Happy Holidays from The Goodwin Family!
Lisa, Steve, Emily and Connor thank you for supporting Connor's Heroes! Whether you've given your time, donations, financial contributions or prayers, you are part of our "community of Heroes" who help our courageous Heroes. In 2013, you made all this possible:
- Provided 70 Heroes Bags & Backpacks to families
- Treated more than 70 families to special events like the circus, baseball games
- Supported 28 families with gas and grocery gift cards, meals, babysitting, and housecleaning
- Decorated the rooms of 12 pediatric bone marrow transplants
- Raised over $24,000 for pediatric cancer research in Richmond with more donations arriving in the mail every day
- Volunteered over 4,000 hours
Thank you for supporting the children in Richmond who are being treated for pediatric cancer, the #1 leading cause of childhood death from disease. Who knew one backpack would lead to all this? It is happening, thanks to you!
Companies reach out to CHF by holding charity and supply drives
Almost every week since Thanksgiving, an organization called our office to say they were hosting a benefit for CHF! We've had an amazing outpouring of generosity with in-kind donations as well as financial contributions. Here's how they supported our Hero families:
- American Tap Room picked Connor's Heroes as their first charity partner as they opened their first location in Richmond. Lisa, Steve, Emily and Connor invited their friends to join them for a meal in support of CHF. Lisa even rescheduled CHF's board meeting so the board could enjoy the Tap Room's new menu together. American Tap Room presented CHF with a check for $1,300.
- MassMutual presented CHF with a check for $2,000 as the beneficiary of their "Pearls of Wisdom" seminar.
- Richmond Claims Association members in Richmond held a backpack supply drive. They collected bikes, games, toys, and stuffed animals, plus they raised over $800 in cash and gift cards!
- Top Notch Cheer & Gym asked all of their teams to collect donations and they delivered box upon box of wonderful gifts for our Heroes.
- The Hurtubise Family threw their annual Christmas party and collected tons of gifts and donations to spread some cheer for our families.
- The Accounting Department at McGuire Woods, for the third year in a row, adopted one of our families for Christmas, showering them with presents.
- Last, but not least, RVA's music scene showed their support. Punks 4 Presents is a showcase of RVA's best punk bands happening at venues over town. Last year Punks for Presents raised over $5,000 for CHF. This year they hope to double it!
If you'd like to organize a drive for CHF, call Erin at (804) 897-1272. Thanks for all the love, RVA!
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.
Familias del paciente en español
Información para familias de pacientes
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)
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