Save the Date—Friday May 16, 2014—for the Heroes Art Ball
As you open up a new calendar for 2014, add this date in May!
Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Science Museum of Virginia
The Heroes Art Ball is Connor's Heroes signature fund raising event. Over 100 businesses and 300 people attend this one remarkable night. Everyone enjoys meeting the children of Connor's Heroes and bidding on their beautiful pieces of art. This one night raises 20% of our programming budget.
Interested in being a sponsor? We have sponsor levels ranging from $500 to $10,000. Contact lisa@connorsheroes.org or (804) 897-1272.
Celebrating A Milestone in Treating Pediatric Cancer!
To celebrate the naming of the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, Lisa, Steve, Connor and Emily gathered with the board members, supporters and doctors who are dedicating themselves to raising funds for research. It was a time to reflect on the successes of Connor's Heroes -- We have supported over 700 families as they navigate the world of childhood cancer. The Heroes Art Ball raised over $65,0000 this year. We worked with the VCU Massey Cancer Center to raise the money needed to support research by an endowed chair in pediatric oncology - $480,000 so far! The Board committed themselves to raise at least $100,000 more by 2018. You can help by making a tax deductible donation before the year's end. You can make a one-time contribution or commit to automatically donating every month. You can donate on our secure website www.connorsheroes.org
Eat, Drink and Fight Pediatric Cancer on December 11th
Come to the American Tap Room at The Shops at Willow Lawn on December 11th. Enjoy a meal as you raise money for Connor's Heroes! On December 11th, the American Tap Room will donate 10% of all proceeds to Connor's Heroes. Connor's Heroes' Board of Directors are planning a working dinner at ATR. Stop by and say "hello" if you see them.
You must tell your server that you are dining in support of Connor's Heroes. For more information about Richmond's newest restaurant, visit http://www.americantaproom.com/
Growing Up With Connor and Connor’s Heroes!
It's hard to believe that the little boy on the poster is now a healthy, middle school student. Yes, standing to the left of the poster is Connor with his parents, Lisa and Steve, and sister Emily. Connor's Heroes has grown as much as Connor! The organization has supported over 700 families. The Connor’s Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund has over $480,000 to fund research of pediatric cancer. The Heroes Art Ball raised over $65,000 this year. The Goodwin family committed themselves to making sure every child being treated for cancer in Richmond has the opportunity to receive a Heroes backpack and support from its volunteers. Because they experienced cancer within their own family, they understood the anxiety, stress and hope families feel when they receive the diagnosis. You can help Connor's Heroes reach more families by making a donation before the year's end. Your donation will fund our signature programs such as the Heroes Backpacks, Parent Gift Bags, Superhero and Sidekicks, and Bone Marrow Transplant Room Decorations. You can also designate your donation for The Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. Simply click here to donate.
Thank you for helping Connor's Heroes grow!
Volunteers rally to decorate rooms of three children who were starting bone marrow transplants
We couldn't believe it - in one week three children were being admitted to the Bone Marrow Unit for treatment. Three families were preparing to live the next weeks (maybe months) in the hospital as their children receive bone marrow transplants. Connor's Heroes volunteers rallied for these kids! They hit the party stores to buy decorations and spent evenings getting the rooms ready. It was an amazing team effort. We are grateful for all our volunteers. They laugh, cry, listen and smile with our patients' families. If you know a Connor's Heroes volunteer, say thank you. Find out how they helped a family. It may inspire you to do the same. To learn more or to volunteer, visit https://www.connorsheroes.org/get-involved.
Support Kim As She Runs to Raise Money for Cancer Research
Connor’s Heroes' board member, Kim MacLeod, pledged to raise $5,000 for Connor's Heroes by running not one, not two, but three marathons! WOW - that equals 78.65625 miles to be exact. That's the equivalent of running from Richmond to Hampton! If you'd rather not run to Hampton, you can support her by making a donation at her personal fundraising page. Last month, Connor's mom and dad, several board members and their friends and colleagues ran the Amazing Raise 5K. Running by their sides were Connor and his buddies. If you are interested in running to raise money for Connor's Heroes, please contact lisa@connorsheroes.org.
Volunteering FAQs
Volunteering With Connor's Heroes
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Connor’s Heroes to help childhood cancer heroes. We value time, talent, energy and enthusiasm. To start, you fill out our Volunteer Interest Form [CLICK HERE]. You will answer a few questions about yourself and why you want to volunteer. You will receive emails (about once a month) announcing our volunteer opportunities. You can choose the events based on your interest and schedule. (Note: the majority of our volunteering is in Richmond, Virginia)
Heroes Art Session
Most every month, Connor’s Heroes host our Heroes Art Session. Each art session is packed with different types of art projects lead by artist mentors and volunteers. Depending on which artists attend, the medium may be painting, sewing, clay, watercolors, or pastels. Each child can move from one art station to the next. Art Sessions are held at the Vis Arts Center of Richmond, one Sunday a month, from 2-3:30 pm.
You can volunteer to lead or assist with an art project. Starting in the spring, we will work on collaborative projects that we auction at our gala event, The Heroes Art Ball.
Connor’s Heroes Events
Throughout the year, we will have opportunities where we need extra hands and smiles. Some events are with our hero families (like a Pizza Party at Mellow Mushroom). Or at a restaurant, brewery, or festival. In December, we host a Holiday Open House for our hero families.
Heroes Art Ball
The Heroes Art Ball is an evening celebrating our hero families, full of music, great food, dancing, a silent auction – all supporting the work of Connor’s Heroes. We have monthly planning meetings starting in the new year. You can also volunteer the day of the gala. This is an excellent opportunity if you need community service hours.
Group Volunteer Activities
If you are part of a church, service organization, scouting, student group, or business, you may be able to help Connor’s Heroes. We sometimes have seasonal or one-time volunteer opportunities. Examples include helping in the office with mailings, packing Family Fun Packs, or doing yard work for our Hero families in the fall.
Photographer/Videographer
Capture the special moments of our hero families at our events. You will give a parent a lasting memory they will cherish. You do not need to be a professional photographer. Photographing an event is a great way to build your portfolio.
Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
Coordinate a Hero Backpack or Parent Tote Supply Drive:
After a child is diagnosed with cancer, they receive a Heroes Backpack and Parent Totebag. Parents call it a “lifeline” during the early days of their child’s treatment. You will host a drive for supplies for the Heroes Bags and Backpacks. You will “shop” from our Amazon wish list of popular games, toiletries, personal items, etc. Collect the donations, and drop off or ship them to Connor’s Heroes office. View our Amazon Wish List [LINK]
Coordinate a Gift Card Drive:
You will host a drive to collect gift cards. You will “shop” from our Amazon wish list of gift cards from restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores. Collect the donations, and drop off or ship them to Connor’s Heroes office. We will mail a gift card for a patient’s birthday or when a child needs a pick-me-up. View our Amazon Wish List [LINK]
Coordinate a Family Fun Pack Supply Drive:
Family Fun Packs are sent right to a patient family’s doorstep filled with everything they need for a Game Night or Movie Night. You will host a drive to purchase supplies for Family Fun Packs. You will “shop” from our Amazon wish list. Collect the donations, and drop off or ship them to Connor’s Heroes office. View our Amazon Wish List [LINK]
Volunteering FAQs
I am under the age of 18. Can I volunteer?
In most cases, yes. When you fill out the volunteer online form, remember to check the box that you are under the age of 18.
My company has a day of service. Can we volunteer at Connor’s Heroes?
Email or call Celia, Executive Director, with the details about your day of service. You can reach Celia at celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272.
I am volunteering to earn community service hours for my school.
Great. Be sure to submit your paperwork with as soon as you completed your volunteering.
I don’t live in Richmond. Can I still volunteer?
Yes, but you are limited to volunteering virtually.
How will you tell me about volunteer opportunities?
We will send you an email (about once a month). Read it over and click the links to sign up. Please add our emails to your contacts so our email doesn’t get thrown into your spam or junk folder.
Ready to Volunteer? Contact:
Dayna Cobb, Program and Volunteer Manager
(804) 997-1660 • dayna@connorsheroes.org
Heroes Art Sessions FAQs
Heroes Art Sessions FAQs
When and where are the art sessions?
The Heroes Art Session* dates are below. Each session is held from 2:00 – 3:30 PM at the Visual Art Center of Richmond. Art Session sign ups are emailed out a few weeks in advance. Feel free to come to more than one session if you are able. Contact Dayna, Program and Volunteer Manager, at dayna@connorsheroes.org if you have questions.
- Sunday June 30, 2024
- Sunday July 21, 2024
- Sunday August 18, 2024
- Sunday September 15, 2024
- Sunday, October 20, 2024
- Sunday, November 17, 2024
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 W Main Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Street parking and additional parking available in the lot in the back of the building.
*Dates subject to change.
Does my child need to be artistic to participate?
Artistic ability not required – because our amazing volunteers and artists will spark your child’s creativity. They will have fun, express themselves artistically, and get to spend time with other kids who understand what they’re going through.
Who comes to an art session?
We invite childhood cancer heroes who are in active treatment and post treatment. The rest of the family is invited too! Art projects are for toddlers to teens. Even parents and caregivers create too!
What happens at an art session?
Each art session is packed with different types of art projects. Depending on the artists, the mediums vary from painting, sewing, clay, watercolors, pastels, and more. Each child can move from one art station and participate in all projects. We typically have at the end of the session a yummy treat like Kona Ice Truck. Click here to see photos from our Heroes Art Sessions.
What is a collaborative piece?
Our Artist Mentors concept an art piece for all the children to work on together. The beauty of collaborative art is so many creative hands had a part in making the masterpiece come to life. Children have painted blocks when pieced together made up a butterfly, painted the spots on a giraffe with their favorite color, or sewed a quilt block.
These art pieces are later auctioned off at Connor’s Heroes largest fundraiser of the year, The Heroes Art Ball.
Can my child take home the art they create?
Yes, at each session there will be at least one piece your child can take home with them.
What is the Heroes Art Ball?
It’s an evening celebrating our hero families, full of music, great food, dancing, a silent auction – all supporting the work of Connor’s Heroes. This is our largest fundraiser of the year and supports all of our programs. The main event is the live auction of art created by our Heroes who are in active treatment and their siblings with help from local, professional artists. Each collaborative piece expresses the emotions of being a child with cancer and the hope for a better future. If you are interested in learning more about the Heroes Art Ball, contact Celia at celia@connorsheroes.org.
Contact Us
(804) 897-1272
www.connorsheroes.org
admin@connorsheroes.org