Today’s Helping Hero: Goddard School At Walton Park
Today’s Helping Hero: Goddard School at Walton Park
“We’re going to need a bigger car!” That is what Celia, Executive Director, thought when she saw the boxes and boxes of snacks waiting for her to pick up. The kiddos at Goddard School in Walton Park hosted a snack drive in honor of their student/childhood cancer hero Lucy. Lucy is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Connor’s Heroes began helping the family when Lucy was admitted to the hospital last September.
Our Program Team will need every last snack to stock the shelves in the Connor’s Family Room on the 12th Floor of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Hosting a Snack Drive is an easy way for your school, club, or family to give back to help childhood cancer hero families in the hospital. You start by ordering snacks from our Amazon Wish List, or buying them at your favorite grocery store. Ship or drop them off at our office. We need to stock the pantry every week. The families love the snacks that much!
“I always knew Richmond was a small town, but it became very clear to me when I learned that one of my son’s classmates is a childhood cancer hero. I couldn’t be prouder of my Goddard family for stepping up to help not only Lucy but the hundred other children battling cancer right now.” — Celia, Executive Director & Hal’s mom
You can be a hero just like these kiddos and donate snacks for the hospital. We created an Amazon Wish List of families’ favorite snacks. Pick out your favorites, order them, and ship them directly to our office. Here is the link: https://a.co/fKmCZJY
March Heroes Art Session
Lucky Day In The Art Studio
Was it just a coincidence (or maybe the luck of the Irish) that Connor’s Heroes hosted the March Heroes Art Session was on St. Patrick’s Day? Our childhood cancer hero families showed up wearing green ready to create and spread good luck.
Paintings, Headshots & Videos
At the March Heroes Art Session, the heroes continued making art for the 13th Annual Heroes Art Ball. Hero Artists Mentors (some new and others returning because they love working with the kids!!) turned their concepts into art. The childhood cancer heroes will present their pieces during the live auction at the Heroes Art Ball. (All we need from you is the winning bid!)
Over in the other studios, some hero families got the Hollywood treatment. They were interviewed for their Hero videos and posed for their headshots. We will feature hero families at this year’s Heroes Art Ball — from toddlers to teens. These families represent the children who need Connor’s Heroes support during their treatment.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Ariana • Aschemund • Augie • Ava • Charlotte • Everett • Harcum • Holden • Javier • Jericho • John • June • Kennedy • Lindsey • Mary-Geneva • TayNeise • Tecumseh • Valentin
Hero Artist Mentors & Volunteers: Vishnu Alavala, Patrica Burchett, Swara Chokshi, Sarah Cross, Emily Dickey, Jennike Duignam, Lauren Edwards, Nancy Jacey, Frankie Slaughter, Brittany Stageberg, and Olivia Tyson
Picture Credit: Hysell Photography and 410 Productions
Art Sessions Featured On CBS 6
WTVR CBS 6 showed up to film a news story about the magic of the Heroes Art Sessions. You can watch the segment online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTjil3ii5ro (note: the correct date of the Heroes Art Ball is May 3, 2024)
They weren’t the only video cameras. 410 Productions, a new video production company, tested out their videography skills and took videos of all the action happening at the Heroes Art Session.
Remember, for each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day. The March Heroes Session was one lucky day.
Save The Date: Heroes Art Ball on May 3, 2024
The Heroes Art Ball is Connor’s Heroes biggest night of the year. You don’t need a ticket to join in. You can participate from home. Register as a “virtual bidder” so you can bid on hundreds of items and art in our online auction. Auction registration is Free! http://onecau.se/hab
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
Today’s Helping Hero: Rainbow Restoration
We want to thank Brittany with Rainbow Restoration for taking the time to come to our office and stuff Heroes Bags and Backpacks. She hand-picked toys and crafts perfect for a boy or girl from toddler to teen.
We continue to have a record-number of registrations as more children are being treated for cancer at CHoR. Our Heroes Bag and Backpack is their introduction to Connor’s Heroes. It welcomes a family into a community of heroes ready to help. If you want to join our volunteer email list, register online https://bit.ly/connors-heroes-volunteer.
Rainbow Restoration is a family-owned, female led restoration company located in Rockville VA. This was Brittany’s first time volunteering (and hopefully not her last) with Connor’s Heroes.
❝Rainbow Restoration is excited to build a relationship with Connor’s Heroes. We are happy to support an organization who does so much for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Connor’s Heroes’ impact on the community is one to be admired.❞
If you work for a company who likes to give back, you can sponsor a service project for your team. Click here to visit our Volunteer FAQ page to start.
February Heroes Art Session
Artists Take Over Heroes Art Session
A team of talented artists came to the Visual Arts Center ready to inspire the kids’ creativity. The childhood cancer heroes and their siblings painted and crafted, bopping from station to station. The artist will take the piece to their studios, put a few finishing touches to get them ready for the live auction at the 13th Annual Heroes Art Ball on Friday, May 3, 2024 at the John Marshall Ballrooms, 101 N. 5th Street in downtown Richmond.
Save The Date: Heroes Art Ball on May 3, 2024
The Heroes Art Ball is Connor’s Heroes biggest night of the year. The night includes live music, delicious food, open bar, games, parking and our special guests: childhood cancer hero families! The main event is the live auction of art created by the heroes at the Heroes Art Session. Each piece expresses the emotions of being a child with cancer and hope for a better future. Tickets are on sale March 1, 2024. You can purchase tickets online onecau.se/_44q7v1 or by calling (804) 897-1272.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Ada, Alessa, Alvion, Augie, Harrison, Javi, Jericho, Kennedy, Nikola, Sydney, Tay
Hero Artist Mentors & Volunteers: Ashley Cogbill, Sarah Cross, Nancy LeBlanc, Kathleen O’Connor, Frankie Slaughter, Emilia Texler, Monica Wilmore, Mehanna Borostyan, Mary O’Brien, Liza Shands, Crystal Tetlow
Picture Credit: Hysell Photography, Liza Shands, Nick Ratcliff
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
Today’s Helping Hero: Bettie Weaver Elementary's K-Kids Club
Bluebirds Help Connor’s Heroes Families
The students of Chesterfield’s Bettie Weaver Elementary School (aka The Bluebirds) flocked together to support their classmate Fisher. Fisher was diagnosed in August 2022. It has not been easy. His family drove back and forth to John’s Hopkins in Baltimore for treatment. Mom and dad shuttled between Baltimore and Richmond to make sure Fisher was not alone. Thankfully, after a year in treatment, doctors said Fisher could start school. GO FISHER!!
Fisher’s school hosted a supply drive to help the local kids battling cancer. They ordered supplies off of Connor’s Heroes Amazon Wish List. The kids got to work! In no time, they assembled more than 50 toiletry bags. Connor’s Heroes Program Team will make sure these go into our parent totes for newly diagnosed families!
Thank you Bettie Weaver Bluebirds for caring for Fisher and all the brave children who are battling cancer right now.
If your school or community service group is looking for a group volunteer project, Connor’s Heroes can set you up. Register your school or service organization: https://bit.ly/connors-heroes-volunteer. A Connor’s Heroes staff member will follow up.
Today's Helping Hero: Capital One
Employees Help Newly Diagnosed Families
We were so excited when Capital One contacted Connor’s Heroes. They wanted to volunteer but weren’t sure how to start. We had the answer! Families in the hospital are loving all the snacks in the Connor’s Heroes Family Room. So much that we were running low, even after the generous donations from a snack drive last month. They decided to sponsor a snack supply drive!
Capital One team purchased hundreds of sweets, snacks and coffee. Celia came to their office and spoke to them about the organization’s mission. They worked together to assemble snack bags for the hospital.
Wait, it gets even better. A few members of the team wanted to go the extra mile. Capital One showed up at our office to assemble 30 Parent Totes. They got choked up when Celia told them about our backpack and tote program – it’s a family’s first introduction to Connor’s Heroes. They were ready to make a difference. Boy, did they! Thank you Capital One!
If your company is looking for a group volunteer project, Connor’s Heroes can set you up. Register your company or service organization: https://bit.ly/connors-heroes-volunteer. A Connor’s Heroes staff member will follow up.
January Heroes Art Session
Childhood Cancer Heroes Create!
The Heroes Art Session of 2024 kicked off a colorful and creative start to the new year. The January session was a mix of new heroes and regulars. From one year old Harrison to 10-year-old Jericho. Also new to the Heroes Art Session was Jillian our recently hired Program Director. Artist Mentor Nancy Jacey returned with her collaborative art project. We couldn’t believe it when Nancy walked in carrying Lady Liberty herself — the Statue of Liberty.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Ada • Augie • Ava • Charlotte • Harrison • Jericho • June • Kennedy
Hero Artist Mentors & Volunteers: Liza • Nancy • Chris • Swara Jack Jacey • Dee • Damian
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
Today’s Helping Hero: Anna
Today’s Helping Hero is Anna! A childhood cancer hero is giving back to kids in treatment.
In 2013, shortly after her 7th birthday, doctors diagnosed Anna with a brain tumor. She got through a long difficult treatment. Connor’s Heroes was honored to help her family. Anna’s favorite activity were the Connor’s Heroes Heroes Art Sessions. And they still are! Anna is one of regular volunteers at the Heroes Art Sessions. She works side by side with children currently in treatment.
It was Anna’s passion for art and compassion for fellow childhood cancer heroes that she thought of Connor’s Heroes for her high school senior year project. For her project, Anna created grab-n-go art kits. Inside the pouch are art supplies for bedside crafts for a specific age group — from toddler to teen. Meredith and Jillian are giving the art kits to a child who craves creativity to beat the boredom of cancer.
If you are a high school senior in need of a senior project, contact Connor’s Heroes with your idea. You might be our next Helping Hero! Read our Volunteering FAQ to see how you can start: https://www.connorsheroes.org/volunteer-faqs/
Holiday on Hermitage!
Holiday On Hermitage
Connor’s Heroes was excited to host our Holiday Open House in our office on the corner of Hermitage and Broad Street — not far from the hospital. We opened our doors and invited every family whose child is in active treatment for cancer over the holidays.
“Are you ready to see Santa?”
The most magical part of the day was our very own Santa. Santa spent the day with us doing what he does best: listening to a child’s holiday wishes and posing for pictures. Some kids jumped right onto Santa’s lap. Sweet Harcum needed a gentle coaxing before he nestled up to Saint Nick.
The children and parents built sugary gingerbread houses out of milk cartons, graham crackers, gum drops, and candies (a classic craft for the holidays). Each child made a holiday ornament of a snow globe with their picture in the middle! It will be a keepsake ornament for years to come.
The Local Cup Coffee Co rolled into our parking lot. Families (and Santa) treated themselves to delicious coffee, hot cocoa, and pastries.
Celia gave every parent a much-needed $250 Visa gift card for holiday expenses. A family walked out of the Holiday Open House with their arms full of presents and their hearts filled with joy.
Harcum Meets Santa
Four-year-old Harcum (nicknamed “Turtle”) wasn’t sure about meeting Santa. He knew what he wanted for Christmas (spoiler: a nerf gun), but did he have the courage to ask Santa? With some coaxing by his grandma, Santa’s elf, and Twizzlers, Harcum slowly inched closer and closer until he stood right next to Santa himself. Harcum even let Grandma take a picture. What a beautiful holiday memory!
Thank You To Our Holiday Heroes
Over the holidays, parents and caregivers are juggling the emotional stress of their child’s diagnosis with the financial stress of giving their family the holiday they deserve after a difficult year. The Holiday Hero Fund provided each family in active treatment a $250 VISA gift card, tickets to Lewis Ginter GardenFest of Lights, and presents from their holiday wish lists.
The Holiday Heroes Fund was fully funded thanks to our community of heroes, especially. Cathy Heizer and her family, Marla and Jack Fergerson and The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. Below is the long list of caring people who donated to the 2023 Holiday Hero Fund:
Accent Professional Recruiting LLC • Peyton Adams • Robbie Andrews • Barbara Antoskow • AT&T Services • Ben Baxter • Jennifer Bennett • Beyond The Entertainer • Neil Biller • Tim Bishop • Adam Blackwell • Thomas and Bethany Block • Mike Brammer • Don Bray • Trip Chalkley • Donald Coleman • Commercial Plastering and Drywall • Stuart Craft • Trevor Denton • Davis Durrett • Laura Earley • Jack and Marla Fergerson • Jake Fiesler • Matt and Tammy Griffin • Linda Harris • Keith Harvey • Cathy Heizer • Jim Heizer • Justin Heizer • Help Charities Inc. • Chad Hollins • Neal Hollins • Vicki Huber • Hudson Group Realty • Tim Kelley • Carl King • Cherie Lane • Linda Loverro • Ross Luck • Dan and Celia Martin • Lynn McCoy • Tim and Ashley Menninger • Doug Michel • Elizabeth Minter • Kathy Morton • Kenneth Murray • Old Dominion Drywall • Jennifer Owen • William Payne • Anthony Pelling • Randall Peyton • Jason Pritchard • John Pritchard • Sandra • Tim Shelton • Jeff Smith • Jeff Stallings • Brian Steveson • Susan Mclauchlan Jewelers • Breakthru Beverage • Michael and Jennifer Tolley • Gail Warren Weymouth • Dave Werner • Doug Wilberger
Thank you to the talented photographers who captured these special holiday moments: Hysell Photography, LaLovely Photography, Angela and Sheldon.
Introducing Jillian, Connor's Heroes New Program Director
Say “hi” to the newest member of the Connor’s Heroes team: Jillian Carpenter. On Monday, January 8, 2024, Jillian will formally begin her role as Connor’s Heroes Program Director.
Jillian has a Masters of Social Work. She is a clinician, educator, and community liaison with more than a decade of experience. In college and graduate school, she worked with pediatric oncology patients and their families. Prior to joining Connor’s Heroes, she served as an Assistant Professor in Teaching at the VCU School of Social Work. She is a member of the board at Full Circle Grief Center.
“I have been a supporter of Connor’s Heroes since I became a volunteer over ten years ago. In my role as Program Director, I hope to help children and families feel less alone by companioning them with warmth and compassion. I look forward to building relationships to provide support that feels validating and helpful.”
Jillian will welcome a family to Connor’s Heroes after their child’s diagnosis. She will get to know a family and offer emotional and financial support specific to a family’s situation. Jillian will work closely with Meredith Burns, the Child Life Specialist at CHoR.
Learn More About Jillian:
What are three words that best describe you?
Compassionate, thoughtful, and collaborative.
What is something you love to do that most people would never imagine:
I enjoy beach combing and collecting sea glass, shells and pottery while imagining the journey these objects took to get to this exact point of collection. I also love to read books that include magic realism!
The best thing someone ever taught you:
Two things can be true at the same time — both/and thinking.
Your favorite singer:
Judah And The Lion