Best Year Yet for Great Black Hills Duck Race

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Rubber Ducks Race

This past weekend, tens of thousands of rubber ducks were unleashed on Rapid Creek for the 23rd Annual Great Black Hills Duck Race.

According to project Coordinator Betty Quasney of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation, the event raised $95, 000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. All proceeds go towards equipment for the pediatric intensive care unit and the neonatal pediatric ward at Rapid City Regional Hospital, as well as to educational programs for children.

“So it really makes a big difference,” Quasney said. “I’d like to thank the community and all of our sponsors, because without their help this wouldn’t be possible.”

Angie Kliewer, director of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation, expressed her gratitude as well:

“I thank everyone in this area for their outstanding support of the Great Black Hills Duck Race and the Children’s Miracle Network. The Duck Race is a fun family event which truly benefits our young patients in a big way.”

Before the event, locals and other contributors buy rubber ducks with which to compete in the race. The first duck to cross the finish like wins its buyer $5,000.

This year, Deb Bastgen’s duck won the competition. She explained that she bought ten ducks in honor of her nephew, who was forced to deal with liver failure at just seven years of age.

“My daughter gave him part of her liver, and now he’s 22 and in college and the perfect picture of health,” Bastgen shared. “The Children’s Miracle Network did so much for him, and I just had a great feeling doing that. It’s just wonderful to donate and feel helpful.”

This year was the most successful Duck Race yet, according to the event chairman Kevin Phillips. T-shirts of the event ran out in the first few minutes!

“For me and my family there is no organization closer to our hearts. We’ve seen it firsthand,” he said. “My youngest grandson, Owen, was born six years ago during the duck race. And he was born premature and we needed the help of the Children’s Network and the NICU up at the hospital.”

Bill Gates Accepts Award at International AIDS Conference

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On Saturday, amfAR recognized Bill Gates for his generous contributions to the struggle against AIDS.

The leading charity presented Gates with the Award of Courage at the International AIDS Conference at the Kennedy arts center, in honor of all scientists, health workers and those who suffered from or continue to cope with AIDS and the HIV virus.

“We have many potential game-changers that are bringing us closer to the end of AIDS,” Gates said, referring to antiretroviral medications and new vaccines. “What’s important is to remember that we can continue to make these breakthroughs if we stay committed.

“I’m optimistic… that we will develop these new tools, and that we will make AIDS history. Working together, I know we will,” he said.

The American Foundation for AIDS Research, also known as amfAR, is one of the leading non-profits working to solve the global AIDS-HIV issue. Co-founded by the late Elizabeth Taylor, the organization’s fundraising events often attract celebrity guests and supporters.

Gates and his wife Melinda, through his highly successful software company, have contributed more than $2.5 billion to HIV grants around the world. According to a recent report from amfAR, he has also committed more than $1.4 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

During the event, Gates said:

“We need to invent a vaccine. We need to keep the funding levels going up. We need to grow out new prevention tools. There are still millions of people being affected.”

Sharon Stone, who presented Gates at the event, added:

“I think what we feel like is that we are at the beginning of the end. There isn’t a family left that hasn’t been touched by the AIDS crisis. Now is the time to push this through to the end. We must find a cure. We must find a vaccine. We need to draw this to a close.”

 

Be Bold, Be Bald! with Small Army for a Cause

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Small Army for a Cause has just opened an invitation to all cancer-related 501c3 organizations to benefit from its 4th annual fundraiser that will take place on November 2nd. This event called Be Bold, Be Bald! Has already raised almost $500, 000 and has had more than 4000 participants across the U.S. The event is a day when participants all wear a bald cap all day to honor cancer patients and to raise money for charities that are related to cancer.

During the 3rd annual event, they raised money for 25 cancer related charities. Beneficiaries included The Jimmy Fund, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center and Aimee’s Army, among others.

As Jeff Freedman, the founder of Small Army for a Cause explained, “Be Bold, Be Bald! is an opportunity for all cancer organizations – large and small – to join together for one day to honor those that they are fighting for, and raise money for their organizations. We are honored to be able to help so many great organizations accomplish their unique missions.”

One of the brilliant things about Be Bold, Be Bald! is that there are no physical or time constraints on the activity. Anyone, anywhere can participate as long as they are willing to wear a bald cap for one day and to raise money through their action.

501c organizations can request to be a beneficiary of the event just by going to the event website. Learn more about the Small Army for a Cause and about their Be Bold,Be Bald! program today.

Ryan Zimmerman Honored with the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

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Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals third baseman, is going to be honored with the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. This award is presented each year to the major league player who best shows the character of the Hall of Famer – both in his playing and off of the field.

On July 6th, Zimmerman will be honored before the Nationals game against Colorado. He’s being honored for his charitable work with his ziMS Foundation which raises money for multiple sclerosis.

One night a year, Zimmerman is given the stadium to raise money for his charity by hosting a yearly event at the Nationals Park. The event raised more than $300,000 last year.

Zimmerman will actually be the first National or Expo who is being given the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. The award is handed out by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at Columbia University.

Elton John & Tennis Joining Together to Fight AIDS

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Smash Hit from 2010

If you enjoy tennis, Elton John or assisting foundations that combat AIDS, then you may just be in luck. On October 16th, the 20th annual night of Smash Hits tennis to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh.

In addition to the concert by Sir Elton John, there will be 43 Grand Slam singles championship player in attendance including Billie Jean King, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Andy Roddick. As Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said when announcing the event this week at City Hall, “We’re really excited about this and we look forward to welcoming fans from all over the country and the world this October. It’s another opportunity for us to showcase our great city, specifically around a sports event. This is clearly a sports town.”

As World Team Tennis commissioner Ilana Kloss joked, “The most interesting thing you’ll see is Elton John playing tennis. He does play in a pro-celebrity set to kick off the evening. … He has a huge forehand, but I always joke with him, saying it’s a good thing he’s got a music career as a backup.”
After Elton John shows the audience his tennis moves, the event will include five sets of tennis: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Watch out for ticket sales starting July 16th. And seats are limited with a capacity of about 7000.

KC Natives Return to their Hometown for Charity Event

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This past weekend, as the crowd anticipated the initial clash between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals, they were entertained first by a group of Big Slick celebrities hosted by KC natives Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis and Rob Riggle.

The three celebrities hosted the Little K Wiffle Ball Game, which, alongside a celebrity poker tournament, party and auction, supports the Cancer Center at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Teamed up with other celebs, including Jon Hamm and David Koechner, the three funnymen ‘slugged it out’ on the field against athletes both local and professional.
The annual event was established by Riggle and his fellow hometown icons a few years back.

“I’m a parent, and if you’re a parent and you come to Children’s Mercy and you see the work they’re doing, you’re hooked. It got to me,” Riggle said.

 

Firefly Gala for the Good Shephard Rehabilitation Network

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Almost 450 guests attended a recent black-tie-with-a-twist (sneakers are welcome!) gala that was held for the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania on June 2. The gala raised $260, 000 for the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit. This unit is the only one in Lehigh Valley for pediatric rehab, allowing children across the country to get specialized care when they need it, regardless of their ability to pay.

The garden party included a firefly theme, arranged by co-chairs Jim Miller (former CEO of PPL) and his wife, Gail. When guests arrived, they were able to purchase keys for two lock-box prizes of Susan Bella Jewelry. The group was entertained by InFusion while enjoying Sodexo-prepared hors d’oeuvres.

In the beautiful dining tent, those in attendance heard a moving speech from Megan Brislin, whose two children received card at the Pediatric Unit. Dinner included beef and salmon and there was dancing and dessert afterwards.

70 Year Old Cancer Survivor Bikes 12,000 Miles for Charity

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Bob Lee is preparing for a solo, 12, 000 mile bike ride down the West Coast of the U.S. in an effort to raise both money and awareness for cancer, ALS research and hospice care programs.

The 70-year old cancer survivor discussed his upcoming challenge:

“The most challenging leg of my ride is asking for donations. We are off to a great start with the generous sponsors and matching fund mechanisms already in place but we need to accelerate our ‘call-to-action’; we need friends to donate now before I saddle up.

I’m not a ‘biker’ and I am not fundraiser, I am more of a peddler with a passion to help conquer disease and support those living with life-threatening illnesses,” Lee said. “This is a purpose-driven ride. The people fighting cancer and ALS, the hospice nurses, and all of the people who are collaborating with me on these rides- they are the ones who give me pedal power.”

The West Coast ride is the third and final part of Lee’s solo charity bicycle ride, which covers the perimeter of the United States. He hopes to raise $1 million once he crosses the finish line over the Mexican border. All donations will support three charities: the American Cancer Society, the Les Turner ALS Foundation, and the National Hospice Foundation.

The Damon Brooks Charity Game

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Damon Brooks Charity Game

Damon Brooks Charity Game

You never know where life will take you. In April, former Springbrook High basketball player Damon Brooks, was playing around with his friend. Lifting his friend off the ground, Brooks’ knees buckled and the two boys fell to the ground, where Brooks hit his head and broke his neck.

Two surgeries later, Brooks is at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Rather than asking, “Why Me?” he is trying to put his energies towards his rehabilitation and towards getting back to Goucher College.

Darnell Myers, the Springbrook assistant coach, decided to do something to lift Brooks’ spirits and to help pay for his medical expenses. He organized what he hopes will now be an annual Damon Brooks Charity Game between Goucher players and Springbrook alumni.  They had t-shirts and wrist bands printed for sale and they hosted two games. There was a bake sale and concessions and a large donation box.

Over 400 tickets were sold to the event, and Brooks’ and his mom were certainly touched. As he mom, Latre’ Zankli said, “I didn’t know how many people’s lives he touched until his tragedy. I knew he was a good person, but the outpouring has just been overwhelming.”

While Brooks wasn’t able to attend the charity game, he watched it on an iPad loaned to him.

As one observer, Anoko, wrote on a blog, “So ofcourse, the Springbrook All-Stars won the game and the rest is history! My family was so touched by the outpouring of support from everyone including the Coaches (Past and Present), Staff, Friends, and Family that came out to donate to Damone’s recovery expenses.”

5th Annual Fire Charity Fishing Tournament Supports Child Burn Victims

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A Fire Charity Fishing Tournament was held in support of the Children’s Burn Camp several years ago in Bradenton, and has returned annually ever since.

Founder Erik Nicholson, an engineer for the East Manatee Fire District, makes sure that all of the event’s proceeds go to the charity, which supports child burn victims and allows them to forget about their appearances and form strong relationships with others like them. Since its inception, the tournament has raised more than $25,000.

He explained, “You spend most of your life trying to keep your head above water. For me, life was good and I wanted to do something to benefit others.

“It is so important for children who have been hurt by fires to have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and regain self-confidence. The burn camp provides those services and I’m proud our tournament provides money for their program.”

This year’s tournament caters to children as well, allowing supervised kids aged 5-12 to fish from the Bradenton Yacht Club seawall for only $10. The price also includes lunch on the scene from Chick-Fil-A, music, entertainment, free face paint, a bouncy house and arts and crafts. As for the tournament, “if it swims- it counts” and the biggest fish catcher gets a prize. All fish are released alive.

Committee Member Erin Craft explained the unique advantages of the event. “It’s an affordable way to promote outdoor activities and helping others,” she said. “We expect to see a lot of catfish, but any species is fun for the kids to reel in.”

Here are some highlights from last year’s event: