If you aren't sure if you are coming to this event, change your mind. You do NOT want to miss this years, Shane's Walk! We have had such an overflow of support from our community and are amazed at how well everything is coming together. There is so much happening in this event, that we are not sure if we can fit it all in!
I want to take a moment to thank our committee volunteers that have uprooted their daily schedules to make this event 'one from the heart'. The love and consideration that is coming from this group is just heartwarming and I know that you all will feel their love and efforts every moment!
Also, thank you to Central Oregon for being such a great support of your community. While we wish that cancer did not exist, it does, and we are so grateful to live in a community that is able to acknowledge it AND step up to it and help us fight!
See you there!!!
Here we go, everyone! As I go through the preparations for this year's Shane's Walk, I am blown away by all the generosity that lies in our community. The opening meeting brought new and fresh ideas for the new year, along with agreements to keep what we so loved about our first year. There were some laughs about the rain that jumped in on our day, and how even though it poured down, everyone remained positive and motivated! There were some tears as we remembered Shane and how his journey has changed all our lives. The best part is that we reconnected our family. At one point, I leaned back in my chair as everyone talked and just sat there in awe, how some of these families who hadn't seen eachother for quite a while, just picked up right where they left off. "Amazing." I thought. "It's just absolutely amazing."
This event is more than just another way to get the word out. This is where people from all over the nation can come together for one cause... childhood cancer, one passion... our children, and one goal... a cure. Where hearts are made one with a hug, a laugh or sometimes even just a nod of the head. It's a time to celebrate those who have survived, remember those who have gone before us, and pave a road for those to come.
We chose a walk to symbolize movement... action... doing something about this beast we call cancer. We chose to incorporate a children's festival to remind us what a great and privileged thing it is to hear our children laugh and how precious they really are.
In the darkness of this beast, we urge you to light a candle. One smile... one extra beat of a little heart... the hugging of a teddy bear... fuel for a child's loving parent or grandparent to be there to comfort them in this horrible time. These are all things you are providing by supporting this event, supporting Candlelighters For Children With Cancer. No contribution is too small and no gift is unnoticed. Because of you, we can bring gifts, needs and families to these children. We can provide support groups, emergency assistance and friendship to our families who desperately need your help. We can provide siblings who wake up every morning just hoping to see their brother or sister get better, a little comfort in knowing there are others who know exactly how they feel.
We can't change what these families are going through, but we can change how they go through it. Not alone... NOT ... alone...
Won't you light a candle today?
Register, attend the event, support our organization... DO something. We love you and look forward to every part of planning this event! Come! Join us in this fight!
Lighting Candles, One By One,
Angie
Angie Jeppsen
Central Oregon Chair
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer
541-233-8213
2660 NE 9th Street
Redmond, Oregon 97756
So, Shane's Walk was a blast! I will be posting pictures, by Anna Stone, of the event all our amazing supporters who stuck out the rainy day with us like the sun was shining bright! I can't even tell you, how moving it was to see all the walkers and vendors, bright smiles and all, there to support our families!
There is such a fine line between family and friends and I can honestly say, I no longer know where that line is. We have so many wonderful people who have joined our family on a whole new level. It is proof that no matter where you are, no matter who you know, there are people who care, and aren't afraid to show it!
For those who missed it... I'm so sorry :( I can't wait to share this event with you, in hopes that you too will join us next year and experience such compassion and unconditional kindness.
For those of you who attended this event, supported us, shared your story with us, loved on us, donated to us, encouraged us, fed us, brought fun and games to us, laughed and cried with us... Thank You! This is the most memorable event for me and we can not thank you enough for joining us in the fight for a cure for Childhood Cancer helping us raise Awareness!
Thank you for bringing light into the darkness of Childhood Cancer!
Angie
We have had a revelation everyone! The phone has been ringing like crazy and people are coming out of the woodworks as we speak! This is so exciting! We have some awesome raffles coming in and the entertainment is looking pretty amazing itself. We have surprises and oodles of fun stuff for the kids. This is an event we will gladly skin our knuckles for every year!!! Okay, so actually all the skin is still there, but we are working really hard to bring you a great event!
The community is coming together and we are so happy to see it! Central Oregon, we love you! :)
If you have been directly affected by Childhood Cancer, contact us so we can honor you at our honor lap!
If you want to volunteer, there is still a need!
Booth ideas... put up a game for the kids to do at your booth!
More later!
Angie
Things are looking pretty good for the event so far. We still need more booths and more entertainment for the festival but the community is really responsive to our flyers. We are hoping for a good turnout from the community and are excited to raise awareness all through central Oregon!
The great part is in communicating with the community, we have heard many stories of how our locals have been affected by childhood cancer and how most of them don't even realize there are ways for them to get involved specifically with childhood cancer related activities. Already the awareness is growing!
Candlelighters for Children with Cancer is a great way for people to get involved. This walk is just one of the ways we can come together to fight for our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers as they fight for the lives of their beautiful children.
Sometimes I think we loose sight of the fact that we are all just as likely to be facing this tragedy as anyone else. I remember saying "I'm so glad I am not facing that" and "I could never make it..." after watching a fundraiser for a children's hospital. Next thing I know, we are facing it up front and personal with our daughters diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
This is personal for us because we were faced with it. We are hoping that others will take it personally before they are faced with it. Reaching out to their community and loved ones like they would hope to be reached out to if they were in that situation. Overall, I think that is what we are going to see, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many absolutely amazing people!!!
Let's do this together!
One Candle at a Time!
Angie
Figured out the photos! Now we're cruising! Check out the story about Shane and come back in the next day or so to be able to pay for registrations and booths online! You can send me a message to receive a registration form now. Why wait? :)
While I have to be honest in saying that this is all completely new to me, (fundraiser/walk/festival) our focus and passion for this walk still holds strong. I am very nervous about a few glitches in the website that I am desperately trying to learn enough about to fix. :) I published it, so you all could enjoy my moving everything around. Please, feel free to laugh, I sure am! Also, I am struggling getting the upload photo link to work... so... all suggestions welcome!
Our small committee and handful of volunteers are working so hard to bring this all together in a timely manner so that we are not all running with our heads spinning in circles on the day of the event! We could really use more bodies for this event. Go to the 'Get Involved' page to volunteer! We need you!
It has been so wonderful speaking with people who have been affected by childhood cancer and are willing to help us bring more awareness to it!
I will try to update the blog as often as I get new information. At this moment, we have several types of entertainment set up, a few raffle items donated, lots of companies interested in holding booths and great games for the kids to play at the festival. It is going to be a grand event and I am so glad that this event is finally possible for us. It is fantastic how the community is pulling together to support our local families, and meanwhile, this event is helping our community. It is all so exciting!
Thank you so much to all that are getting involved! It may not seem like a huge contribution, but it really is! Every child that receives a toy, meal, hospital visit... Every family that is able to attend an event, receive a gas card, or get help paying their bills... You helped them by helping us! Thank you for your HUGE contribution. We could not serve our families without you!
Lighting Candles One by One,
Angie
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