..." which, to me, means that when I am presented with a challenge, I accept it and add to the development of a resolution. Even if I am a tiny cog in the machine, my little part might help things along.<br />
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So we need a "yes, and..."<br />
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We need banks/financial institutions/check cashing stores in the Central Virginia Region willing to waive check cashing fees for our families. We want ALL of our financial assistance grants going to the families and their actual bills.<br />
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First Community Bank will do this because they are our bank and the checks are drawn on our account with them so that's normal but there are families who don't live near a FCB and don't have a bank account anywhere so they have to go to a check cashing store which charges 5-10%.<br />
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If you are affiliated with an organization that can help with this, please let us know.<br />
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There's nothing to gain for the organization. It's just the right thing to do and we will be very appreciative. I'll be more than willing to come in and meet with you or your manager to discuss options. Just let us know.<br />
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Yes, and... (I hand it off to you)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-72745034033882687232013-01-07T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-07T10:09:25.166-05:00Three Years (Pt. 2)What can we say about January 7, 2010 that hasn't already been said? Not much. Doesn't make us think about it any less. Doesn't lighten the load of remembering. Doesn't convince the bus driver to go park somewhere else. It still pretty much sucks.<br />
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So what I'd like to do on this third anniversary of Charlotte Jennie's metamorphosis is to offer you music that reminds me (Daddy) of her.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bcO1svqh_Q" target="_blank">The Great Remember</a> from the CD Rare Bird Alert is the latest tune that has her spirit all over it. The moment I saw this video of Steve Martin playing his original clawhammer banjo composition during his tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers, I thought of her. It has a beautiful, yearning melody and yet there are still wonderful elements of Martin's humor as he tunes before he plays.<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/9093710" target="_blank">Radiance</a> is a vocal version of a Keith Jarrett improvisation recorded by Julia Dollison and Kerry Marsh. I believe Kerry's sister put together the video slide show. It's heartbreakingly beautiful and very difficult for me to watch.<br />
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Charlotte certainly loved <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgCBx5S7h0o" target="_blank">Dora The Explorer</a>. She learned several Spanish words and phrases watching Dora and after her first surgery, when she started being able to speak, she counted to 10 in Spanish for us. It meant an awful lot to hear her do that.<br />
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The Chanticleer version of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9pYXC04K5I" target="_blank">Franz Biebl's Ave Maria</a> is another heartbreakingly beautiful piece and I can't hear it without thinking about Charlotte and becoming a blubbering mess. (The link comes complete with fireplace)<br />
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I believe someone introduced us to "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4JkdzDMF9c" target="_blank">Two Thumbs Up</a>" by <a href="http://www.johnnybregar.com/" target="_blank">Johnny Bregar</a> after Charlotte died or near thereabouts. It has become one of our official theme songs and Johnny has been tremendously generous to give us permission to do pretty much whatever we want with his recording. We promise not to abuse that trust.<br />
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Here's another song that someone sent to us after Jan 7, 2010. It's Jonatha Brooke's version of Woody Guthrie's, "<a href="http://grooveshark.com/s/New+Star/3FqzrB?src=5" target="_blank">New Star</a>." The lyrics are actually fairly odd but it came to us at the right time and now it has all kinds of meaning Woody never intended, I'm sure.<br />
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Of course, you didn't think I was going to leave out the Disney angle, did you? Let's start with the last movie Charlotte saw in a theater, The Princess and the Frog. There isn't a tune on the soundtrack that DOESN'T make me think of Charlotte and there was a time when I would obsessively listen to it every morning when opening up at Romp n' Roll (much to the chagrin, I'm sure, of the rest of the staff); however, I will include my favorite song from the movie, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD9tKWQYdcs" target="_blank">"Gonna Take You There."</a><br />
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How about some Little Mermaid? "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex3n6nFJbSo" target="_blank">Part of Your World</a>" seems so ubiquitous; so completely over played but it's a Charlotte song so I don't think I will ever get tired of it.<br />
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Next comes Mary Poppins. I don't remember exactly when this movie became one of Charlotte's favorites but all of a sudden, it was all she wanted to watch. So here's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g89NxTTycxc" target="_blank">Let's Go Fly A Kite</a>" which has become one of our unofficial theme songs.<br />
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Last but not least by any stretch of the imagination, here's Charlotte's favorite version of Charlotte's favorite song, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI7rhByKiUM" target="_blank">Frosty The Snowman</a> by Dan Tyminsky. We actually have a video of Charlotte dancing and sort of doing karaoke to this song. We also have video of several former NFL players singing this to her on her birthday on July 9, 2009 in the the Nelson Clinic at Children's Hospital of Richmond. THAT was something to see! Waddya know? You can! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUquLUOtVYE" target="_blank">Here!</a><br />
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I'm sure I've left off dozens of songs and I'll probably be adding a tune here and there for days. Please feel free to add your own song if it reminds you of CJ.<br />
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Today, we invite you to have a chocolate milk toast in honor of Charlotte and if you'd like, eat some "dadoo" (Cheerios or "round cereal") and mac n' cheese.<br />
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We love you so very much, Monkey Butt and miss you every day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-85905709382594746752013-01-06T20:46:00.001-05:002013-01-06T20:53:11.104-05:00Three Years (Pt. 1)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMrNDIovP3Scd6KEdY8XXg5o-PuXhlbTt34Th27J-825SVEPT1shygnlozyKKmg3sU5p-AJnZYr74BEjCIo0NRXu5WiEnL77WFggUcq6dDvt59Wb2gqRxYxCbrRPAiH0FveCZgG5dCKU/s1600/cjstuf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMrNDIovP3Scd6KEdY8XXg5o-PuXhlbTt34Th27J-825SVEPT1shygnlozyKKmg3sU5p-AJnZYr74BEjCIo0NRXu5WiEnL77WFggUcq6dDvt59Wb2gqRxYxCbrRPAiH0FveCZgG5dCKU/s200/cjstuf.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nBfwSuakFumisetZDyRVEUzudLJPWHwzxLKDKr2rt6mrkm0mJBiL95YRxeFRdgKBgluIIMg46bcOqg2Y95v7eXO7RXITxiaT7wyxocvBwPKuJo6pef8-skGIQZmA7OMSCVz6h6s1cYs/s1600/2013-01-06+20.26.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nBfwSuakFumisetZDyRVEUzudLJPWHwzxLKDKr2rt6mrkm0mJBiL95YRxeFRdgKBgluIIMg46bcOqg2Y95v7eXO7RXITxiaT7wyxocvBwPKuJo6pef8-skGIQZmA7OMSCVz6h6s1cYs/s200/2013-01-06+20.26.51.jpg" width="149" /></a>On January 6, 2010, <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/" target="_blank">CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation</a> was officially incorporated, the first step in our process towards 501(c)3 status. In the three years of our existence, CJSTUF has provided assistance (financial, material, and emotional) to well over a thousand people (children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, their caregivers, and families).</div>
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We couldn't have done it without the support of our fabulous and generous Network. You have answered every call for votes, donations, and time and for that we are grateful beyond measure. We blew away all of our budget/revenue projections for the year and are extremely stable heading into 2013.</div>
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More importantly, you have helped us ease the burden of many families facing the worst scenario anyone could imagine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4d60wLVpyM7m_U5OErOGalXy8awXNoriAS0VIkUwWL3VVSrGmOZ72f_E15lL5a9XlJiOVpribhXifk6ue84WLlqTwNMfy-SeICqUb7YMxAx98ipZFvrFvpd76VW8wue0_th63_0vZsc/s1600/thumbnail+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4d60wLVpyM7m_U5OErOGalXy8awXNoriAS0VIkUwWL3VVSrGmOZ72f_E15lL5a9XlJiOVpribhXifk6ue84WLlqTwNMfy-SeICqUb7YMxAx98ipZFvrFvpd76VW8wue0_th63_0vZsc/s1600/thumbnail+logo.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">The future is looking extremely bright for the Foundation and our pipe dream goals are seeming a bit less like pipe dreams than they did before. Please stay tuned for some great upcoming events including </span><a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/ai1ec_event/thumbs-up-ball-2013?instance_id=" target="_blank">CJ's Thumbs Up Ball in February</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/race-teams-2" target="_blank"> TEAM CJ's</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> participation in the </span><a href="http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/monument-avenue-10k" target="_blank">Monument Ave. 10K</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> on April 13, and CJ The DJ's Bluegrass (Mostly) Boogaloo on Sat, July 20. There will be a few surprises as well so pay attention.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYs6mvuGFsg8eCCGxb1XnbaTgHYiqaJlvRzCTcHmEDfmuLDpSLp-ioet6baqUToFA8AuocP9k2DO7XaqjsZmU7BzudOO07sOLQ_MHPRYB9nyl2O3PXZF9xOtjXPAZyfFJWj2MuL12nTV0/s1600/CJ_DJ_LOGO_E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYs6mvuGFsg8eCCGxb1XnbaTgHYiqaJlvRzCTcHmEDfmuLDpSLp-ioet6baqUToFA8AuocP9k2DO7XaqjsZmU7BzudOO07sOLQ_MHPRYB9nyl2O3PXZF9xOtjXPAZyfFJWj2MuL12nTV0/s200/CJ_DJ_LOGO_E.jpg" width="200" /></a>Thank you, also, for helping US deal with our own grief as well. Doing what we do is as much therapy for us as it is beneficial for our families.</div>
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We wish you peace for the coming year but hope you will also help us partake in a little excitement for CJSTUF along the way.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Roger and Rachel</div>
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Charlotte Jennie's Grownups</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-9116987420936026712012-12-12T18:10:00.001-05:002012-12-12T18:10:35.601-05:00A reminder of our mission<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week, I had the opportunity to give $4000 to families in need. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters, <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/">CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation</a> has had a wonderful year. At the December board meeting, our Board of Directors voted to award all eight families on the waiting list with Financial Assistance Grants. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18Ib0hWfV5XMvcehXR8jD8GDImWyWP61AORKiz1t4og-0D0jItXHrrAZNKvGP8FjI6VWI55vW_gKGpU9EnhcTwqQN8eFIRBDI1fSOxXOVc5CDuuDDf9HN-w1gpZPzc3IGP2qQs0kpKnc/s1600/logo_color.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18Ib0hWfV5XMvcehXR8jD8GDImWyWP61AORKiz1t4og-0D0jItXHrrAZNKvGP8FjI6VWI55vW_gKGpU9EnhcTwqQN8eFIRBDI1fSOxXOVc5CDuuDDf9HN-w1gpZPzc3IGP2qQs0kpKnc/s320/logo_color.png" width="280" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This means that, to date, CJSTUF has provided over 100 families with <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/financialassistance">financial assistance</a>, either through grants or emergency aid since its founding in January 2010. These families face incredible challenges. One child has a breathing tube and g-tube (feeding tube) and relies on round-the-clock care by her family and nursing support. One girl is less than two years old and is facing multiple open-heart surgeries. Half of the recipients are battling cancer, facing multiple hospitalizations with intensive medications and therapies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While $500 will not solve any family's financial woes, that amount of money can make such a substantial difference. These grants are providing assistance to pay utility bills and rent. One grant will help a family place a deposit on a new apartment. They have been living with other family members for over a year. These grants also help provide assurance to our families: they are not alone. The community cares about their needs. We are here to help. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M_zreYBvPagZgCXpulunyEbKWfdmmlzPm2SwlnULOke4hV6gh8-cwxS89qTySVmNVu-Iha3qaBS409-I8DXKol6REOiErOgDfMkoqHEO-ZXB0ZdIJKHcsliaWzIikLxDFbhI0-KnuHQ/s1600/my+favorite+pic-compress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M_zreYBvPagZgCXpulunyEbKWfdmmlzPm2SwlnULOke4hV6gh8-cwxS89qTySVmNVu-Iha3qaBS409-I8DXKol6REOiErOgDfMkoqHEO-ZXB0ZdIJKHcsliaWzIikLxDFbhI0-KnuHQ/s320/my+favorite+pic-compress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a selfish note, these grants give me a way to pay it forward. We keep Charlotte's spirit alive through the work of the foundation. Every time I write a check to these families and address their envelopes, I think of my own inspirational butterfly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for helping to make all of this possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Rachel</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Co-founder & Executive Director</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">CJSTUF</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-4529535308591500792012-11-26T08:31:00.000-05:002012-11-26T08:32:53.687-05:00Some VERY quick announcements!Roger will be wrapping gifts at the Chesterfield Towne Center Barnes & Noble from 10am-2pm today! There are other dates as well and some need a volunteer or two. You can go to the website and <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/giftwrap" target="_blank">sign up</a> if you'd like to help out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAlJHHVdtiJrHhjaNo5VlWQRV3JQUazydx57JleVRWIhu2yK_P-8YSnsxm_640TXnvmLOtQUx2Z8xi_8okISfCBBYoKuFUWr3djaVGImnq1LjXi2rG_0qaWz2JJSCs4SbpwgZmZMB-KM/s1600/HH4CJbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAlJHHVdtiJrHhjaNo5VlWQRV3JQUazydx57JleVRWIhu2yK_P-8YSnsxm_640TXnvmLOtQUx2Z8xi_8okISfCBBYoKuFUWr3djaVGImnq1LjXi2rG_0qaWz2JJSCs4SbpwgZmZMB-KM/s200/HH4CJbanner.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><br />
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Today is also "Cyber-Monday" so please surf the web on over to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeHomies4CJ?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share" target="_blank">HandmadeHomies4CJ</a> which is our Business Of The Month for November.<br />
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If you are planning travel in the next year and can wait to book until February, the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm" target="_blank">BOTM</a> will be right up your alley.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kY6spSzqq2q8SHCYVLn6rvmYLFWHCFuJ3RF-VEJguldU_Hso3O9Py5hz0pX74xolhKc7IUBvYIoN0o2FOB5e8ZQO-FtwK4rJsM5gx8CpegyfxJQQ5Nq6NM7k9ANUNI9gePE8jeVfv5o/s1600/Tiffin+U.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kY6spSzqq2q8SHCYVLn6rvmYLFWHCFuJ3RF-VEJguldU_Hso3O9Py5hz0pX74xolhKc7IUBvYIoN0o2FOB5e8ZQO-FtwK4rJsM5gx8CpegyfxJQQ5Nq6NM7k9ANUNI9gePE8jeVfv5o/s200/Tiffin+U.jpg" width="200" /></a>Rachel and Roger will be travelling to Tiffin, Ohio this weekend for a multi-pronged event at <a href="http://www.tiffin.edu/" target="_blank">Tiffin University</a>. Roger will be guest-performing at the annual <a href="http://www.ritztheatre.org/calendar.html" target="_blank">"Christmas At The Ritz"</a> concert on Saturday, Dec 1 and MIGHT be doing a vocal improv clinic for the students. Rachel will be doing a book signing at the TU Bookstore as well.<br />
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The concert is a fundraiser and CJSTUF will be one of the beneficiaries.<br />
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Besides Black Friday and Cyber-Monday, another new trend is "Give Back Tuesday" where people are encouraged to donate to the charity of their choice. Here's the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1" target="_blank">DONATE</a> button. Why wait 'til Tuesday?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-55022275317692486712012-11-12T10:41:00.000-05:002012-11-12T19:43:03.921-05:00We Still Mourn, But It's Different<br />
It never really ends. We think about our beautiful baby girl every day; several times a day. Sometimes it's pretty much constant.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufHiDuJayx-qtvWmKcO5NSRDaeYwCDpRe2aIoIOaeYYBURltf6llm1Za7HB-pgfoteAu-6xD7D81C6Za0XpS1v6vU8edbYbWgxvWQ4Az_vBb8mGgQ5qkliMXz4M_uwXvVpXWI0-KYTu8/s1600/CJ+Ladybug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufHiDuJayx-qtvWmKcO5NSRDaeYwCDpRe2aIoIOaeYYBURltf6llm1Za7HB-pgfoteAu-6xD7D81C6Za0XpS1v6vU8edbYbWgxvWQ4Az_vBb8mGgQ5qkliMXz4M_uwXvVpXWI0-KYTu8/s200/CJ+Ladybug.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Our adorable little ladybug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Take Wednesday, October 31 for example. Throughout the day, as many of our friends and family were posting photos of their kids' costumes and discussing preparations for the evening's festivities, we were constantly reminded of the four Halloweens we were fortunate enough to spend with Charlotte. One of our strongest memories is of Charlotte's second Halloween when she dressed as a ladybug and was quite possibly the cutest thing that EVER walked this Earth! We took her to Randolph-Macon College to trick or treat in the dorms and it was so amazing to watch her figure out that when she knocked on doors and babbled something, the smitten students would give her stuff. It was the first time I felt that parental melancholy that comes with knowing she'll never be this small again.<br />
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This year, we set up our traditional table out by the street and had a great time handing out goodies and seeing all the kids and great costumes; all the while thinking of our little peanut.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUKFtL9gxnPLzLB95FKpYTpymDaa-xkZicPeYRaB5JdReNucNaBLkSQuJI4vGsGwNifP5k15ptEM4SXEU8YKBgEJRsnqqvNGdBbwM4V-X5YTZDHnmlqjxWSV7EZQpGlFtoICYaaeN8_s/s1600/CJ+Voting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUKFtL9gxnPLzLB95FKpYTpymDaa-xkZicPeYRaB5JdReNucNaBLkSQuJI4vGsGwNifP5k15ptEM4SXEU8YKBgEJRsnqqvNGdBbwM4V-X5YTZDHnmlqjxWSV7EZQpGlFtoICYaaeN8_s/s200/CJ+Voting.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">CJ on Election Day 2008</td></tr>
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Or take Tuesday, November 6. Election Day. This was always a BIG day for us. Both of Rachel and I were determined to teach Charlotte about the democratic process and to encourage her to develop her own voice on whatever issues she would face as she grew into an adult. We always brought her with us when we voted, even in the local elections. I would schedule my day around when I would be able to take Charlotte to the polling place and often she would "vote" twice in a day.<br />
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She filled our thoughts as we participated in the 2012 election.<br />
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And now we head into the Holiday Season and a new round of memories are poised to take over, keeping the mourning front and center.<br />
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It never really ends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yog6X7XJWkIT-vJS9Rl07vwdRyO1vf2g0eGJtyH84to_iFHqLCx7f73PkJ2wW_b0VA5Seq8ox1gNXtzILGB4r0nc_9DB3cmEjPBcduzJs-M2JspcuWXROFR_PqRVBGC8J8KZKfamX90/s1600/Connor's+Heroes+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yog6X7XJWkIT-vJS9Rl07vwdRyO1vf2g0eGJtyH84to_iFHqLCx7f73PkJ2wW_b0VA5Seq8ox1gNXtzILGB4r0nc_9DB3cmEjPBcduzJs-M2JspcuWXROFR_PqRVBGC8J8KZKfamX90/s200/Connor's+Heroes+Logo.jpg" width="137" /></a>And yet, it's a little different now. There are more of those good moments. Like last Thursday at the Lunch Bunch which CJSTUF facilitates at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU in conjunction with <a href="http://www.connorsheroes.org/" target="_blank">Connor's Heroes Foundation</a>. The food was catered by <a href="http://www.christophersrunawaygourmay.com/" target="_blank">Christopher's Runaway Gormay</a> (SO yummy!) and we served 71 people a good, moderately healthy meal when they might have had to visit the vending machines or resort to paying for fast food downstairs. We know from experience that is something families should NOT have to deal with while facing a child's health crisis.<br />
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We also meet new friends every time we serve meals which lets them know about resources and provides us more reason to continue to expand the program.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASISBL4vl8_EpqJXQCoiKAjcF5RJVTGHCFseF0_F3NY-sbBK6gl-MEnxlZBe3___81wqo0On5I22TB8RNeN37zgLyXdd8plBsb2OYskp6sbvaGomCWesfcDcx1OSrebCWad7vsBwvvwA/s1600/AmFam+Half-Marathon+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASISBL4vl8_EpqJXQCoiKAjcF5RJVTGHCFseF0_F3NY-sbBK6gl-MEnxlZBe3___81wqo0On5I22TB8RNeN37zgLyXdd8plBsb2OYskp6sbvaGomCWesfcDcx1OSrebCWad7vsBwvvwA/s1600/AmFam+Half-Marathon+Logo.JPG" /></a><br />
Then there was November 10. I ran the <a href="http://www.richmondmarathon.com/" target="_blank">American Family Fitness Half-Marathon</a> (part of the Richmond Marathon) and Rachel did a book signing at an arts and craft show where she sold some books and connected with several supporters.<br />
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Saturday morning, I almost decided not to do the half-marathon at all since I had popped something in my knee last Monday and it had been hurting all week. I wasn't sure if I could even finish the race. Then, of course, when I thought of Charlotte and what all the other families have endured, I put my whining away and suited up.<br />
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Good thing I did because it was probably the most fulfilling race I've ever run! I got a lot of extra motivation right at the start line when I saw a man wearing a t-shirt that read, "13.1 Is Still Easier Than Chemo." Amen, dude.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfMRw13lEdgWhUs1eVr-2nJI1zGlOj1kiUtzZN-7U9ygofeNiGqk3KTJ0XoTbygWeBIS95FW3Bzx9h1a0KCzd4-OTbXKxjDJVhQ1D2N1Vxo_MuTt1_xIi0eMUs1V_sSo2ZT82roEOCnY/s1600/Reesestrong.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfMRw13lEdgWhUs1eVr-2nJI1zGlOj1kiUtzZN-7U9ygofeNiGqk3KTJ0XoTbygWeBIS95FW3Bzx9h1a0KCzd4-OTbXKxjDJVhQ1D2N1Vxo_MuTt1_xIi0eMUs1V_sSo2ZT82roEOCnY/s200/Reesestrong.png" width="200" /></a>Throughout the event, my mind was full of thoughts of Charlotte and so many others whose paths we've crossed. I thought of Abbie Waters as I passed her old school, I thought of CJ's Godparents as I passed their house, I thought of the Klauers, the Goodmans, the Hubbels...lots of others. I met a woman within the the first two miles from Newport News who was running her first half and only the third time, "in front of people." I fell in with a small group of people at around the halfway point, many of whom just happened to have leg and knee issues. There was a lot of self deprecating humor being passed around but we all finished! And all along the way, were the occasional shout-outs to CJ's Daddy (on my bib) or Team CJ (on the shirt) or people who recognized me and shouted encouragement. I can't tell you how much that helps!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2QkKPDb9aNRo4gb19K1PXgbC7HPrxCzdg-rskrW419w6CcjT45K0kjojcEEAt7SO1slClq6NJYTc4yxDXwTPIRLzqDRi3FpUU5KfWHAbK3fz_-PDIO_MfAE-0WNhXfyQZ334xHHzv_w/s1600/Kristin's+Funky+Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2QkKPDb9aNRo4gb19K1PXgbC7HPrxCzdg-rskrW419w6CcjT45K0kjojcEEAt7SO1slClq6NJYTc4yxDXwTPIRLzqDRi3FpUU5KfWHAbK3fz_-PDIO_MfAE-0WNhXfyQZ334xHHzv_w/s200/Kristin's+Funky+Shoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Kristin Mudd's Funky Shoes</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TDjlE60j1WY_5Lr1p9dVq4qThaybSp-zny_1o7gjqsmPXsmEJbez8v3hI77J2eZoukrcNSCSLfQ0QXJuGpFHnPaR-QmWF87o38UIxV2GkKpLfrMD_yqP1aZXlCRSxruIKb3iJxwhNDE/s1600/Kristin's+Funky+Shoes+Flipside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TDjlE60j1WY_5Lr1p9dVq4qThaybSp-zny_1o7gjqsmPXsmEJbez8v3hI77J2eZoukrcNSCSLfQ0QXJuGpFHnPaR-QmWF87o38UIxV2GkKpLfrMD_yqP1aZXlCRSxruIKb3iJxwhNDE/s200/Kristin's+Funky+Shoes+Flipside.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Kristin's Funky Shoes Flipside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I finished (the main goal!) in about 2 hours and 40 minutes, the knee held out, and crossing the finish line, I let out a "WHOOP" like I never have before. It was a great moment. Then I caught up to Kristin Mudd and her funky shoes! It was her first half EVER! Kudos to her.<br />
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And CJSTUF continues to grow. Thanks very much to Rachel's very capable Executive Directorship, our wonderful board, and support from the Network, we are having a tremendous year of fundraising and providing resources to our families. We just had a very productive Strategic Planning Session and we have homework to do, after which, we will be ready to take a step up to the next level of operation for 2013 and beyond.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Mu0EyNot3Iy29hGX7MHnL1CBzKR9qNpjH2yAv_VaOflPaJJA8t6CdJoJDOTLb7_7DfvKxliO6b0AqAkRhNGbwceThSqLgt9zmP2qzbJh_ejtmLH77V1CjRmjqpVegqXo8luLUrr2NGY/s1600/2012-11-09+12.19.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Mu0EyNot3Iy29hGX7MHnL1CBzKR9qNpjH2yAv_VaOflPaJJA8t6CdJoJDOTLb7_7DfvKxliO6b0AqAkRhNGbwceThSqLgt9zmP2qzbJh_ejtmLH77V1CjRmjqpVegqXo8luLUrr2NGY/s200/2012-11-09+12.19.15.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">At Positive Vibe Cafe</td></tr>
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So the therapy continues and, quite possibly, it's working. Maybe. Just a little.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-58361955903501974912012-10-18T09:26:00.000-04:002012-10-18T22:12:38.114-04:00Every Day Is A Bonus!That's one of our catch phrases.<br />
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It evolved during Charlotte's treatment out of the realization that we may be spending our last days with her. It's our statement that no matter how inconvenient it may be to have to wait at the toll booth, or find that a piece of technology isn't working correctly, or to get mayo on your burger (when you expressly ordered one with NO MAYO!), it's all pretty insignificant when compared to the fact that the time you have to spend with loved ones is finite and can end at any moment.</div>
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Every Day Is A Bonus!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6BcjSC0ozWSExyCJfwIDxasIo3u2U2eJ4EBrCGgy2JjYjjEQYEvUkG7mZsUIsf-OIQtpb2MNoBaI45hdWlIN1QLKmebnOzEsp4VI-XX4kSPBLLupvabvBfKufZw143pYpulU-xBE6Ww/s1600/Event+Poster+Final+9.14.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6BcjSC0ozWSExyCJfwIDxasIo3u2U2eJ4EBrCGgy2JjYjjEQYEvUkG7mZsUIsf-OIQtpb2MNoBaI45hdWlIN1QLKmebnOzEsp4VI-XX4kSPBLLupvabvBfKufZw143pYpulU-xBE6Ww/s320/Event+Poster+Final+9.14.12.jpg" width="211" /></a>Like anyone, we find ourselves losing sight of this, occasionally (not very often but it happens). We need reminders that Every Day Is A Bonus which is why we wear the bracelets, have photographs of Charlotte all over the place, and spend nearly every free moment we have working on/thinking about CJSTUF stuf.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigajVO08ZqKnnLyfkxGqQFeoq4ea2Pj704_akf5DEJnKda1bQLlAd2whBvbdGHtkO36SuvkME2DMo-xAZHMGMD1zc-5z-JL5crOBFkg6gUXFH6TFRf5d4RpKOtBXz0SVXFQRxhj6eAOQU/s1600/2012-09-17+14.26.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigajVO08ZqKnnLyfkxGqQFeoq4ea2Pj704_akf5DEJnKda1bQLlAd2whBvbdGHtkO36SuvkME2DMo-xAZHMGMD1zc-5z-JL5crOBFkg6gUXFH6TFRf5d4RpKOtBXz0SVXFQRxhj6eAOQU/s200/2012-09-17+14.26.16.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedonna Wakeman's piece</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3" target="_blank">The Fall Art Auction</a> is coming up tomorrow at the Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen and we're all working feverishly to get everything in place. Besides the fact that it's a cool fundraiser, it's also one of those big reminders. It's a reminder to us that what really matters isn't how much money we bring in but the fact that so many wonderfully talented artists have donated pieces for our event - everything from pieces of jewelry to a beautiful 4' X 5' painting from Pirate Alley Artist Bedonna Wakeman to a "commissioned" piece from one of our youngest contributors, Ani Checkosky.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQRt5MCX-fU8wCc8-9U3z8NCQ6oM6Xj_EGXGEaFyKC22RGrpIREJAJ1NrdTsUfZyHZXGqgLUAql02NOBMLsTICuMLWgLNp_t0pAwEzZ-ZteBBzjXLtu8mG59so3trpBQINxF8wKVvUXw/s1600/53479_10151065750816277_1584058791_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQRt5MCX-fU8wCc8-9U3z8NCQ6oM6Xj_EGXGEaFyKC22RGrpIREJAJ1NrdTsUfZyHZXGqgLUAql02NOBMLsTICuMLWgLNp_t0pAwEzZ-ZteBBzjXLtu8mG59so3trpBQINxF8wKVvUXw/s200/53479_10151065750816277_1584058791_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>These artists remind us that Every Day Is A Bonus!<br />
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There are also the volunteers who will be giving of their valuable time to make sure we have an event worth attending. This includes three live interactive artists who will actually be creating pieces during the event to be auctioned off at the end of the evening. There are also Brothers of Alpha Phi Omega from Randolph-Macon College, auctioneer Marlynn Turner, and of course, members of our amazing Board who will be helping to remind us.<br />
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The generous sponsors and those who have <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/register?id=3&reset=1" target="_blank">donated in lieu of tickets</a> because they are able to attend remind us.<br />
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And the end result of it all, besides keeping US centered, is continued support of the families in the best way we can with the resources we have been allowed to gather from you.<br />
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Now if we have a bit of fun while we gather those resources, can anyone blame us? Because, "Hey, if you can't boogie, then what's the use?"<br />
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Did I mention the chocolate dessert bar with chocolate fountain? What about the wine donated by Ian at the Caboose in Ashland or the very special surprise that we will be unveiling? Reminders, reminders, reminders...<br />
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Tell those you love that you do.<br />
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Every Day Is A Bonus<br />
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Even now.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-30525422491620769442012-10-09T09:41:00.001-04:002012-10-09T09:41:05.200-04:00Right Now, Standby...<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s focus today’s
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDeW_KnhiOtVGYU5bndfc3Wy-iacCoXJS6ASretAJwSUKMkXPqXX4-lzwvwocZz4OpFsDQ_ZsUyguzqsxcKJHGTQmX39JLyNVw4JbgPD9DEZMRe6aJVfzGoZhm3MBtvqjy-6EwZhO5sM/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDeW_KnhiOtVGYU5bndfc3Wy-iacCoXJS6ASretAJwSUKMkXPqXX4-lzwvwocZz4OpFsDQ_ZsUyguzqsxcKJHGTQmX39JLyNVw4JbgPD9DEZMRe6aJVfzGoZhm3MBtvqjy-6EwZhO5sM/s200/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The picture
to the right is of the latest round of $500 <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/financialassistance" target="_blank">financial assistance grants</a> headed
out in the mail today. Five more
families helped. Five more unbearable
situations made a tiny bit more bearable.
That brings the total number of families helped since <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/" target="_blank">CJSTUF’s</a> inception
to 95 (We’ll be hitting 100 soon enough)!
That doesn’t include the hundreds of people fed during the Lunch Bunch
and other meals programs facilitated by the Foundation or the emergency
financial assistance provided in the form </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">of utility bills paid, gas cards
purchased, etc...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s only
one way these things happen and that’s through your generosity. Roger and Rachel Reynolds, <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/boardandstaff" target="_blank">The Board ofDirectors</a>, and all involved with CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation would like to thank
everyone who have helped make this year more successful that we could have possibly
imagined. And it’s not over yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our most
recent fundraisers, <a href="http://giverichmond.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html" target="_blank">The Amazing Raise</a> and the <a href="http://www.groupon.com/deals/grs-cjs-thumbs-up-foundation" target="_blank">Groupon Grassroots</a> Campaign, have
raised over $4,000 ($2,300+ of that guaranteeing at least 7 <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/mealfairies" target="_blank">Lunch Bunch</a> meals
which will feed no less than 420 people).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next
thing is the <a href="http://www.eaglerarelife.com/content/rachel-reynolds" target="_blank">Eagle Rare Award</a> contest that continues into January. People can <a href="http://www.eaglerarelife.com/content/rachel-reynolds" target="_blank">vote</a> once every 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZgaCnjyNMtChQjqDYx3_X1yZvE5f_tu55vQZlP4ktrH9m5Kdb4k9Ns9JF1dQD6WqYwGAxhdvxFkZwN9dSb-_nX9Ul8k6PBrOSumbN9zLM0L91APyhBbr-ezs5uCehSfamL7EBwqvD28/s1600/Event+Poster+Final+9.14.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZgaCnjyNMtChQjqDYx3_X1yZvE5f_tu55vQZlP4ktrH9m5Kdb4k9Ns9JF1dQD6WqYwGAxhdvxFkZwN9dSb-_nX9Ul8k6PBrOSumbN9zLM0L91APyhBbr-ezs5uCehSfamL7EBwqvD28/s320/Event+Poster+Final+9.14.12.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, the 500lb
gorilla in the room is the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3" target="_blank">Fall Art Auction</a> on Friday, October 19 at the
<a href="http://www.artsglenallen.com/" target="_blank">Cultural Art Center in Glen Allen</a>. There
will be a dessert bar including chocolate fountain (YUM!), wine donated by <a href="http://caboosewine.com/" target="_blank">The Caboose in Ashland</a>, live and silent
auctions with a variety of pieces ranging in value from $20 to $1,800, and (here’s
the really cool part)<a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Meet-the-artists-of-the-CJSTUF-Art-Auction.html?soid=1103830874702&aid=bgPbIBfIpC0" target="_blank"> three interactive artists</a> who will be creating pieces
during the evening. Those pieces will be
auctioned off at the end of the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tickets are
$50 each and can be purchased <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/register?id=3&reset=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The future
holds the kind of promise that can only come from seeing the exit of a very
dark tunnel after being trapped inside for an extremely long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There will
be wonderful Businesses Of The Month in November and December. Please standby for details.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Initial plans
are underway for a benefit bluegrass festival on Saturday, July 20, 2013 and a
1,000-mile bicycle ride in 2014; no official date as of today. (Mr. Roger needs a good road bike)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And yet,
there are still other plans that are too early in the works to mention here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For RIGHT NOW, please buy your tickets to the
Fall Art Auction, vote for Rachel every 24 hours, and start getting your
holiday shopping lists together to fill at our Nov. and Dec. <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm" target="_blank">Businesses Of The Month</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All you can
do for the future events is standby…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-35672559880820367152012-09-26T08:24:00.001-04:002012-09-26T08:26:37.949-04:00Eulogy For Jack Bartosz<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Today's blog post was supposed to be about the last week of amazing fundraising successes, voting contests ending soon, buses parking on chests and all that but then I read this. I became aware of the Bartosz family, and Jack in particular, near the end of August. Actually I believe it was the day before Jack died (that happens more and more these days). Sarah's eulogy for her son is eloquent, touching, and inspired.</span></h5>
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</h5>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"A Mother's Tribute</span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have written about Jack and our family for seven years on this site, recapping the highs and lows of this long and painful journey. I had hoped to never, ever have to write a eulogy to my wonderful son; unfortunately, the time came and as hard as it was, it was something I needed to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you unable to join us for the celebration on Saturday evening, John and I both spoke about Jack. Though it was extraordinarily difficult, we had an extraordinary son who gave us the courage, strength, and love to accomplish the task. John's words were paired with clips from the wonderful videos and movies he has made of the kids throughout the years. I had the daunting task of putting into prose my love for my son and I share the result with all of you below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are truly no words adequate enough, no adjectives extraordinary enough to describe my beautiful boy. I could write volumes about how he changed us and about the bright light that was and will always be Jack. What I am grateful for is that the bright light continues to shine in and on all of us, most especially glowing in the eyes and heart of our amazing Annie who shares Jack's light and will forever keep it glowing in her own good works and loving heart. A prouder mother there can never be.</span></div>
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<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Mother's Tribute</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. But as I look at all of you here today and think of the countless others who wish they could be here, I know that just one child can raise an entire village. A village of hope, a village of inspiration, a village of courage, strength, determination, and, most importantly, a village of love.<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jack lived with a faith that anything and everything were possible. He lived to be ordinary under extraordinary circumstances. He longed to be “plain” – a term he started using when he was just a little boy of four in the first phases of treatment. To him, plain meant no IVs, tubes, wires, or other annoying medical devices and pieces of equipment. Jack longed to be a plain old average kid, but never complained when he went through phases of being anything but plain. But regardless of the state of Jack’s disease over the last seven years, plain and average are words no one has ever or will ever use to describe Jack – a boy with a big smile and an even bigger heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jack prided himself on being happy and he loved telling anyone and everyone that he was happy and that they should be happy too. A story was recently recounted to me that during one of the average morning carpool trips to school just this spring, there was an unusual silence among the four kids in the car until Jack piped up with one simple statement, “I’m happy.” No specific reason was given because Jack never needed any specifics to express his pure happiness for life, going to school, seeing his friends, feeling good, and the other average daily activities and outlooks most of us take for granted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For John, Annie and me, the most momentous example of Jack’s declaration of happiness came in January 2011 after a devastating scan trip to New York where we learned Jack’s cancer had again crept back unexpectedly and was again threatening his body and his life. The four of us arrived back in Wisconsin knowing that high-dose chemo would begin again, Jack would miss school, friends, birthday parties and activities, and our lives would be measured in trips to the hospital and nights of inpatient isolation. As we drove home from the airport, John, Annie and I were all silently crying, the tears flowing in steady streams. None of us could speak. Jack looked over at Annie sitting next to him in the back seat and said, “Annie, why are you crying?” as if perplexed by her behavior. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Annie looked over at him baffled and said, “Jack, your cancer is back. You have to get chemo. You’ll have to be in the hospital. You can’t come to school. You are going to feel sick again. Why aren’t YOU crying?”</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We were all silent waiting for his response.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And then it came and changed us all.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Because I’m happy. You need to be happy. Everyone should just be happy. When you are sad, be happy. And when you are happy, be glad.”</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John and I exchanged incredulous looks, wiped our eyes, and said OK . . . if this child who knows what he is facing can simply be happy in this moment and in this journey, then we need to be happy too. Jack told us what to do in the face of a crisis and told us how to live our lives not looking at what is going wrong, but looking at all that is going right. Now this isn’t to say that we haven’t shed oceans of tears since then, but what I can tell you is that we tried very hard from that day forward not to cry in front of Jack. We did our best to stay positive and be happy. And we have done our best to embrace Jack’s mantra of happiness every day, even in the days since his physical presence left our midst.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Christmas with the entire Bartosz and Detling families gathered around our dining room table, we pulled out the conversation stones Jack and Annie had made for us the year before. After answering questions about our favorite foods, what type of super power we wish we had, and what person from history we would most like to meet, the final question was posed . . . “Describe your ideal day.” As we all thought of what would create the perfect day, answers of pampering at a spa, golf at Augusta National, shopping sprees, a tranquil beach were all offered up until the last person to answer was Jack. And his little voice simply said, “Any day I don’t have to go to the hospital can be the best day.” Scratch the spa, the golf, the shopping and the beach . . . Jack was right, any day and EVERY day can be the best days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But even in the hospital, Jack was out in the halls whenever possible looking to make new friends, join in a video game, organize Nerf gun or silly string battles, or invite his friends up to hang out, make a movie, or eat pizza. I watched Jack make friends with most EVERYONE in EVERY state and hospital we visited. Over the years he taught other kids how to swallow their pills, take their medications, get shots without crying, join in a Bingo game or group activity, and make the most of feeling good, even when stuck in a hospital. Every hospital staff person in every state knew to find Jack if there was a party that needed to get started. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He created an Olympic mountain out of balloons and paper mache, led the Mardi Gras parade while wearing the chicken hat he fashioned out of a bucket, Styrofoam, orange paint and feathers, filmed videos and television interviews, gathered nurses and doctors to play games, laughed with the clowns, rode his scooter, made every craft project available, participated in cooking classes, pet therapy, drama club, yoga, dance therapy, tae kwon do, and EVERY OTHER ACTIVITY that came along . . . all while tethered to an IV pole and wearing his trademark grin.<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jack squeezed more living into his 10 years, 10 months and 23 days than most people do in decades. He lived without hesitation or reservation. When asked on a school survey what his greatest fears were, Jack responded, “I don’t have any fears.” This was true in so many ways. Though he was cautious and safe, he threw himself at life and living with great abandon and without worry about looking foolish or too enthusiastic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just last week while Annie and I were running errands, a song came on in the car and Annie sighed with smile. She told me that the song reminded her of Jack. She went on to tell me that on the <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">ONE</span> day Jack was at school this spring in between chemo and hospital trips to participate in roller skating in gym, he eagerly laced up his skates but had neither the stamina nor muscle tone to actively skate. But in true Jack fashion, he made the best of it and slowly inched his way to the middle of the gym floor. And when a song came on that he knew the lyrics to, he stopped in the middle of the gym floor, raised his arms, sang at the top of his lungs and danced . . . skates and all as the other kids kept skating in a circle around him. He wasn’t embarrassed, he wasn’t shy, he wasn’t intimidated or nervous, he was just plain happy and he wanted to share that happiness and enthusiasm with everyone.<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jack was a believer – he believed in himself, he believed he would beat cancer and grow up to be a surgeon, he believed in the goodness of others, he believed in hope, he believed that laughter truly was the best medicine, and he believed whole-heartedly that all things were possible. The list could go on and on, but his pure, innocent, genuine belief changed those who loved him in so many ways. “People, you gotta believe” was a phrase he uttered more than once. Whether it was during the Packers Super Bowl appearance, watching the Polar Express and talking about Santa, learning about the next treatment or trial we were embarking on, or just waking up with the faith that today could be the best day ever, Jack believed and has made believers out of all of us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going to school was something Jack adored always. He prided himself on being a good student and kept up with his studies regardless of being inpatient or in another state. I am quite certain that Jack taught his beloved teachers as much as they taught him. As a protective, worried mom, there are no words adequate to thank them for helping us to make sure he always felt included and valued. Though he maintained straight A’s, there is no quantitative way to measure the qualitative, heartfelt opportunities his teachers provided to him with their dedication, caring, commitment and love. I know a part of Jack’s heart will forever remain in the halls of Swallow School.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to being a good student, Jack also prided himself on being a good friend – new friend or best friend, celebrated athlete or trusted caregiver, young in age or young at heart, playground pal or hospital comrade, Jack embraced everyone in the most honest and genuine of ways. He didn’t care about what people were on the outside, he cared about who a person was on the inside. Jack gave of his love and friendship unconditionally and was happiest just being himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And Jack, in turn, was blessed with the most wonderful friends who only saw him for the cheese-loving, laugh-making, orange-wearing, life-embracing boy that he was. With hair or without, in the hospital or at home, with IVs or without, none of that ever mattered because Jack’s true friends only saw him as their buddy with the big smile and the grand sense of humor.<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To Jack’s friends, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. We all thank you for embracing him with your friendship, love, and kindness just as he embraced you with his. I hope that Jack’s bravery and joy in the face of insurmountable odds will empower you to keep your chin up, embrace life’s challenges, and keep a smile on your face. Always believe you will succeed. Keep focused on the ultimate goal you are trying to reach. Forever press on and fight the GOOD fight. Know that Jack is cheering for you and know that his grateful family is always cheering for you too. You all hold a special place in our hearts as I hope Jack will forever hold a special place in your heart. Feel his love and happiness today and always.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope everyone here and everyone he touched will always feel Jack’s love and happiness. And I thoughtfully ask that you help us share Jack’s love with Tommy, the little brother Jack named and couldn’t wait to teach about all the important things in life, so that Tommy, too, can know what an amazing brother he has. During Jack’s last trip to Northern Wisconsin in July to stay at Gramma and PopPop’s, Jack was able to visit the local bait shop with a $25 gift certificate he won from a kids fishing contest the year before. Even with pain causing him to limp, he enthusiastically set out to load his tackle box with the coolest of bait. With a basket full of colorful new jigs and lures, Jack had money left to spend when he spotted a stuffed turtle. Jack was concerned that the stuffed animal would put him 25 cents over his limit and asked PopPop if that was OK. PopPop happily said he’d spot him the quarter but asked him if he really wanted to spend money on another stuffie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jack quickly exclaimed, “Oh PopPop, this isn’t for me, it’s for Tommy. I’m going to sleep with the turtle and then Annie can sleep with the turtle and then we’ll give it Tommy so he can feel the love.” Needless to say, the turtle was purchased and awaits Tommy’s arrival and will remain a symbol of Jack’s love for all of us for the rest of our lives. And to Jack, our most thoughtful big brother, I believe with all my heart that Tommy will know, will feel, and will cherish your love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just three days before he left us, Jack provided us with some of his final words of wisdom that will resonate in my head and my heart forever, “People know me for my happiness. I don’t want people to think of me for sadness.” You are right Jack, we will never think of you for sadness. The tears we cry today are tears of joy for the happiness that you shared, the love that you gave, and the belief that you inspired. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We always maintained hope that Jack would survive, but we came to understand that the quality and meaning of human life are not measured in years – they are measured in moments. Moments of happiness in every day in the simplest of ways. Moments of honesty and words of wisdom: be happy, feel the love, and just believe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you all for being a part of Jack’s great village. Your support of Jack and our family have encouraged us and saved us. Tomorrow, September 23, marks the day seven years ago that our lives changed forever when we heard the words, “Jack has cancer.” It has taken this great village to support Jack as well as John, Annie and I and our families through this darkness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who know my love of quotes, I leave you with this one. And though the author is unknown, I know the inspiration for such thoughtful words was someone like my Jack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“There are some who bring a light so great into this world that even after they have gone the light remains.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When a star dies in the heavens, its light continues to shine for millions of years. I trust that Jack’s great light will shine on us all forever, bring us out of the darkness, give us many reasons to be happy, help us to feel the love, allow us to forever believe, and remind us that we must always back Jack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love you, Jack. Now and forever."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I dream of a time when no parent will need to be so inspired.</span></h5>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">The "I Back Jack Foundation" has a Facebook Site </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-BACK-JACK-FOUNDATION/97950776597">https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-BACK-JACK-FOUNDATION/97950776597</a></h5>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">and their Caringbridge site is </span><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackbartosz">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackbartosz</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></h5>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-69278313613015565982012-09-17T11:00:00.000-04:002012-09-17T14:22:25.073-04:00The Week Of Chaos!As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month continues, we are having another typical week in the life of <a href="http://cjstuf.org/">CJSTUF.org</a>! Lot's of stuff going on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2UcpEQvEJo3gnOp-McRMTCeCKVMtP3PFEQFsyBK4su0F9Ji_0-_3YrtG0dBCDsTTlSlAF8zyCnCgSiHjm39a0h_QBfvEHb-81I_al0ApsUjBj_epaYa81ThXIhyphenhyphenVqT9An5EXNYaOEWw/s1600/giveThroughGroupon-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2UcpEQvEJo3gnOp-McRMTCeCKVMtP3PFEQFsyBK4su0F9Ji_0-_3YrtG0dBCDsTTlSlAF8zyCnCgSiHjm39a0h_QBfvEHb-81I_al0ApsUjBj_epaYa81ThXIhyphenhyphenVqT9An5EXNYaOEWw/s200/giveThroughGroupon-03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwrTsHVeq9DlwRZ_AkHT15Tc3Sqp1qQ0o6TZM5sDmx-sCf2SYk8G6gRRKJd-OIl6_4rLdYMsrR8tS8tcSTE-ACRijQMsb815cgWEIsER_P45A4OSUZ_J4XowbZqpZCUjOlvk-x-FxGQY/s1600/lunchbunch_v2-FIN_OL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwrTsHVeq9DlwRZ_AkHT15Tc3Sqp1qQ0o6TZM5sDmx-sCf2SYk8G6gRRKJd-OIl6_4rLdYMsrR8tS8tcSTE-ACRijQMsb815cgWEIsER_P45A4OSUZ_J4XowbZqpZCUjOlvk-x-FxGQY/s200/lunchbunch_v2-FIN_OL.jpg" width="190" /></a>1) <a href="http://www.groupon.com/deals/grs-cjs-thumbs-up-foundation" target="_blank">Groupon Grassroots</a>: Recently, we were awarded a <a href="http://www.groupon.com/deals/grs-cjs-thumbs-up-foundation" target="_blank">Groupon Grassroots Campaign</a> during which $10 donations are taken to help fund one Lunch Bunch meal for the families being treated up on the 7th floor of <a href="http://www.childrenshosp-richmond.org/CMS/index.php" target="_blank">Children's Hospital of Richmond</a> (This is our meal program for which we have teamed up with <a href="http://www.connorsheroes.org/" target="_blank">Connor's Heroes Foundation</a>). The campaign is live through Sept. 23rd and is taking $10 donations right now. The "tipping point" is $300. It's difficult to imagine that we wouldn't reach that amount but if somehow we don't, then the funds raised up to that point are not distributed and no one's credit card will be charged. If nothing else, we get exposure and experience.</div>
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If the tipping point is reached, which it will, then the Lunch Bunch is guaranteed one more event. We hope we end up with several.</div>
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2) The Amazing Raise: This is an exciting, 36-hour fundraising event being hosted by The Community Foundation/GiveRichmond.org. It begins Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6:00AM (we'll post the link as soon as we possibly can after it goes live at 6:00:01AM) and ends the next day at 6:00PM. There are MANY creative ways to win matching funds and <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/" target="_blank">CJSTUF</a> will be aiming for three specifically.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc2J3EWACou1-9L-f9QZ80bRzkvpvi6vnujqH0CvDKyRYzrLglyXJzzMBhBDtcMi40zBEoqerPqiGhttuOsqq6W_Ykv-5uoWnW6B5lnw-ff4k1D9eH8uMKeU8sgV1J9hCsVpyyE5hZn8/s1600/2012+WebButton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc2J3EWACou1-9L-f9QZ80bRzkvpvi6vnujqH0CvDKyRYzrLglyXJzzMBhBDtcMi40zBEoqerPqiGhttuOsqq6W_Ykv-5uoWnW6B5lnw-ff4k1D9eH8uMKeU8sgV1J9hCsVpyyE5hZn8/s200/2012+WebButton.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The first is the 50/50 Early Bird Match. The first 15 organizations (and there are dozens) that receive 50 unique donations of $50 will receive $2,500 matching grants from the Community Foundation (That's FIVE families helped). So please plan to wake up early and help us capitalize on this opportunity.</div>
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The second is called "Midnight Madness." Simply put, the donation (of at least $25) that comes in closest to midnight on Wed night will receive an extra $1,000 (2 families). We will be having a wildly fun karaoke party at <a href="http://www.comedysportzrichmond.com/" target="_blank">ComedySportz</a> in Richmond starting at 10:00PM and when midnight approaches, we will countdown to zero and get everyone to push the "send" buttons as close to 12:00 as possible. YOU are invited. Come stay up late on a school night. You know you've always wanted to!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5DO2L5ZGpvQYxUT17LfXqvW9vnbEwfJNkeew1rOveQqow9z-nNUBI6UUvHNtuhiiYvdh8y0_wASbk4QcxSQVmU9P4TW5QqX5D7jZogqTx1ANKgrDgHjngjKgWeBTSuyLiC3XiBzt0-M/s1600/Pepi+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5DO2L5ZGpvQYxUT17LfXqvW9vnbEwfJNkeew1rOveQqow9z-nNUBI6UUvHNtuhiiYvdh8y0_wASbk4QcxSQVmU9P4TW5QqX5D7jZogqTx1ANKgrDgHjngjKgWeBTSuyLiC3XiBzt0-M/s200/Pepi+Summer.jpg" width="200" /></a>The third focal area is the "Lunch Break" on Thursday 12:00PM-2:00PM. The organization that receives the most unique donations of $25 or more within that time frame will win $1,000 (2 more families helped). We will be lunching at <a href="http://www.pepicellis.com/" target="_blank">Pepicelli's Pizza</a> in Ashland during that time and any donations that come in throughout the Lunch Break will be applied to the Lunch Bunch. (Pepi's, by the way, just happens to be <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/" target="_blank">CJSTUF'</a>s <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm" target="_blank">Business Of The Month</a> for September; another great reason to come in!)</div>
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There is a fourth area that we think we could win and that's the Long Distance Donor Award. The donation that comes in from the farthest point on the planet (determined by billing address of the card used) will earn the non-profit $1,000 (2 MORE families) The Network is pretty widespread and if the right people donate (all you in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Africa, China, Korea, etc... know who you are!), we could win that one as well.</div>
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Last year was our first experience with the Amazing Raise and with very little effort, you helped us raise just over $1,000 (2 families). This year, if we win only one of the contests at which we're aiming, we'll more than double that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm55aahobfxM3e2KIC6SmpUFlakl8Qf0_Yza_SuAortt23GyxynfyzqGAOSlJ0gM6v7Ws8wsdM0DaMDQ8Jk5JqEy5CttGdv8jqVURYod12zRucey3kcVmJ1Tpz6DuhjOXPv206noKY4xY/s1600/Eagle+Rare+Medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm55aahobfxM3e2KIC6SmpUFlakl8Qf0_Yza_SuAortt23GyxynfyzqGAOSlJ0gM6v7Ws8wsdM0DaMDQ8Jk5JqEy5CttGdv8jqVURYod12zRucey3kcVmJ1Tpz6DuhjOXPv206noKY4xY/s200/Eagle+Rare+Medal.jpg" width="200" /></a>3 and 4) Rachel still continues to hold her own in the two voting-based contests. <a href="http://eaglerarelife.com/content/rachel-reynolds" target="_blank">The Eagle Rare Life</a> contest has her at 4732 at this writing and we have no way of knowing how well she's doing in the <a href="http://ladygodivaprogram.com/semi-finalists/entry/5690" target="_blank">Lady Godiva Program</a>. Just keep voting every 24 hours and we'll let you know something when we do.</div>
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5) The "Every Day Is A Bonus" <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3" target="_blank">Fall Art Auction</a> is coming up on Friday October 19th. We've already started receiving reservations and artist donations, some of which are pretty amazing. There will be live and silent auctions featuring paintings, photographs, children's art, stained glass art, arts services and an interactive experience where live artists will be creating pieces right there in front of everyone. And don't forget the chocolate dessert bar! If you'd like to reserve your place, click <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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6) Did we mention that <a href="http://www.pepicellis.com/" target="_blank">Pepicelli's Pizza</a> is the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm" target="_blank">Business Of The Month</a> for September? We won't have a BOTM for October due to the Art Auction. We'll let you know about Nov. and Dec. as we get closer. This post is long enough already!</div>
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We'll rest in January.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-24046201745361283902012-09-02T13:00:00.000-04:002012-09-02T13:00:03.503-04:00Every Vote Counts!<br />
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As you may have heard by now, Rachel has been named a candidate in two voting contests. Each one could help CJSTUF earn funds that we can use towards our mission. </div>
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You don't have to register your email address or log in. Just click to vote every 24 hours.</div>
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<a href="http://www.whiskyintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/aa112.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" border="0" height="75" src="http://www.whiskyintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/aa112.bmp" width="75" /></a><b>Contest #1: </b><a href="http://www.eaglerarelife.com/content/rachel-reynolds" target="_blank">Eagle Rare Award</a>. Rachel was a runner up for this award last year and CJSTUF received $2000 that we are using for the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/mealfairies">Lunch Bunch</a> program. We could earn up to $30,000 for CJSTUF this year if we win the big prize! Rachel is currently in 5th place. Voting ends January 2013. </div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.388.388/p403x403/284600_10151185239979462_1459319480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Lady Godiva logo" border="0" height="75" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.388.388/p403x403/284600_10151185239979462_1459319480_n.jpg" width="80" /></a> <b>Contest #2: </b>Rachel was one of nine women selected from over 1000 entries for the fall round of voting in the <a href="http://www.ladygodivaprogram.com/" target="_blank">Lady Godiva Program</a>. If she wins this round, CJSTUF gets $1000 and a chance to earn up to $10K in the final round. Voting ends September 26. </div>
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We know that we have a wonderful Network. That is how CJSTUF came to be in the first place. In the last three years, our network has continued to grow and we appreciate all of the support. Voting in these contests helps us achieve our mission and it only takes a few seconds of your time. If you can spare a few more seconds, please share this blog in an email or on social media with your friends. Every vote counts!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-33517544109396127362012-08-29T08:54:00.000-04:002012-08-29T09:12:45.165-04:00Board Member Spotlight: Tom Checkosky. Co-Owner of Pepicelli’s Pizza Ashland<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Board member since: January 2012</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Lisa Checkosky</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I don’t believe in
coincidences.” <a href="https://www.facebook.com/checkosky">Tom Checkosky</a> will be the first person to tell you that he’s here
(meaning Ashland) “by the grace of whatever it is you want to call God.” Checkosky
used to be operational partner for 7 Domino’s Pizza restaurants in Western
Pennsylvania. He started out as driver, became manager, worked his way up the
ladder, and then left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Before the recession
hit, he was a regional manager of Best Buy for three days until the economy made
them cancel plans for 10 new stores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then, after almost two
years out of the food sector, he went into a local Pizza Pan restaurant to pick
up an order and then proceeded to reconfigure the entire kitchen for the owners
who seemed to be having “organizational issues.” This lit the fire
within Tom to get back into the pizza business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepi seriously enjoys summer!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">After an exhaustive
search, Tom stumbled onto a pizza place for sale in <a href="http://www.town.ashland.va.us/">Ashland, Virginia</a>. The
landlord gave him a great deal on rent and even paid to move his store when
Smokey Pig Catering left the space next to Ashland Ace Hardware. Other local
residents wowed Tom with kindness, dinner, and good advice. "I'm from up
north. I'm not used to people being nice to me without there being some
kind of ulterior motive. I was sold."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">And so <a href="http://www.pepicellis.com/">Pepicelli’s Pizza of Ashland</a> was established. This was in 2007 and they are about to celebrate their 5th year in business.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv32eS7wn4juGX0rGlmQRbLKLlcYcII7ZkJThuWhe7UUf2n1Tc8cMTY4ivZcPQVfpIbb9kXHXamZotKaWhXCB6TyYkQEBB50hJYGjG7L7z6qnkSr6I-E7PWM5i-lqcw7KP0CCXYwMgSDo/s1600/Tom+and+the+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv32eS7wn4juGX0rGlmQRbLKLlcYcII7ZkJThuWhe7UUf2n1Tc8cMTY4ivZcPQVfpIbb9kXHXamZotKaWhXCB6TyYkQEBB50hJYGjG7L7z6qnkSr6I-E7PWM5i-lqcw7KP0CCXYwMgSDo/s200/Tom+and+the+kids.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom with Jimmy and Ani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tom brought down his
wife, Lisa, and two kids, Jimmy and Ani and they've been here ever
since (EVERYONE helps at the store when necessary).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Something always seems to happen every couple of years or so to make us move or whatever. We've been in Ashland five years and it hasn't happened yet. I'm convinced that we're supposed to be here."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Checkoskys (and Pepicelli's Pizza) are active
throughout the Ashland community via <a href="http://www.shopashlandfirst.com/">MAP</a>, the <a href="http://ashlandstreetparties.com/">Ashland Street Parties</a>, and
several other activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
a strange series of “non-coincidences,” the Checkoskys became aware of <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/">CJ’sThumbs Up Foundation</a> and were touched by the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/aboutcj">Reynolds’ story</a>. Tom was
so moved that he decided to do everything he could to help make CJSTUF
successful and even quit smoking as a result of his involvement with the
Foundation.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATjQ6Y5kvwllLhupiSIdx12GgNkbAj_SukfUE97wxXA9J3tgGha8Lr2Q2pnvRvNfTIIi2Shd6YD52W6vmnzsZ7Vm9kcylBz3NER4bYA-zMjVTOIy5uzA4cByiQaEswcNGFiELHb48VKk/s1600/Lunchbunch+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATjQ6Y5kvwllLhupiSIdx12GgNkbAj_SukfUE97wxXA9J3tgGha8Lr2Q2pnvRvNfTIIi2Shd6YD52W6vmnzsZ7Vm9kcylBz3NER4bYA-zMjVTOIy5uzA4cByiQaEswcNGFiELHb48VKk/s200/Lunchbunch+Logo.jpg" width="190" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pepicelli’s
Pizza donates meals to The Lunch Bunch (A joint effort between CJSTUF </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">and
<a href="http://www.connorsheroes.org/">Conner's Heroes Foundation</a> to feed the families on the 7</span><sup style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> floor
of <a href="http://www.childrenshosp-richmond.org/CMS/index.php">Children’s Hospital of Richmond</a>) and was the <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm">Business Of The Month</a> in May of 2011. They will be the BOTM again in September,
donating a portion of the month’s sales to CJSTUF. On Monday, September 24th, CJSTUF co-founder Roger Reynolds will be delivering pizzas to Pepicelli's customers who add a small donation to their order.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tom has dived into his CJSTUF participation with both feet and has become one of our most enthusiastic supporters.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which
is why we wanted to know the answers to:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4 and
1/2 Questions!!!</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1) How often do you
eat pizza made by another pizza place?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Answer: “Only on vacation and
only mom and pop places. Leonardo’s Pizza in the Outer Banks is a particular
favorite as well as Causeway Pizza in Garden City Beach, NC.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2) Can you describe an
atom? (I stole this from a website on interview questions)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Answer: “He’s the husband of
Eve.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(smart aleck)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3) How much taller
than you is your wife, Lisa?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Answer: “5 inches.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4) What animal, that
you don't currently have, do you want most of all right now?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Answer: “I want either a big
bird like an African Grey or a Cockatoo or a big dog (even though I already
have two of each).”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/2) Don't you
just love it when...</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”employees don’t show
up for work?”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Answer: “Yes I do!!!” (There
may have been a touch of sarcasm in his voice)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Visit www.pepicellis.com for information about Pepicelli's Pizza of Asland.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-11635516691359515472012-08-06T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-06T07:00:05.157-04:00Board Member Spotlight<br />
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<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 31px;">Melissa Owens</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtzlb87BVWs_vi7diMBVL6p5sRN-i3LCILcoPGL9ecWkhhmjL8C6s5_ROd_IFsq_A48ALd_TiwJlu_U5TWGsowltDW57fmEnWxgiZVSUueIZhjhPK1cOO4eyGZ7wz_C5pgFC1iDw3AdA/s1600/Melissa+Owens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtzlb87BVWs_vi7diMBVL6p5sRN-i3LCILcoPGL9ecWkhhmjL8C6s5_ROd_IFsq_A48ALd_TiwJlu_U5TWGsowltDW57fmEnWxgiZVSUueIZhjhPK1cOO4eyGZ7wz_C5pgFC1iDw3AdA/s320/Melissa+Owens.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Board Member since: Winter 2011</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa has been involved with CJSTUF since the very
beginning. As a friend of the Reynolds’
and a Music Therapist at VCU Health System, she had the opportunity to visit
Charlotte’s room often, bringing music, positive energy, and faithful minions, a.k.a. “interns,” to help make an unbearable situation a little more bearable.<br />
<br />
Melissa grew up with music all
around her. With a mother who majored in
music in college, the norm in her family was attending concerts and musicals,
gathering around the piano at home, and singing “99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall”
450,943 times on road trips (ok, that stat is made up).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She began college life as a Communications Disorders major
and switched to Music Therapy when she found that she could merge her two loves
into one career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa became the first official fundraiser to help with
Charlotte’s care when she and one of her "faithful minions," Miriam Smith,
designed and ordered the first pink “Prayers For Charlotte” bracelets. The bracelets were sold for $3 and the money
was given to the Reynolds.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">When a group of CJSTUF Board members began to rotate off due to the end of their terms,
Melissa was on the top of the prospectives list and it wasn’t necessary to ask
her twice to join.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">She officially assumed
her position in winter of 2011.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">But little did
she know that she would eventually have to answer:</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">4 and
1/2 Questions!!!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<strong><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">What was the last earworm (song) to get stuck in your head?</span></u></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ainIBDO6a8E&noredirect=1">Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<strong><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">What is your favorite animated character (Disney or otherwise?)</span></u></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Jiminy
Cricket<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<strong><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">On a scale of 1-10, what is your level of expertise at reading
upside down?</span></u></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">10! My
secret skill is reading song lyrics upside down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
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<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcYHtRqq8iL_Q2lr5izyRb68_8wJ3qDf0bWR2n0tRrg1WNMinft2K_06xUWGCEIVNFdQvycfSZ_Hl2X4FaBNK_XEWv94-JE4yU_MJncLMjbU9zbfqqPuw4Pbhs-O1VuuGDa63swr8tuY/s1600/Xena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcYHtRqq8iL_Q2lr5izyRb68_8wJ3qDf0bWR2n0tRrg1WNMinft2K_06xUWGCEIVNFdQvycfSZ_Hl2X4FaBNK_XEWv94-JE4yU_MJncLMjbU9zbfqqPuw4Pbhs-O1VuuGDa63swr8tuY/s320/Xena.jpg" width="214" /></a><strong><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Who is your inner superhero??</span></u></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Xena<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">What would you do if…</span></u></strong><strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“I had an extra day every week?”</span></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">I
would have a technology-free day with my family, and share some time
with my favorite local charitable organization, CJSTUF! : ) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Well played Warrior Princess...Well played.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-65099597713277008812012-07-16T08:30:00.000-04:002012-07-16T08:30:00.891-04:00Amazing Stories<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/555922_4346660547282_1791032402_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/555922_4346660547282_1791032402_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our Chick-fil-A Birthday Dinner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you know, we <a href="http://blog.cjstuf.org/2012/07/this-is-why-were-here.html">marked Charlotte's 7th birthday</a> on Monday. The day included laughter, tears, hugs, an honorary mention on WCVE, dinner at Chick-Fil-A, a chocolate milk toast, and a showing of <i>Finding Nemo</i>. Roger and I were touched by the sweet messages we received as well as the generous donations made to the foundation in her honor that day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Friday morning, I turned to Roger and said, "Wow! It sure has been a long week. Monday seems like a long time ago." He agreed. Between the emotional exhaustion at the beginning of the week, the <a href="http://richmondmom.com/2012/06/07/wine-down-to-benefit-cjs-thumbs-up-foundation-7111/">Wine Down event on Wednesday</a> in which we raised $1000 for CJSTUF (hurrah!), and the normal business of our jobs, it had proven to be a very long week, indeed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then came Friday. I ventured off to my job at the Dominion School and Roger had the opportunity to participate in the <a href="http://moriahmcneilgolfclassic.org/index.html">Moriah McNeil Celebrity Golf Classic </a>to benefit <a href="http://www.reesestrong.org/">ReeseStrong</a>. One of the generous patrons of the organization had bought an extra foursome and donated it for use by dads of pediatric cancer patients. Roger joined Reese's dad and a few other guys for a beautiful day on the links. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c78.0.403.403/p403x403/293889_10151034375804288_2137794664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c78.0.403.403/p403x403/293889_10151034375804288_2137794664_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Roger, Walter Klauer, & Emanuel McNeil</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Moriah's dad, Emanuel McNeil, is a former NFL football player. He lost his daughter Moriah to cancer in 2004 and organizes this charity golf tournament every year in her honor. The proceeds benefit a different children's charity annually. With these connections, it made sense that quite a few NFL players would be hitting the links. It wasn't until Roger reached the tournament, however, that he realized some of these guys were the same football players <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1043361155">who came and sang </a></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1043361155">Frosty the Snowman</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://blog.cjstuf.org/2009/07/happy-birthday-to-charlotte.html"> to Charlotte</a> on a hot summer day when we were holed up in the ASK clinic for a treatment in 2009. The visit had been a huge hit with Charlotte and had even been featured on the CBS news (briefly). As Roger talked about this with the football players, many of them mentioned remembering Charlotte. Then one guy pulled out his phone and showed us this video. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JUquLUOtVYE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>He has had this video on his phone since 2009. Roger was floored!</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the meantime, among my many meetings of the day, I was scheduled to interview a potential instructional assistant for the Dominion School. The young lady arrived at the scheduled time and we began to talk about her work history and why she was seeking employment with us. I asked her to say a little bit about why she liked her job and she told me this story. She works at Build-a-Bear. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>"I really love being able to see the happy faces on the children. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a family that came into our store. The little girl was about 3 or 4 years old and she was sick. She came into the store after hours with her best friend and together they made creations for her, her parents, and her best friend. We were so touched by this little girl and found out a few weeks later that she had passed away. I still think about her a lot and how we were able to make her happy."</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB20tfQPDE8R4rGk87pK31XjvLhradZC0pmjRvt1UA0OUSzdEjN-Zg0YJmuWlFhoH1k9s9KKrQdiv9ntitiwqpkDCWWQgLuX6ncctMvWH9NqWxuVaPryHc6oOWdclB-EGxYebXFvS4Gg/s1600/2009+november+23+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB20tfQPDE8R4rGk87pK31XjvLhradZC0pmjRvt1UA0OUSzdEjN-Zg0YJmuWlFhoH1k9s9KKrQdiv9ntitiwqpkDCWWQgLuX6ncctMvWH9NqWxuVaPryHc6oOWdclB-EGxYebXFvS4Gg/s320/2009+november+23+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our creations from Build-a-Bear, <br />including Frosty the Bad-Ass</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I sat there listening to her story, I realized where this was going. I was near tears as I listened to her accounting of our <a href="http://blog.cjstuf.org/2009/11/build-bear.html">very own Build-a-Bear visit</a>. I was thinking, "<i>Should I say something? Is that appropriate?" </i>Finally, I realized I needed to tell her. I said, "I hope this doesn't upset you, but I need to let you know, that's my daughter you're talking about." I pointed towards the picture of Charlotte on my desk and the girl's jaw dropped to the floor. She said, "Oh my goodness! That's her! We have her picture in our office at the store and I still think about her and talk about her all the time!" We both started crying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eventually, we composed ourselves and carried on with the rest of the interview. On my way home from work, I got a message from Roger that he had something interesting to tell me. I told him that I had a great story for him as well. We met up and recounted these stories to each other in disbelief and amazement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't always believe in "signs" or messages, but perhaps these simple, touching stories delivered to both Roger and myself <i>on the same day</i> are a way of showing us that Charlotte continues to touch people's lives as much in death as she did in life. Of course, I think of our girl every single day. But it warms my heart in unimaginable ways to realize that she had such a profound impact on people who are virtual strangers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That, my friends, is the best birthday present anyone could ask for. Don't you agree?</span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-90967550150692380272012-07-09T06:12:00.000-04:002012-07-09T06:12:40.798-04:00This Is Why We're Here<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCtS233SdWGaWziUn7jZJQGb6QK8YbBDC5wJRkzIy0f8xzEoDj2leLzuJrTVfmyLSDS3VvlSm5qmiKxmqO876OwcE4vs266ILAPJj-ClhAF_YrdHtzv579MlC06t0GcTwGsXTJk-EX4U/s1600/10+CJSTUF+Grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCtS233SdWGaWziUn7jZJQGb6QK8YbBDC5wJRkzIy0f8xzEoDj2leLzuJrTVfmyLSDS3VvlSm5qmiKxmqO876OwcE4vs266ILAPJj-ClhAF_YrdHtzv579MlC06t0GcTwGsXTJk-EX4U/s320/10+CJSTUF+Grants.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">We here at <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/">CJ's ThumbsUp Foundation</a> often post photos of financial assistance grants going out in the
mail with the caption, "This is why we're here" or publish updates
about this event or that, trying to keep everyone energized about the mission
of CJSTUF.org.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But that's only part of
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A large chunk of why
this non-profit exists is because of a little girl named Charlotte Jennie who
was born on July 9, 2005, seven years ago today. SHE’S why this thing exists at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So many of you already
know about Charlotte (CJ) that it seems ridiculously redundant to retell the
story but what we will say is that because of this amazing, adorable,
courageous, intelligent, curly-haired girl, and the way she charmed everyone
she met (still seems to), we are moved to try and keep that energy moving
forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QZv0Ya6aRhD-txDHRunIRkP83TQ5dpoOnB_TCYPGwMahrP4-RyF8t2FFN-W54kmDlwe11rFpud0WGL9sI3z3P0XctM2oZf7sNdu5Z3BatEQ_0B-DhsYXEFkH2G2jOkKWTXCNq3WYVa8/s1600/Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QZv0Ya6aRhD-txDHRunIRkP83TQ5dpoOnB_TCYPGwMahrP4-RyF8t2FFN-W54kmDlwe11rFpud0WGL9sI3z3P0XctM2oZf7sNdu5Z3BatEQ_0B-DhsYXEFkH2G2jOkKWTXCNq3WYVa8/s320/Charlotte.jpg" width="193" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is very difficult to think that our little Monkey Butt would have just finished
her second year of school, that she would now be swimming or going to camp, that
we would be taking trips to see grandparents…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But
that’s not the reality with which we’ve been entrusted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
reality is that at any one time there might be upwards of 70 families of
children receiving treatment on the 7<sup>th</sup> floor of VCU/Children’s
Hospital of Richmond and so many others moving through the various outpatient clinics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
reality is that we just sent out 10 more Financial Assistance Grants totaling $5,000
and that just barely brought us even with demand FOR NOW.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The reality is that there are many, many other
parents, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers all struggling to keep it
together right now, at this very moment, through the worst nightmare
imaginable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The reality is that, because of Charlotte’s
inspiration, upon which we draw every day, you have been moved to support our
mission which, in turn, gives us a very strong coping mechanism allowing us to
face each day as it comes. Please
believe it when we say that some days the act of getting out of bed seems like
more than we can bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today is one of those days. But we WILL get out of bed because of
Charlotte and what this Foundation has become to those who have built it and to those who have benefitted from it (some of the same people fit into both
categories).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So Rachel will go to her first day of school at <a href="http://www.dominionautism.org/">The Dominion School For Autism</a> as principal and Roger will meet donors and do <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDriveThruWithRog">his show</a> at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/WHAN-Radio/131513949411">WHAN Radio</a>. Many will raise a
chocolate milk toast and watch Mary Poppins or Finding Nemo or Lady and the
Tramp or one of her other favorite movies (she had several). A listen to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqUdI4AIDF0">Curious George Soundtrack</a> is
in order as well. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/video/dante/try-to-touch-the-sky/10458162">Or giving "five" to Snook from "Big, Big World."</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hopefully all will be inspired to be more than they
are right now and keep growing from there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is why we’re
here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO21bCZfUhlC2BduSnPdzLgkej7J88dmgToegZpC0pzjroTwhcxj-X8xT1blE0ah3hQnWpE0sgWA4_PT0EqNg_805dA0vMaaZB-Tzw0SgatCU7hmnbQWrGJX8soVzTpuNeK6HaqmyGM4/s1600/Charlotte+Balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO21bCZfUhlC2BduSnPdzLgkej7J88dmgToegZpC0pzjroTwhcxj-X8xT1blE0ah3hQnWpE0sgWA4_PT0EqNg_805dA0vMaaZB-Tzw0SgatCU7hmnbQWrGJX8soVzTpuNeK6HaqmyGM4/s320/Charlotte+Balloons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-64497910244669458042012-07-03T23:37:00.000-04:002012-07-04T06:24:35.191-04:00From Laughter to WINE-ing and Back to Tears<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">First the laughter…</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h6yTJfoz7DwUVdVW_7qAWME6uMank-0YVHafztmAnFPj37qK53uISgCdMbEbvEBBGXRxcHFbFCwYZc-yYIAvqzlvwBEDMEd1B5flcFhXc1M5ibhbsyTDrDxT1SPRK2ntUfUTnnaFA9I/s1600/ComedySportz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h6yTJfoz7DwUVdVW_7qAWME6uMank-0YVHafztmAnFPj37qK53uISgCdMbEbvEBBGXRxcHFbFCwYZc-yYIAvqzlvwBEDMEd1B5flcFhXc1M5ibhbsyTDrDxT1SPRK2ntUfUTnnaFA9I/s400/ComedySportz.jpg" width="400" /></a>We definitely know that laughter is very therapeutic. And slightly lucrative for non-profits. Rachel and I have become involved with <a href="http://www.comedysportzrichmond.com/">ComedySportz Improv Theatre of Richmond</a> and throughout the month of June, they let CJSTUF
take over during halftime of every show in order to play “Stick The Butterfly
To The Flower.” People bought little
paper butterflies with sticky dots on them for a few bucks and for some crazy reason,
allowed us to blindfold them. Then they tried
to stick the butterflies to a big flower on the wall. The butterfly that ended up closest to one of
the numbers on the flower won a prize.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Just that little game garnered over $300 for CJSTUF.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On top of that, during the last weekend of June, $2 of every
ticket for the Friday night and Saturday early shows were donated to
CJSTUF. We don’t have a final tally yet but
we’re confident that overall, we raised enough to help one family. Thanks ComedySpotrz!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now for the WINE-ing…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57OZhrbX9IOEQk79NEUFvMEVatsAk6EXmVGo75XNozjuaUO8VkxxKEJy8ULem-bn-DaTqUy9zsiU8LqsYQtAuLval3miUN0xaap9KXJPKba5dhco5UJmH6dkEA3evfFtDBfPHoYIdEsc/s1600/Wine+Loft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57OZhrbX9IOEQk79NEUFvMEVatsAk6EXmVGo75XNozjuaUO8VkxxKEJy8ULem-bn-DaTqUy9zsiU8LqsYQtAuLval3miUN0xaap9KXJPKba5dhco5UJmH6dkEA3evfFtDBfPHoYIdEsc/s200/Wine+Loft.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
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This month, our <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm">Business Of The Month</a> is really only it for
one day but it’s a doosie! Kate Hall over at <a href="http://richmondmom.com/">RichmondMom.com</a> has developed a tremendous relationship with the <a href="http://www.wineloftrichmond.com/">Wine Loft</a> in Short Pump and
the first Wednesday of every month is what’s called the Wine Down where a local
non-profit benefits from ticket sales, raffles, and other donations. They’ve raised as much as $900 during these events
and the last time CJSTUF was the beneficiary of a Wine Down, it was the largest
event they had had up to that point. We’re
hoping to set another record on the 11<sup>th</sup>. It is certainly possible because this year, <b>an anonymous donor has offered to match donations if over $500 is raised at the event. </b>How's that for incentive?<br />
<br />
Yeah, it’s not the first Wednesday but the
whole July 4<sup>th</sup> thing got in the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Tickets are $10 and include a raffle ticket (more available
for $1 each), appetizers, and discounted wine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Wine Loft of Richmond is located at 4035 Whittall Way,
Glen Allen, VA 23060 right next to Spirited Art (which just happens to have
been our BOTM for May). Festivities will
get underway at 6:30 and you are strongly encouraged to arrive early.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Time for the BONUS ROUND!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0x8Umc0_4gbD6ujgjQibMXIuGQVN8vYetuCxV8GgpeBYop60c1rzjxo-CWkS1Cs1TEZpcmRRTT70htKlphKIC-ZszCuAITTg6kUHzAkX7kwdjSgNl9cpb2X5Dtd1KI4Px05LP5oYo3E/s1600/lunchbunch_v2-FIN_OL+%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0x8Umc0_4gbD6ujgjQibMXIuGQVN8vYetuCxV8GgpeBYop60c1rzjxo-CWkS1Cs1TEZpcmRRTT70htKlphKIC-ZszCuAITTg6kUHzAkX7kwdjSgNl9cpb2X5Dtd1KI4Px05LP5oYo3E/s200/lunchbunch_v2-FIN_OL+%281%29.jpg" width="190" /></a>Rachel has surpassed the 1200 vote mark in her quest to
repeat as an <a href="http://eaglerarelife.cornettims.com/content/rachel-reynolds">Eagle Rare Life</a> grant winner.
This year the grand prize has been increased to $30,000 to be donated to
the charity of the winner’s choice and we feel confident that we can win it this
year. Last year’s secondary prize is
helping to fund the new Lunch Bunch at <a href="http://www.childrenshosp-richmond.org/CMS/index.php">MCV/Children’s Hospital Of Richmond</a> for which
CJSTUF has partnered with <a href="http://www.connorsheroes.org/">Connor’s Heroes Foundation</a> and local restaurants to provide meals
for the families of children receiving treatment on the 7<sup>th</sup> floor of
VCU’s Children’s Hospital of Richmond.
$30,000 would take care of a lot of meals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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People can vote once every 24 hours here. Please set your alarms and spread the word.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So we come back to the tears. It always seems to happen about every 6 months
and July is very tough for us. This 4<sup>th</sup>
of July weekend, we are traveling to Tennessee to visit my dad and have
something of a small family reunion.
Rachel also has two book signings this weekend in Morristown at <a href="http://www.javagardencafe.com/">JavaGarden</a> on Saturday and my dad’s church on Sunday (gotta take the opportunities
when they happen). Then we head back to
Richmond to face the 9<sup>th</sup> and think about our beautiful baby girl on
her 7<sup>th</sup> Birthday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With every success that comes to CJSTUF, we are given a
little solace. The latest drop comes
from knowing that because of Rachel’s initial book sales, we’ve been able to
fund one family’s financial assistance grant.
That’s YOU, Network. Because you
have purchased books, because you voted Rachel into an Eagle Rare Life Award
grant, because you donate what you can, when you can, we are able to fulfill
our Mission which helps us to deal with things like July 9 and allows us think
of Charlotte without curling up into</div>
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a fetal position.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_0TK1FXKAq0eC8ZWFhooT9p_RnZsIWK91x2yoPBOJ1OxHulq72IAlIHyPnPbbmDHvz0xHDqhDJOCuF8AWsIIupaYuDVGRkaEpG15_HIgH-mPCW34fKBm2G51Lk8Idqcn1r-t3-ur_3E/s1600/10+CJSTUF+Grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_0TK1FXKAq0eC8ZWFhooT9p_RnZsIWK91x2yoPBOJ1OxHulq72IAlIHyPnPbbmDHvz0xHDqhDJOCuF8AWsIIupaYuDVGRkaEpG15_HIgH-mPCW34fKBm2G51Lk8Idqcn1r-t3-ur_3E/s200/10+CJSTUF+Grants.jpg" width="148" /></a>And speaking of fulfilling the CJSTUF Mission, 10 Financial
Assistance Grants totaling ($5,000) went out in the mail today. You again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So thank you for the world’s largest coping mechanism. Thanks for just being there for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don’t forget to love on your children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’ll take that glass of wine now.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-5135305479999599012012-06-28T08:55:00.000-04:002012-06-28T20:35:34.767-04:00CJSTUF Spotlight: Rachel Reynolds<span style="background-color: white;">Position: Executive Director, Co-Founder, CJ’s Mommy</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP98yhx-mp7Rk5yMUNfq45ZQ8bFtNgyvtksmTjR_gdnb9TasJfKWmFYEuQed6TWsX2Xaqet7LggeGwrJu_wWwNP7j_tM7rdr6WIL7ZFRUWHbCYOtwQIr2mI6lcA9FHHD_GT0Jx49AQEc/s1600/Rachel+head+shot-compress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP98yhx-mp7Rk5yMUNfq45ZQ8bFtNgyvtksmTjR_gdnb9TasJfKWmFYEuQed6TWsX2Xaqet7LggeGwrJu_wWwNP7j_tM7rdr6WIL7ZFRUWHbCYOtwQIr2mI6lcA9FHHD_GT0Jx49AQEc/s320/Rachel+head+shot-compress.jpg" width="320" /></a>Rachel Reynolds is originally from
Daytona Beach, Florida where her mother, Gayellen, and stepfather, John,
currently live. She grew up listening to
the roar emanating from Daytona International Speedway and working at her
godmother’s hotel on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
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An exceptional student, Rachel
participated in the International Baccalaureate program at <a href="http://www.sprucecreekhigh.com/">Spruce Creek HighSchool</a> in Port Orange and graduated second in her class. She entered the <a href="http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost">University of Miami</a> in Coral
Gables as a Music Therapy Major and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in
1997.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While at “The U,” Rachel met a
long-haired, wild dressing, authority bucking jazz vocal graduate student named
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/roger.reynolds">Roger</a> who eventually, somehow, talked her into marrying him and running away to
Richmond, Virginia. It just so happens
that she conveniently had an internship waiting for her at the Virginia
Treatment Center For Children so it worked out ok.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After two years in Richmond, they
picked up stakes and moved to Boone, NC where Rachel started graduate studies
in Speech Language Pathology at <a href="http://www.appstate.edu/">Appalachian State University</a>. After earning her Master’s, Virginia called
again and they moved back; first to Fredericksburg and then finally to Ashland
where they bought their first home and where they still reside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rachel began working at
<a href="http://www.autismva.org/">Commonwealth Autism Services</a> in 2004, left in 2007 to run a small business, and
returned to CAS in 2011. She specializes
in ABA Therapy and recently began her run as principal of The Dominion School
For Autism.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Right in the middle of all that
(2004 to be precise), Rachel found out she was pregnant and on July 9, 2005,
gave birth to Charlotte Jennie Reynolds who became the center of Rachel’s life. Charlotte was a beautiful, sweet (mostly),
curly-haired little girl who learned quickly that “being adorable gets you
stuff.” She had an amazing little voice that melted hearts and made everyone
fall in love with her. She was, indeed,
very special.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2009, an ultimate burden was
placed upon Rachel and Roger when CJ was diagnosed with a primitive neuroectodermal
tumor (PNET) in her brain. Rachel was
pushed to the limit of what a parent should endure and was pushed past it when
Charlotte lost her battle on January 7, 2005.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite the nightmare, Rachel has
been able to continue her life, co-founding <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/">CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation</a> with
Roger, acting as executive director. And
through the pain, she has retained her ability to laugh even so far as joining
an <a href="http://www.comedysportzrichmond.com/">improve comedy troupe</a> in her tiny amount of spare time. Because she knows, first hand, the healing
power of laughter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And so, through the sadness and
tears, she can also smile as she answers “<b>4-1/2
Questions.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><u>Four And A Half Questions:</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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1)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Q: What is your favorite food that you’ve never
eaten?<o:p></o:p></div>
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A: Lobster<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Q: What is your day job?<br />
A: Principal of The Dominion School For Autism/CAS<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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3)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Q: What is one of your favorite things about
Charlotte?<br />
A: Her laugh and her voice (which is technically 2 things but we’ll let it
slide).<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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4)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Q: What is your top goal for CJSTUF.org?<o:p></o:p></div>
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A:
Be recognized nationwide.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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½) Q: Wouldn’t it be cool if…<br />
A: a celebrity played for CJSTUF on
Jeopardy?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm1E3C15TP-7Juz2bXDJWZsbgTMga_gStswPckykGsRPJ8NJgOo3fDvYz8ap2vh_salNWHVSm0oiU4NSkbSUq8ogyAO63NHpQDG5K3KmftbMgrmjIL39t4ygGYy3LzA925L9BG9Dic7I/s1600/Four_Seasons_For_Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm1E3C15TP-7Juz2bXDJWZsbgTMga_gStswPckykGsRPJ8NJgOo3fDvYz8ap2vh_salNWHVSm0oiU4NSkbSUq8ogyAO63NHpQDG5K3KmftbMgrmjIL39t4ygGYy3LzA925L9BG9Dic7I/s200/Four_Seasons_For_Charlotte.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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For more information on her journey through the world of pediatric cancer, check out her book: <u style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.rachel-writes.com/FourSeasons">Four Seasons For Charlotte</a></u> on <a href="http://palaribooks.com/new_reader.asp?id=66">Palari Books</a> or follow her personal blog, <a href="http://www.rachel-writes.com/">I See What You Meme</a>.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-13307344522845713522012-06-26T00:55:00.001-04:002012-06-26T08:08:29.199-04:00Oh! The Chafing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR5dqixUTptVwWMY5kQiEDSZc76_fSIKk77yRgaRZf74TUX9-EvVg5M737xVn0CzFTixhlZSh1JLMghbmygQigjmdjC_IGEbfse8Al_mX72wIpflWSm5_Y6zL4W1WQqry8AnwGGAJ-Io/s1600/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR5dqixUTptVwWMY5kQiEDSZc76_fSIKk77yRgaRZf74TUX9-EvVg5M737xVn0CzFTixhlZSh1JLMghbmygQigjmdjC_IGEbfse8Al_mX72wIpflWSm5_Y6zL4W1WQqry8AnwGGAJ-Io/s200/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+005.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
At the risk of slighting those of
you in the “over 21” age range, I am rarely inspired by grownups anymore. Not that grownups don’t do amazing deeds all
the time, it’s just that on average, those deeds pale in comparison to what “our
kids” achieve daily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3MugG254T3KtTApP1Z3HHXydMGtdqLXYpTn50oQJK7fXXqpQHV3lMib6rW082zQoCpbDqfkar2DYIcJB_YpDU-NotsMgwcesioL4SPoJoG7lxcFtS-zuMCJcZ9lXXfYq1nPj5tJ4qHs/s1600/Len+Forkas+On+The+Bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3MugG254T3KtTApP1Z3HHXydMGtdqLXYpTn50oQJK7fXXqpQHV3lMib6rW082zQoCpbDqfkar2DYIcJB_YpDU-NotsMgwcesioL4SPoJoG7lxcFtS-zuMCJcZ9lXXfYq1nPj5tJ4qHs/s200/Len+Forkas+On+The+Bike.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Len on the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This
weekend, I was inspired by a grown up.
His name is <a href="http://www.hopecam.org/leadership/len-forkas">Len Forkas</a> and he (along with many others) got on a bicycle
in Oceanside, California and pedaled nearly 3,000 miles across the United
States, all the way to Annapolis, Maryland in what was called the <a href="http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/raamfp.php?N_webcat_id=109">Race AcrossAmerica</a>. Not only that, he won his
division (50-59 years old) and placed 10<sup>th</sup> overall, edging out
riders much younger than himself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Len had
a bucket load of inspiration as he was using the event to fundraise for
<a href="http://www.hopecam.org/">Hopecam.org</a>, the non-profit organization he founded that connects homebound
children undergoing treatment for cancer, and other life threatening illnesses,
with their friends, families, and schools using laptops, high speed internet,
and web cameras.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hopecam.org/"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAg4KJchWjKoTZ4OJLqUOl4n1Tci_bBZNH6QW3PM4msn6h-MZq9Ob0-yCKcjSbbjgw7VNZLC39i3IuPuXTDV4MFLCvicfyg9NGNHBHs6mpYlKW9JgeS1VWrJgl0fdTCUCAapGdPXihs4/s1600/HopeCam.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlotte
received a Hopecam notebook computer while she was undergoing treatment and we
used it for Skyping, emailing, writing Caringbridge updates, and most
importantly, for the Reading Vigil. We played recordings of friends/family
reading books to CJ and people Skyped in from all over including our friend, Dr. Karen Massar who, while sitting in The Netherlands, read to Charlotte in Dutch. It’s still one of the most beautiful things I’ve
ever heard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of
the methods employed for keeping the purpose of the ride front and center (not
to mention keeping Len pumped and focused), was to dedicate each day of his
ride to one of the many children who have benefited from Hopecam’s endeavors. On that day, Len would be read descriptions
of the child as he rode. Charlotte got day 8 and a <a href="http://lensraceforhopecam.tumblr.com/post/25554549290/lens-video-dedication-to-the-memory-of-charlotte">video dedication</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
They also invited Rachel and me to
Annapolis to be among the cheering crowd as Len crossed the finish line. The wonderful people at Hopecam, including interim
Executive Director Jennifer Bond, took very good care of us, paying for the
room at The Doubletree Hotel and breakfast Sunday morning. When it became clear
that Len was going to get in much later on Sunday then they had anticipated,
they offered to pay for another night at the hotel so that we could stay and
still see Len cross the “FINISH” line Sunday evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We didn’t mind since Annapolis is a
beautiful town and was calling out to be explored by us. We figured we could
leave early Monday morning in order to get Rachel to work in time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So after a full day of walking, we settled
at the courtyard into which the cyclists would be riding and waited. There was a rather long time in between
finishers which gave us time to network with people in the Hopecam crowd and
with other riders’ crews. One Canadian rider,
nicknamed “The Hammer,” actually got hit by a car in Arizona yet was relatively
uninjured and finished the race in ninth place overall. One member of his crew had the torn up jersey
he had been wearing at the time of the crash and waved it as he crossed the
line. There are many other stories and
not nearly enough space.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ijC_v_zRsh_t2AtNqtwtxJgV2LNbai1u8pUm7eVFCh_nNUMfXP_h4yhcLP51az3BH2nWlYBmlCaOYhs8w0zd2jLU8_pxblj3RTtIZOmiOfF17wqZEOx1pVa3A5XFTkwiOSZyGgibSR0/s1600/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ijC_v_zRsh_t2AtNqtwtxJgV2LNbai1u8pUm7eVFCh_nNUMfXP_h4yhcLP51az3BH2nWlYBmlCaOYhs8w0zd2jLU8_pxblj3RTtIZOmiOfF17wqZEOx1pVa3A5XFTkwiOSZyGgibSR0/s200/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+248.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Len hoisting his bike in celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We finally got word that Len was on
his way and the large Hopecam crowd excitedly gathered around the finish
line. When he came around the corner in the
dark with his various lights shining and blinking like a big rig on the highway,
the crowd went nuts, us included. When
he got off that bike and immediately bent down to greet all the children who
were assembled up front (and there were a LOT of them), it showed, even in his
exhausted state, where his priorities lay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8H6iTEIV1DLmLtD-XyAeIPOiZfDphnkXYMUk0z1qu10HkIQsgDtOAAarZfnsLHypawx-V7Db7t5GuqLMsjSfSjQQIF21PItdxAXC1Iq4v_cSAiU8KeRbFdbjp9MLtYIUjUe4aAbozls/s1600/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8H6iTEIV1DLmLtD-XyAeIPOiZfDphnkXYMUk0z1qu10HkIQsgDtOAAarZfnsLHypawx-V7Db7t5GuqLMsjSfSjQQIF21PItdxAXC1Iq4v_cSAiU8KeRbFdbjp9MLtYIUjUe4aAbozls/s200/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+308.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shannon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Soon, the emcee brought Len on
stage to receive his medal, given to him by two time survivor and Hopecam
beneficiary, Shannon Eastman. Len wasted
no time making sure everyone knew who the star of this event was. “I just finished the toughest bike race in the
world but it’s peanuts compared to what Shannon has had to do.” With Shannon standing
close on the stage, he said, “I could stop at any time, Shannon couldn’t. She had to finish.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Throughout the evening, I found
myself wondering over and over again, “How can I do something like this?” It wouldn’t be easy. Just thinking about the amount of time and effort
it took to train Len, assemble the crew, plan who was going to do what and
where, not to mention feeding everyone, is enough to make a lot of people quit
before they even begin trying.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3r2DdaRZgGNxvSWlDQXfW8eIydvG5MeffJ_nddu6jNzoErhOb1WSuKsXgLiGBmU4ICt_D20hyphenhyphenzfwrAzK_j3khxNGFl0dRENpyLge0tv7RK_pMFgk0Rq0270KNh1U-8tL8S_mpZc_Xjc/s1600/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3r2DdaRZgGNxvSWlDQXfW8eIydvG5MeffJ_nddu6jNzoErhOb1WSuKsXgLiGBmU4ICt_D20hyphenhyphenzfwrAzK_j3khxNGFl0dRENpyLge0tv7RK_pMFgk0Rq0270KNh1U-8tL8S_mpZc_Xjc/s200/Len+Forkas+and+RAAM+339.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger, Len, and Rachel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
But you know us; especially when we’re
inspired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Anyone wanna go for a bike ride?<o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301390485617354237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-48407755096622289502012-06-19T05:00:00.000-04:002012-06-19T06:47:13.357-04:00Moving Forward<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzMCBY5xp9M/T9_lcXhuaYI/AAAAAAAAAHk/u95CBwTTEwY/s1600/logo_color.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzMCBY5xp9M/T9_lcXhuaYI/AAAAAAAAAHk/u95CBwTTEwY/s200/logo_color.png" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our New Logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Can’t do much else can we? As <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Fairchild_Barton">Bruce Barton</a> said, “When you are through
changing, you are through.” We’re
hardwired to keep moving forward; to continually try to make our situation
better even though sometimes all we do is repeat the mistakes of the past. But move forward we must and that is what
we’re doing here at <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/">CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation</a> (hopefully not with the whole
repeating-past-mistakes thing).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Thanks to our generous Network
(that’s YOU, generous reader) we’ve had a very good first half of the year. Revenue is exceeding expectations due to
increased donations, more successful fundraising events, and the release of
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rachel.Reynolds.Writer">Rachel’</a>s book, <b><u><a href="http://www.rachel-writes.com/FourSeasons">Four Seasons ForCharlotte: A Parent’s Year With Pediatric Cancer</a></u></b>. It seems that so far, we have been doing things
the correct way and our mission is being well-supported.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk_qtJQc530/T9_mID4YHYI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mvx85c2PVW4/s1600/Four_Seasons_For_Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk_qtJQc530/T9_mID4YHYI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mvx85c2PVW4/s200/Four_Seasons_For_Charlotte.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cover of Rachel's Book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With
all that in mind, it’s time to take some more baby steps forward. This year, we will award a total of at least
25 <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/financialassistance">financial assistance grants</a>. This
almost doubles our impact from 2011 (so maybe “baby steps” is too conservative
a term). We also have plans to expand
our <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/boardandstaff">Board of Directors</a> and have welcomed some extremely capable members to the
current board. Our fundraising
initiatives like the Butterfly Socials,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150622901134288.415348.91456379287&type=3"> the</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150637277734288.417487.91456379287&type=3">Thumbs Up Ball</a>, and the Fall Art
Auction continue to evolve into our primary annual events and we continue to
seek ways to improve upon the last event’s success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We are also modifying our online
presence a bit. In the near future, you
will see more regular (weekly) blog posts covering various aspects of
<a href="http://cjstuf.org/">CJSTUF.org</a>. We are currently gathering
stories and profiles of our Board of Directors, staff, local medical
professionals, events, partnering non-profits, and most importantly, the reason
we exist - our families. We will
spotlight these courageous families in an attempt to inspire the reader to do
more, to dig deeper, or simply to help the healing process by making the
families aware that they are not alone in their struggle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlHpUALlSGQ/T9_oHDqjDAI/AAAAAAAAAH0/-d1djIQg0gY/s1600/Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlHpUALlSGQ/T9_oHDqjDAI/AAAAAAAAAH0/-d1djIQg0gY/s320/Charlotte.jpg" width="193" /></a>You will soon be seeing small updates
(in both look and function) to the website and social media outlets to include
software upgrades, calendars, new widgets, and more efficient ways to keep up,
and become involved, with CJSTUF.org.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
One thing we are NOT changing is the
mission. We will also never forget the
curly-haired, sweet-voiced little girl whose strength and courage is the
inspiration for what we do every day. (We still miss you, Charlotte!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It’s an exciting and bittersweet time
for us here at CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation as we continue to move forward, or as
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-agin">Jonathan Agin</a> signs off of daughter <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/teamalexis">Alexis’</a>, Caringbridge posts, “…we are one
day further, yet one day closer…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We are so thankful to all who are
helping us make unbearable situations a little more bearable.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Ashland, VA 23005, USA37.7590318 -77.479983737.733924800000004 -77.519465700000012 37.7841388 -77.4405017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-1025672701373965112012-05-07T07:30:00.000-04:002012-05-07T07:30:04.282-04:00Thumbs Up Campaign: Who Will Win?<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The <i>Thumbs Up Campaign</i> is still going strong at many local Ashland businesses. Have you seen the logo in some neighborhood storefronts lately?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Local Ashland businesses have volunteered to support the </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thumbs Up Campaign</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Add a $1 (or more) donation to each transaction and 100% of the proceeds will benefit CJSTUF. Each donor gets their name on a card which will be posted prominently in the business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPObdWR4JUSyk2p-3ra9BvxYylDz8KwjTxjKFpv9T9zpcdI5z4JTuIIkBvHHvj2GxtrQ8dktpq-Q18oI4Cf5Ej0jAm1LqDkHHU5XeUKrG9oeoVF74V6zuZJGln9PDSum2ZIWHNqKGbFvw/s1600/donor+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPObdWR4JUSyk2p-3ra9BvxYylDz8KwjTxjKFpv9T9zpcdI5z4JTuIIkBvHHvj2GxtrQ8dktpq-Q18oI4Cf5Ej0jAm1LqDkHHU5XeUKrG9oeoVF74V6zuZJGln9PDSum2ZIWHNqKGbFvw/s400/donor+card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Current participating businesses include:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pepicellis Pizza 208 S. Washington Highway, Ashland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">NY Nails & Tan 107 N. Washington Highway (Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ashland Pack & Ship 225 N. Washington Highway </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Flower Depot 211 N. Washington Highway </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cross Bros. Grocery 107 S. Railroad Avenue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Train Town Toy & Hobby 104 S. Railroad Avenue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1st Capital Bank-Ashland 409 S. Washington Highway, Ashland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>100% of the proceeds will go to CJSTUF's programs, providing financial assistance to families in need. The business that sells the most cards will win a team-building workshop from <a href="http://www.cszrva.com/">Comedy Sportz Improv Theater</a> valued at $1500!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Thumbs Up Campaign will be going on through May 31st. </b><br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-38627052094900445002012-04-07T14:56:00.000-04:002012-04-07T15:20:16.169-04:00Thumbs Up Campaign: Local Businesses Give Back<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you're shopping around Ashland in the next month or two, you might say some of the proprietors are "all thumbs". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Local Ashland businesses have volunteered to support the </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thumbs Up Campaign</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Add a $1 (or more) donation to each transaction and 100% of the proceeds will benefit CJSTUF. Each donor gets their name on a card which will be posted prominently in the business.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Current participating businesses include:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pepicellis Pizza 208 S. Washington Highway, Ashland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">NY Nails & Tan 107 N. Washington Highway, Ashland (Martin's Shopping Center)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ashland Pack & Ship 225 N. Washington Highway, Ashland (Martin's Shopping Center)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Flower Depot 211 N. Washington Highway, Ashland (Martin's Shopping Center)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Thumbs Up Campaign will be going on through May 31st. </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you own a local business that would like to participate, </span><a href="mailto:roger@cjstuf.org" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">contact Roger ASAP</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. We will supply each business with donor cards, posters, and information about the foundation that can be distributed to customers. The business that raises the most funds by May 31st will win a team-building comedy workshop for their staff from </span><a href="http://www.cszrva.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Comedy Sportz Improv Theater</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> valued at $1500!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PS You don't have to be an Ashland business to participate! </span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-21975732582773354632012-04-05T20:22:00.000-04:002012-04-05T20:23:13.163-04:00Get in the Spirit with some Art!<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our April fundraiser is going to help us get into the spirit of Spring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.myspiritedart.com/">Spirited Art Richmond</a> is hosting as our <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/botm">Business of the Month</a>. Join us on Tuesday, April 24th from 6:30-9 PM and you can paint your very own butterfly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's that you say? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You're not artistic? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You can't paint?!? </b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forget all those ideas.</b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spirited Art makes it easy and fun. I attended a Spirited Art event about two months ago with some of the other writers from <a href="http://www.richmondmom.com/">Richmond Mom</a>. I am one of the <i>least</i> artistic people I know and I found it both easy and fun. The instructors guide you through the process step by step. You can customize your picture and everyone's creation is unique. PLUS, you have access to affordable wine and appetizers from The Wine Loft (conveniently located next door) so no matter what happens, we'll be relaxed and contented! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">from start to finish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If I can do it....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...you can do it!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/spiritedart" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Visit our website</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> if you need more information. Cost is $35 for the evening (wine and appetizers are extra). Space is limited so call today or go online to register for our fundraising night. A large portion ($25) of each registration comes back to CJSTUF so this should be a great night for our organization. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>By the way, speaking of Richmond Mom</b>, don't forget to <a href="http://richmondmom.com/2012/04/01/enter-a-great-richmond-mom-in-richmonds-4th-annual-supermom-contest-3k-in-prize/">nominate your favorite Richmond Super Mom by April 14th</a>. We will get a $5 donation for every nomination!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Also</b>, now is the time to start thinking about hosting a <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/butterflysocial">Butterfly Social</a> in May. What is a Butterfly Social? It's a great excuse to have a party or special get together for your friends. You can give your party any theme you desire and use it as an opportunity to raise awareness (or even a little $$) for our organization. We can provide you with an entire event kit, including invitations, an event checklist, party ideas, and even some cool CJSTUF swag for your guests. Stay tuned for more information or <a href="mailto:michelle@cjstuf.org">contact us</a> if you have questions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Easter, Happy Passover, and Happy Spring to one and all. </span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-14782553400936900312012-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:002012-02-06T08:00:05.283-05:00FAQs about the Thumbs Up Ball<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Thumbs Up Ball is less than 2 weeks away! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Do you have your tickets yet?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What is the Thumbs Up Ball?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When and where does the Thumbs Up Ball take place?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The event is on February 18th from 4:30-7 PM at Shady Grove UMC in Richmond's West End, 4825 Pouncey Tract Rd. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What should I wear to the Thumbs Up Ball?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. <a href="http://www.richmondphotographics.com/">Richmond Photographics</a> 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?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What will there be to eat?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pepicellis.com/">Pepicelli's Pizza</a> 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.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What activities will be there for the kids?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We will have some simple craft activities for all ages. Plus, musical entertainment from <a href="http://www.offeringband.com/">Offering</a> will provide great opportunities to strut your stuff on the dance floor. There will be something for everyone.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've never been to a Silent Auction before. How does it work?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=2">Local businesses have provided some great items for our Silent Auction</a>. 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 <a href="http://www.cszrva.com/">Comedy Sportz Richmond</a>!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do I have to bid on items in order to come to the event?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No. The Silent Auction and raffle are optional. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><b>Raffle? There's a raffle too?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Should I bring money to the event?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ok, you've convinced me. I'm in! How do I get tickets?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Go to the CJSTUF website and <a href="http://www.cjstuf.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=2">order tickets online</a>. You can pay via credit card through our website or send a check within 3 business days. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Will you have tickets available at the door?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tickets are $10 in advance. If we don't sell out, tickets will be $15 at the door. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>See you there!</b></span><br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309232699484102532.post-17516487831324725892012-02-04T12:06:00.001-05:002012-02-04T19:25:37.247-05:00World Cancer Day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today is World Cancer Day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Many of us think of these things every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our lives will never again be the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Until we can eliminate cancer, we continue to remember. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979338004259439220noreply@blogger.com0