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1 Spring 2022Spring 2022 HopeNotes MagazineHopeNotes Magazine Meet HopeKidMeet HopeKid GordonGordon a symbol of hope how a crime fighting cave is providing hope for the future the sibling perspective through artwork2 Contents Volume 5, Issue 1 Spring 2022 Features 4 A Superhero Partnership 6 Hopeful Artwork 9 Cotton Patch Cafe 8 Program Partners 10 Get Involved 11 Connect With Us On the Cover Gordon is a 4-year-old heart condition hero. He loves anything to do with farming and is a huge fan of Christmas lights. His family joined HopeKids in September 2018. One of Gordon’s family’s favorite events was driving through the Christmas light show because they were able to spend time together as a family and enjoy from the safe environment of their own car. “HopeKids provided us a fun, safe family outing during a nearly two-year streak of quarantining to protect our heart warrior from not just COVID-19, but other illnesses during his weakened health states, as well. He has fought like crazy through so many pains and fears; we want him to have the chance to do normal activities that otherwise healthy children enjoy, too. HopeKids made that possible for us for one night.” - Cassie, Gordon’s mom3 4 A Superhero PartnershipA Superhero Partnership how a crime fighting cave is providing hope for the future 6 Hopeful ArtworkHopeful Artwork two HopeKids siblings win a contest for their art perspective Program PartnersProgram Partners creative events families have on their calendar 8Ang elit a read y to ride in the Batmobile a symbol of hopea symbol of hope how a crime fighting cave is providing hope for the futurehow a crime fighting cave is providing hope for the future55 Over the past twelve years, HopeKids’ partnership with the Colten Cowell Foundation has grown from serving Arizona families to providing a superhero experience to families across all HopeKids chapters. The Colten Cowell Foundation provides a one-of-a- kind experience in their fully outfitted Crime Fighting Cave to families with children who have a disability or life-threatening medical condition. Colten Cowell was the first child to ride in the Batmobile. That adventure provided so many lasting memories for him and his family that after Colten passed away from cancer, Charles Keller, Chairman and Founder, knew that he wanted to provide that experience to many other families. He teamed up with Colten’s mom Erika Cowell, Co-Founder and Executive Director, to build the Crime Fighting Cave that has since provided a once-in- a-lifetime superhero experience to over 650 families. With the Colten Cowell Foundation’s mission so closely aligning with HopeKids’, many HopeKids families patiently await their exclusive invitation to explore the Crime Fighting Cave, where they will see many of Mr. Wayne’s vehicles and inventions, experience an adventure through creative storytelling and even receive their very own functioning key to the Batmobile. While the Crime Fighting Cave is located in Arizona, virtual tours, born out of necessity during HopeKids was the first nonprofit to believe in the mission of the Colten Cowell Foundation. They saw what we were trying to accomplish and made connections to families that made it possible. As the years have passed and both organizations have grown, HopeKids is still our most valued partnership. We love working with all HopeKids chapters and wouldn’t be who we are without them! - Erika Cowell, Colten Cowell Foundation Co-Founder & Executive Director “ ” Brys on explorin g the gadgets in the cave Ang elit a read y to ride in the Batmobile the COVID-19 pandemic, provide the opportunity for HopeKids across all chapters to experience the magic of the cave. The partnership not only provides a highly anticipated event on the HopeKids calendar, but also, the Colten Cowell Foundation provides an opportunity for the nominated child to present a donation to HopeKids in the spirit of giving back. They’ve donated over $720,000 to HopeKids’ six chapters, and provided hundreds of HopeKids families with memories to last a lifetime. We’re so thankful for the Colten Cowell Foundation’s support and their partnership in contributing to our ongoing calendar of free events to families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition! Colt en’s ride in the Batmobile66 Kansas City displayed nearly 40 pieces of artwork created by HopeKids and their siblings at Chicken N Pickle Overland Park in late February. Artwork was auctioned to support HopeKids programming, and generous donors provided prizes for the top artists. The collection was full of beautiful artwork and the sentiments expressed by the artists were inspiring and hope-filled. Tatum and Audrey earned first and second place, respectively, for their expression of their perspective as siblings of someone with a life-threatening medical condition. Audrey E., Age 11, “Hope Com es in the Mo rni ng ” “Before my sister passed away, Charlotte used to have seizures and wake up in the middle of the night. She’d wake up laughing and playing and squealing, and think it was party time because her brain did crazy things! It was very hard on all of us, and we were often tired. In the morning, she would be happy and cheerful, regardless of what emergency she’d had overnight, and that would make me happy and cheerful. I chose a sunrise because that reminds me of the mornings when we would feel happy and play together, forgetting all about the long, hard night. I loved her so much.” - Audrey, Charlotte’s sister | Inspired by Psalm 30:5 Ta tum H., Ag e 14, “He arts Healed” “The picture is inspired by how I find hope with my brother. I can be at a low point and not have any hope, but spending time with him or just seeing him and how far he has come gives me hope for myself and others.” - Tatum, Jude’s sister • • • “When she showed me her painting, I burst into tears. I knew she created something special and I’m so glad she gets to share it. She’s a special kid and often gets put on the back burner because of all of Jude’s needs, so I thank you so much for giving her an opportunity to shine.” - Beth, Tatum and Jude’s mom artwork worth a thousand words7 Audrey E., Age 11, “Hope Com es in the Mo rni ng ” “Hearts Healed”888 SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS 501 events were provided by 163 different program partners in December, January and February. These generous people, companies and organizations help provide hope through an ongoing calendar of events. If you’re interested in becoming a program partner, please contact your local chapter. Take a look at the December, January and February HopeDay, HopeCommunity and Virtual Program Partners. Arizona Actor’s Youth Theatre Andrea’s Closet Anytime Auto Glass and Tint Arizona Coyotes Arizona State Sun Devils Women’s Basketball Ballet Arizona Billy’s Place Children’s Museum of Tucson Cindy Joiner Photography Colten Cowell Foundation Dance Connection 2 Desert Mission United Methodist Church Desert Stages Theatre Dream City Church East Valley Children’s Theatre Extreme Faith Productions Fat Cats Fiesta Bowl Charities Galaxy Theatres Game Day Memories Grand Canyon University K2 Adventures Foundation Lennon Equine Lowe’s Main Event Majestic Theaters Phoenix Zoo Reid Park Zoo RoadHouse Cinemas The Walter Hive Trader Joe’s Colorado Cherry Hills Community Church Church Ranch Event Center Colorado Mammoth Colten Cowell Foundation Denver Museum of Nature & Science Estes Park Mountain Shop Game Day Memories Halcyon Hotel Harmony Dance Icon Cinema Insperity Kendra Scott Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Legoland Let’s Roam Maestas Family National Western Stock Show PASCO Reel Mountain Theater Round Up River Ranch Saunders Construction The Marriage & Family Clinic Trout Haven Fishing Pond YMCA of the Rockies Kansas City Amazon Fulfillment Center American Theatre Guild B&B Theaters BHC Engineering Candy Coated Christmas Chicken N Pickle Chuy’s Mexican Food Colton Cowell Foundation Dave & Buster’s Donutology Feld Entertainment Folly Theater Hampton Inn & Suites Country Club Plaza Hope Outdoors Independence Community Ice Jai Dee Jolt Lighting Kansas City Zoo Kelly Floyd Kriss Kringle Level Up Gaming Main Event Merlin Entertainment Kansas City Midwest Trust Center RoKC Shoal Creek Community Church TARC, INC. Topgolf Middle tennessee Adventure Science Center Aquarium Restaurant Bach to Rock CBF Productions Colten Cowell Foundation Flour Power Nashville Game Terminal Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams MOVE Inclusive Dance Nashville Children’s Theatre Nashville Predators Foundation Tennessee Titans The Clausbornes The Crag Indoor Rock Climbing The Nashville Ballet TransPerfect Music City Bowl Vanderbilt Athletic Department WayFM Nashville9 Minnesota A Time To Inspire Buck Hill Colten Cowell Foundation Dan Brinkhaus Emagine Lakeville Emagine Rogers Emagine White Bear Game Day Memories GameWorks Gilda’s Club Twin Cities Gopher Sports Properties Jai Dee Jennifer Grauwels Mathew Dumba Mats Zuccarello Matt Muhlbauer Merlin’s Magic Wand Minnesota Children’s Museum Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx Minnesota Wild Minnesota Zoo Northrop Reggie Wright Rotary Club of Burnsville Sharing Christmas Shopping Spree Stages Theatre Company The Sowada Family Tradition Capital Bank Tradition Companies Tradition Development Tradition Mortgage Tradition Wealth Management University of Northwestern Theatre Wellbeats Wild Mountain Willow Lane Elementary Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery north texas AT&T Performing Arts Center Avant Chamber Ballet Colten Cowell Foundation Cotton Patch Cafe Dallas Children’s Theater Dallas Mavericks Foundation Dallas Stars Foundation, Inc. Dallas Zoo Denton Spiderman Gnome Cones Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and School Let’s Roam Main Event Minis and Friends North Texas Rise Adventures, Inc. Sweet and Sassy Sweet Tooth Hotel Switchlife Terri Savelle Foy Ministries Texans Credit Union The Cross Timbers Hope Center Topgolf Cotton Patch Cafe hope through connection What a true honor and privilege it is for us at Cotton Patch Cafe to continue our partnership with an organization that makes such a great impact on kids in our Watauga community and across the state of Texas. Community love, leadership, and being positive change agents in our communities are a few of the pillars and founding truths of our brand, and we are so proud to do it in a Made Texas True fashion with our HopeKids partners! -Mazen Albatarseh, CEO, Cotton Patch Cafe We are so grateful for the generosity and wonderful partnership with Cotton Patch Cafe! They began supporting HopeKids North Texas last year by investing in the HopeDay program. Since then, Cotton Patch Cafe has been hosting monthly dinners at their various locations around the DFW area to provide families with not just a free meal, but also an opportunity to connect on a deeper level together. Thank you for providing hope! “ ”Next >