D
Events -- In Memorium
The Newsletter of Hospice Dreams
reams Dreams Are Ageless
Quarterly Issue 6: March 2013
Inside this issue: | Robert “BT” Geggie’s Marine Hymn Dream, Lisa Coughlin’s Spa Day, Mary Wall meets Luke Bryan, Kenneth McNeil meets Josh Turner, Carolyn Bray gets serenaded by Elvis, Frank goes to a Chicago Blackhawks game. PLUS Charity Comedy Show recap!
Dreams are Ageless www.HospiceDreams.org
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Board of Directors
Letter from the Director
Rhonda Bouchard - Financial Chair of Hospice Dreams - Office Manager at STARCON INTL. - Citgo Refinery
We’ve had a busy first quarter – hard at work fundraising so we can continue to grant Dreams! The first fundraising event of the season was with the help of Choose to Shine, a nonprofit organization that holds exciting fundraising events for other nonprofits. We also launched a bowling fundraiser dubbed “Rolling for Dreams” at two different bowling alleys. We had a great turnout at both events where families were able to help raise money for Hospice Dreams by bowling. Our biggest fundraising event, by far, was the 2nd Annual Hospice Dreams Charity Comedy Show at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee. Featuring Ali Clayton (for a 2nd time), Calvin Evans, Lindsay Adams, and Kyle Scanlan, the event was a huge success. Of course, we couldn’t grant any Dreams without the financial support of our donors. Thank you to those of you who have helped us continue granting Dreams! Read more about all of these events inside. From our team to your family – have a wonderful, Dream-filled spring!
Mission Statement: Hospice Dreams is a non profit wish-granting organization dedicated to fulfilling unmet wishes, decreasing stress and improving
Small Charity of the Year
quality of life for adult hospice patients.
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Dreams are Ageless
Leesa Hayes - Member Services at Riverside Fitness Center Jerry Henke - Exxon Mobile Retiree Darci Lemner - HSA Administrator at Peoples Bank Steve Lemner- Surgical Tech at Riverside; Owner and instructor of Lemner’s Soo Bahk Do Marilyn Roy - Realtor; ABR, GRI at Speckman Realty INC/ Real Living
Hospice Dreams Team Kansas Swain Director
Kristen Kolwelter
Dream Development Manager
Kaitlyn Henderson
C. Cooper
Media Relations Specialist
Kamie Freeland Media Relations Specialist
Communications Manager
Office Manager
Stacy Barclay
Kristine Tague
Media Relations Specialist Editing: Kansas Swain Kaitlyn Henderson Kristen Kolwelter Art Direction: Kristine Tague Article Authors: Kristine Tague Kaitlyn Henderson Photography: Staff photographers supplied all photos in this newsletter unless otherwise specified.
Ricki Kravat
Creative Media Specialist
All photographs of Dreams are the property of Hospice Dreams and may not be reproduced without permission. Contact info@ hospicedreams.org for permission or questions. This issue of Dreams was made available to the public via Issuu.com
Mailing Address: 511 E. North Street Bradley, IL 60915
Toll-Free Phone: (888) 741-9132
Hospice Dreams is a registered 501(c)3 charity and your donations are tax-deductible.
Facebook.com/ HospiceDreams
HospiceDreams.org
Youtube.com/ HospiceDreams
Twitter: @HospiceDreams
Lisa’s Spa Day
More Dreams inside Robert “BT” Geggie Marine Hymn
Mary Wall meets Luke Bryan
Kenneth McNeil meets Josh Turner
Carolyn Bray serenaded by Elvis
Frank Allegretti Chicago Blackhawks Game
When you’re well, it’s easy to walk or drive to visit a local salon for something as simple as a haircut. But for Lisa, trips to the
Ways to Help
covered strawberries from Edible Arrangements of
The average Dream costs between $100 $500. You can help us grant more Dreams by donating directly on our website or by holding your own Dream Day Fundraiser. You can learn more on page 9 or visit our website to donate today!
Bourbonnais. It was a truly uplifting experience for Lisa
HospiceDreams.org
salon became few and far between. She missed visiting the salon, flipping through magazines and chatting with other women. With the help of Linda and Michelle at Studio 209 Salon and Spa in Wheaton, Hospice Dreams was able to give Lisa a makeover Dream day to remember! Lisa got a new hair cut and color, along with a manicure. Her visit to the salon was complemented by chocolate
and everyone involved.
Next Page: Mary Meets Luke Bryan, and Kenneth visits the Grand Ole Opry>
Letters & Comments Hi, I just wanted to inform you that Frank Allegretti passed away today (Mon). His trip to the Blackhawks game meant more than you could ever possibly know. He talked about the game for several weeks before hand and it was the only time in the last 5 months we were able to get him out of his house. He talked about his trip to the game up until he could not talk anymore. Please continue to provide dreams for people in hospice; it means the world to them. As a nurse caring for them on a regular basis, I can see first hand the impact it has on them and their loved ones. Keep up the wonderful work Beth Deopere, RN, Advocate Hospice
Facebook.com/HospiceDreams
Twitter.com/HospiceDreams
Youtube.com/HospiceDreams
Do you have extra tickets to a concert, maybe you’re a season ticketholder to a sports team and you know there are some days you can’t go? Consider donating them to Hospice Dreams! We are always looking for tickets and giftcards. Please see pg. 9 for more info! Dreams are Ageless
Mary meets Luke Bryan Mary Wall, of Mattoon, watches Country Music Television every single day. Her favorite performer is “that young, cute singer” Luke Bryan. Hospice Dreams arranged for Mary to attend a meet & greet with Luke at his recent concert in Bloomington, IL. Mary was very excited to meet Luke, letting him know that he was handsome and that she loved him. After a few photos and more hugs, Mary got to watch the concert. Her favorite song, “Kiss Tomorrow Good-bye” was the first song that Luke played. On the way home, Mary said, “I had a nice time. Luke is cuter in person than on TV!”
Kenneth meets Josh Turner at the Grand Ole Opry
Hospice Dreams recently took country music fan Kenneth McNeil on the trip of a lifetime to the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, TN. Kenneth, from El Dorado, IL, got a personal backstage tour of the Opry where he saw a lot of the performers and the historic memorabilia on display. Kenneth even got to chit-chat with Josh Turner, who posed for some photos and gave him a signed poster. After the backstage tour finished, Kenneth got a special chance to go out on the Grand Ole Opry stage before sitting down to hear the concert.
Dreams are Ageless
Up Next: “BT” Marine Hymn, 5 Carolyn’s Elvis Dream >
Sponsor Highlight Cheryl Herberger is the owner of Ba Da Bloom Flower Shoppe in Bourbonnais, IL. We are grateful for her sponsorship of the centerpeices at our 2nd Annual Hospice Dreams Charity Comedy show. “We are very, very blessed and if we can help raise money to help someone’s wishes come true, then that’s what we want to do....it’s the right thing to do.” “It was a fantastic time at the Comedy Show, it was a great turnout. We love what you guys do!” Ba Da Bloom Flower Shoppe can be reached at: (815) 614-3415
Contest Winner
An interview with the winner of our big raffle Why did you choose to support our fundraiser? Hospice Dreams is an amazing organization. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t been affected by losing a loved one. When I think about an end of life wish, I think everyone deserves it. We have a lifetime to fulfill our Dreams, and it’s very important to help people who don’t have a lot of time left to fulfill their unmet wishes.
Krissy Darr-Noel, winner of the raffle for the trip to Orlando.
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How was your experience at the comedy show? It was fun from beginning to end. The comedians were hilarious and we were surrounded by a lot of fun people! You guys did an amazing job putting this event together. I can’t wait for next year!
Dreams are Ageless
In memory of these Special Dreamers
Craig Markley Madonna concert
John ‘Jack’ Houston Signed Cubs hat
Frank Allegretti Chicago Blackhawks Game
Eunice Grimes Shedd Aqarium Visit
Shirley Stalker Las Vegas
Joseph Goodrich War memorial & Lincoln Museum visit
Mary Ann Doll Spa day
Thank you for your donations. Resolution to Giving
Dine to Donate
Rolling for Dreams
by Choose to Shine
Chipotle in Schaumburg
Strike Ten Lanes & Lounge in Roselle
at Kirkwood’s Bar in Chicago
Lonestar in Bourbonnais
Victory Lanes in Kankakee
McAlister’s Deli in Fairview Heights
We would like to thank sponsors from our Charity Comedy Show: Andaul Jewelers
Fieldstone Credit Union
People’s Bank
Ba Da Bloom Flower Shoppe
Knights of Columbus
Riverside Health Fitness Center
Country Chevrolet
Millennium Technical Services
Slim’s Pourhouse
Country Table
Milner Broadcasting WVLI 92.7 WFAV 95.1 WIVR 101.7
Robert “BT” Geggie
Carolyn Bray’s Elvis Dream
Caroline Bray wanted to hear her favorite performer once again. Caroline dressed up and made sure her hair was Former Marine Robert “BT” Geggie often wished to hear th Marine Marching Band play outside his window. Hospice Dreams stepped up to the task and took “BT” to Scott Air Force Base to hear the U.S. Air Force Band of MidAmerica perform. After the concert, the band presented BT with an Air Force Marching Band hat and several CDs. He was escorted to a private conference room where he regaled the Air Force men and women with stories about his life. See video from BT’s Dream here
done for her big day meeting Elvis. “Elvis”, as impersonated by Steve Brandes, would have made the real Elvis proud! A talented singer and performer, “Elvis” went above-andbeyond for Caroline. He performed and sang many of Elvis’s hits, and in a nod to his hit song, “Teddy Bear,” gave Caroline a toy bear. He also made the day extra special
by
delivering
an autographed photo and a pink scarf. He took breaks in between songs to give her a kiss on the cheek and a hug. All smiles while clapping to the beat, Caroline was in heaven and was beaming from ear to ear by the end of this perfect day.
Ways to Help
Hospice Dreams
Hospice Dreams is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and relies on the generous donations of individuals and sponsors to fund and fulfill Dreams. Here are a few ways you can help Hospice Dreams:
Airline miles
Donate $25 or more on our website for a virtual quilt patch to commemorate your loved one Attend Hospice Dreams fundraisers Become a corporate sponsor Create an annual/planned giving plan In-kind donor Become a Member
Do you have extra event tickets? Post them on tix4cause.com and the proceeds benefit Hospice Dreams. Find tickets to the hottest shows or games and your purchase can benefit Hospice Dreams! Looking for a free and easy way to support Hospice Dreams? Surf the web, shop online, or dine out using GoodSearch.com and its affiliate sites to help raise much-needed funds for Hospice Dreams.
Jeans for Dreams Looking for a fun way at work to help Hospice Dreams? Contact our office to schedule a jeans day at your business. Call (888) 741-9132
Dreams are Ageless
WISH LIST
Car rental gift
cards/points
Limo/van/luxury
transportation
Hotel Chain gift
cards/points
Sporting Events
Any sport, any town! Illinois Missouri Wisconsin Indiana
Gift Cards National
restaurant chains
Walgreens Gas station chains Grocery store
chains
Party supply stores Visa or Mastercard Department Stores Next Page: Frank’s Chicago Blackhawks Dream >
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Frank Goes to the Hawks Game
Frank Allegretti, a born-and-raised Chicagoan and life-long Chicago Blackhawks fan, went to any game he could get to. He loved going to the “Madhouse on Madison�, experiencing the action of a live Hawks game and spending time with his family and friends. Hospice Dreams was able to take Frank and his family to one last game.
Fundraiser Recaps
The 2nd annual Hospice Dreams Charity Comedy show was a huge success! The crowds packed the Knights of Columbus hall in downtown Kankakee, IL. Ali Clayton, Calvin Evans, Lindsay Adams, and Kyle Scanlan were really funny, keeping the audience laughing all night. Both of our 50/50 raffle winners, Blake and Patrick, were extremely generous that evening and donated back their winnings to Hospice Dreams. Our big raffle winner was Krissy Darr-Noel, who’s excited to take her kids to Orlando. The biggest winner of the night will be all the hospice patients whose Dreams will be fulfilled thanks to all the funds that the comedy show brought in. We are grateful to everyone who participated in, sponsored, or attended the comedy show! Thank you!
Special thanks to the comedians: Ali Clayton, Calvin Evans, Lindsay Adams, and Kyle Scanlan
Resolution for Giving Hospice Dreams was one of three participating charities benefitting from this event held at Kirkwood’s Bar in Chicago by Choose to Shine. Resolution to Giving helped us raise more than $1000 and will help fund a few upcoming Dreams!
About Choose to Shine They are a nonprofit organization that provides a forum for people to support various charities. Find out more at ChoosetoShine.org Rolling for Dreams Rolling for Dreams is a bowling fundraiser that helps Hospice Dreams. We held our first Rolling for Dreams event at Victory Lanes in Bradley right before Valentine’s Day, and the second one at Strike Ten Lanes and Lounge in Roselle on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
In the News
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Dreams are Ageless
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Hospice Dreams 511 E. North Street Bradley, IL 60915 Toll Free: (888) 741-9132
www.HospiceDreams.org Copyright 2013 Hospice Dreams.