The Week Of Chaos!

As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month continues, we are having another typical week in the life of CJSTUF.org!  Lot's of stuff going on.

1) Groupon Grassroots:  Recently, we were awarded a Groupon Grassroots Campaign during which $10 donations are taken to help fund one Lunch Bunch meal for the families being treated up on the 7th floor of Children's Hospital of Richmond  (This is our meal program for which we have teamed up with Connor's Heroes Foundation). 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.

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.

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 CJSTUF will be aiming for three specifically.

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.

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 ComedySportz 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!

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 Pepicelli's Pizza 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 CJSTUF's Business Of The Month for September; another great reason to come in!)

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.

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.

3 and 4) Rachel still continues to hold her own in the two voting-based contests.  The Eagle Rare Life contest has her at 4732 at this writing and we have no way of knowing how well she's doing in the Lady Godiva Program.  Just keep voting every 24 hours and we'll let you know something when we do.

5) The "Every Day Is A Bonus" Fall Art Auction 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 here.

6) Did we mention that Pepicelli's Pizza is the Business Of The Month 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!

We'll rest in January.

From Laughter to WINE-ing and Back to Tears

First the laughter…

We definitely know that laughter is very therapeutic.  And slightly lucrative for non-profits. Rachel and I have become involved with ComedySportz Improv Theatre of Richmond 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.

Just that little game garnered over $300 for CJSTUF.

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!

Now for the WINE-ing…

This month, our Business Of The Month is really only it for one day but it’s a doosie!  Kate Hall over at RichmondMom.com has developed a tremendous relationship with the Wine Loft 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^th.  It is certainly possible because this year, an anonymous donor has offered to match donations if over $500 is raised at the event.  How's that for incentive?

Yeah, it’s not the first Wednesday but the whole July 4^th thing got in the way.

Tickets are $10 and include a raffle ticket (more available for $1 each), appetizers, and discounted wine.

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.

Time for the BONUS ROUND!

Rachel has surpassed the 1200 vote mark in her quest to repeat as an Eagle Rare Life 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 MCV/Children’s Hospital Of Richmond for which CJSTUF has partnered with Connor’s Heroes Foundation and local restaurants to provide meals for the families of children receiving treatment on the 7^th floor of VCU’s Children’s Hospital of Richmond.  $30,000 would take care of a lot of meals.

People can vote once every 24 hours here.  Please set your alarms and spread the word.

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^th 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 JavaGarden 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^th and think about our beautiful baby girl on her 7^th Birthday.

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

a fetal position.

And speaking of fulfilling the CJSTUF Mission, 10 Financial Assistance Grants totaling ($5,000) went out in the mail today.  You again.

So thank you for the world’s largest coping mechanism.  Thanks for just being there for us.

Don’t forget to love on your children.

I’ll take that glass of wine now.

CJSTUF Spotlight: Rachel Reynolds

Position: Executive Director, Co-Founder, CJ’s Mommy

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.

An exceptional student, Rachel participated in the International Baccalaureate program at Spruce Creek HighSchool in Port Orange and graduated second in her class.  She entered the University of Miami in Coral Gables as a Music Therapy Major and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in 1997.

While at “The U,” Rachel met a long-haired, wild dressing, authority bucking jazz vocal graduate student named Roger 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.

After two years in Richmond, they picked up stakes and moved to Boone, NC where Rachel started graduate studies in Speech Language Pathology at Appalachian State University.  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.

Rachel began working at Commonwealth Autism Services 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.

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.

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.

Despite the nightmare, Rachel has been able to continue her life, co-founding CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation with Roger, acting as executive director.  And through the pain, she has retained her ability to laugh even so far as joining an improve comedy troupe in her tiny amount of spare time.  Because she knows, first hand, the healing power of laughter.

And so, through the sadness and tears, she can also smile as she answers “4-1/2 Questions.”

Four And A Half Questions:

1)      Q: What is your favorite food that you’ve never eaten?

A: Lobster

2)      Q: What is your day job?
A: Principal of The Dominion School For Autism/CAS

3)      Q: What is one of your favorite things about Charlotte?
A: Her laugh and her voice (which is technically 2 things but we’ll let it slide).

4)      Q: What is your top goal for CJSTUF.org?

A: Be recognized nationwide.

            ½)   Q: Wouldn’t it be cool if…
                        A: a celebrity played for CJSTUF on Jeopardy?

For more information on her journey through the world of pediatric cancer, check out her book: Four Seasons For Charlotte on Palari Books or follow her personal blog, I See What You Meme.

Thumbs Up Campaign: Who Will Win?

The Thumbs Up Campaign is still going strong at many local Ashland businesses.  Have you seen the logo in some neighborhood storefronts lately?


Local Ashland businesses have volunteered to support the Thumbs Up Campaign.  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.

Current participating businesses include:
Pepicellis Pizza         208 S. Washington Highway, Ashland
NY Nails & Tan          107 N. Washington Highway (Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center)
Ashland Pack & Ship  225 N. Washington Highway (Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center)
Flower Depot           211 N. Washington Highway (Ashland-Hanover Shopping Center)
Cross Bros. Grocery   107 S. Railroad Avenue
Train Town Toy & Hobby 104 S. Railroad Avenue
1st Capital Bank-Ashland  409 S. Washington Highway, Ashland


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 Comedy Sportz Improv Theater valued at $1500!


The Thumbs Up Campaign will be going on through May 31st. 

FAQs about the Thumbs Up Ball

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


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


What is the Thumbs Up Ball?

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


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


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


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


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


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


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

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


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


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


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


See you there!

As the year winds down

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

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

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

Captain Rachel takes on Captain "Boots" 

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

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

Boots and sweatpants
are an excellent fashion choice

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


















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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

November Events

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


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


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

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


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

California Pizza Kitchen: This Thursday!

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


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

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






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

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


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