Thumbs Up Campaign: Local Businesses Give Back

If you're shopping around Ashland in the next month or two, you might say some of the proprietors are "all thumbs".  


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 (Martin's Shopping Center)
Ashland Pack & Ship 225 N. Washington Highway, Ashland (Martin's Shopping Center)
Flower Depot           211 N. Washington Highway, Ashland (Martin's Shopping Center)
The Thumbs Up Campaign will be going on through May 31st. 


If you own a local business that would like to participate, contact Roger ASAP.  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 Comedy Sportz Improv Theater valued at $1500!


PS You don't have to be an Ashland business to participate! 

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!

The Thumbs Up Ball

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

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


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


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


Craft activities for the kids


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


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


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


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


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

Get your tickets online at our website.  

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

Carnival Cancelled due to Irene

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

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

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

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

Better luck next time.

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

Carnival Update!

Hi Everyone! 

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

You got questions? I got answers!

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

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

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

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

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

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

So to recap: 

Carnival and Bake Sale

August 27th, 4-10 PM

Pepicellis Pizza parking lot
208 S. Washington Hwy

Admission: donation of your choosing

Y'all come!

Questions? Contact Us!