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1 Summer 2023Summer 2023 HopeNotes MagazineHopeNotes Magazine Meet Alya’sMeet Alya’s FamilyFamily get involved with HopeKids North Carolina hope unleashed a partnership providing families with so much more than an afternoon go-karting and bouncing on trampolines2 Contents Volume 6, Issue 2 Summer 2023 Features 3 HopeKids North Carolina 4 Hope Unleashed 6 Program Partners 8 Get Involved On the Cover “HopeKids has given our family the gift of fun- filled happy memories to cherish. Even though Alya’s time with us may be temporary, the joyful memories and experiences we have made through HopeKids are everlasting. Each event brings a different experience that Alya may otherwise not have been able to experience. She absolutely loves the Dallas Children’s Theater events. I don’t think I would have been comfortable taking her if other HopeKids had also not been there. She sometimes has seizures and can be pretty verbal when she gets excited. We have felt welcome at all the events. We have also been able to create memories as a family because siblings can also attend. They have grown closer to her as they see that, even though her medical care may take up so much time from the family, they wouldn’t be able to have these other experiences if it wasn’t for their special sister.” - Mariam, Alya’s mom3 North Carolina get involved If you know a family who has a child with a life-threatening medical condition in the Charlotte area, encourage them to apply at HopeKids.org/Become-A-HopeKid. We’ll also be looking for volunteers in the next couple of months, so please help us spread the word that HopeKids is in North Carolina! Each time we launch a new chapter, we are so thankful for the connections HopeKids supporters have shared with us to start HopeKids programming in a new region. If you have connections with businesses in the Charlotte area who might be interested in learning more about partnering with us to provide financial support and/or events, please reach out to Amanda Austin, North Carolina Executive Director. amanda@hopekids.org or 704.793.86984 It all started last year when Bridget Asheim, Executive Director of HopeKids North Texas, was introduced to Melissa Browning, co- founder of Unleashed Brands. They instantly connected over the mission of HopeKids. Fast forward to this year, and Melissa is now a North Texas state board member and has facilitated a growing partnership between HopeKids and Unleashed Brands. Not only are they hosting events at Urban Air (one of their brands) in Texas, but they also hosted the first Urban Air event in Minnesota with the goal of expanding the partnership to more chapters. Unleashed Brands donated everything: food, drink, bounce time, and even photography. They closed the doors to the public and allowed HopeKids families an opportunity to enjoy a day of fun at no cost! For many of these families, being able to experience a day like this is usually out of the question. But thanks to Unleashed Brands and HopeKids, “ hope unleashed they can spend quality time together, making new friends and lasting memories. We are so grateful for the growing partnership with Unleashed Brands. At HopeKids, it’s about providing hope to families while also seeing “We had so many favorite parts at Urban Air Adventure Park, but as (HopeKid) Jonathan’s mother, my favorite part was seeing my son doing the different rock-climbing walls. For my son who struggled with strength and coordination in his arms and legs, I could see all his hard work in physical therapy has paid off. That was a huge milestone to see. Jonathan was able to participate with everything; he was ready to try everything. He ran from one station to another, I was not able to rest for a second, but I would not have it any other way. We always look forward to seeing this event on the calendar, cause as Jonathan would say, it was the best day ever!” -The Guia Family ”5 our event partners, donors, and volunteers become transformed by their generosity. Take a minute to read the interview with Melissa Browning to see what partnering with HopeKids has meant to her! We encourage you to think about what your gifts are, what you have access to, what you are passionate about, and then find a way to bring those together! If you are interested in using your resources to bring hope to families in our community, please reach out to your local chapter staff. We can’t wait to partner with you! Interview with Melissa Browning, co-founder of Unleashed Brands and HopeKids North Texas board member What drew you to partnering with HopeKids? My best friend had a child who was diagnosed with leukemia two months after he was born. I watched her walk through the most difficult thing a parent should never have to go through. Having a solid support system through their darkest time in the journey was the only thing that got them through. HopeKids is a support system for the parents as well as the kids. I love being a part of something that brings hope to those who need it most. What is one of your favorite moments from an event you’ve done with HopeKids? Seeing a child with cerebral palsy get on a trampoline and experience true joy is something that will bring a tearful smile to my face every time! When we created Urban Air, that was not something that we really thought about in the process, but now that we have the ability to host events with HopeKids I know that it was always supposed to be a part of it. What would you say to someone considering supporting or partnering with HopeKids? For someone considering partnering with HopeKids, all I can say is you will never regret bringing hope to those who need it most. It is an honor to know that something we made can put a smile on the face of a child who deserves it more than any! Meli ssa and Bridget “Urban Air is one of our favorite events. We love the welcoming, family-friendly environment. It gives kids of all abilities the opportunity to participate without judgment since it’s only HopeKids families. As a parent, I have also made connections with other families while our kids are playing in a safe environment. The staff has always been friendly, accommodating, and welcoming. Thank you, Urban Air and HopeKids, for making these fun- filled events a possibility for us and especially our HopeKids!” - The Rasul Family “ ”6 Virtual Beeyonder Brice Harney DistrActors Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants Jai Dee Wellness Misty Rose Gold Northrop This Naked Mind Victory is Ahead Arizona Actors Youth Theatre Allied Global Marketing Ballet Etudes Brittany Johnson Butterfly Wonderland Canyon State Academy Children’s Museum of Phoenix Christian Youth Theatre Colten Cowell Foundation Commercial Plus Desert Diamond Arena Desert Stages Theatre eeCPA Flying E Ranch Frost Communications Galaxy Theatres Game Day Memories General Mills Goldfish Swim School Ice Den Scottsdale Jolyn Andrews K2 Adventures Lana Bull Lennon Equine 655 events were provided by 227 different program partners in March, April and May. These generous people, companies and organizations helped 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 March, April and May HopeDay, HopeCommunity and Virtual Program Partners. Main Event Maricopa County Fair Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Mesa Community College Theatre and Film Arts Musical Theatre of Anthem Notre Dame Prepatory Acadamy Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parada Del Sol Patriot Productions Phoenix Suns Charity Phoenix Zoo Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel Roadhouse Cinemas Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Steve’s Dream Tad Davis The Encore Agency The Studio Academy of Beauty The Walter Hive Tucson Speedway Uplifting Athletes Valley Youth Theatre Colorado ACT Colorado CH9 Racing Colorado Parks & Wildlife Colorado Rockies Colorado Symphony Colten Cowell Foundation Cottrell Printing Denver Botanic Gardens Denver Museum of Nature & Science Discovery Christian Church Feld Entertainment Game Day Memories Grace Mountain Church Halcyon Jurassic Quest Holdings, LLC Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Martin Technical Mici Handcrafted Italian Mrachek Middle School Honors Society Mustang Mountain Coaster Newmark Merrill Q BBQ Fest Quality Inn Estes Park Red Silo Coffee Roasters Reptilian Nation Ridgeline Hotel Estes Park Team Impact YMCA of the Rockies Kansas City Andy’s Frozen Custard BHC Engineering Chicken N Pickle Chuy’s on the Plaza Colleen Ring Photography Colton Cowell Foundation Dave & Buster’s Donutology Goldfish Swim School Independence Community Ice Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center Kansas City Automotive Museum Kansas City Repertory Theatre Kansas City Royals KC Comets KC Current Lakeside Nature Center Main Event Merlin’s Magic Wand Midwest Trust Center Special thanks to our Program Partners7 655 events were provided by 227 different program partners in March, April and May. These generous people, companies and organizations helped 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 March, April and May HopeDay, HopeCommunity and Virtual Program Partners. Miller Theatre Paws & Pals Planet Comicon KC RoKC Sporting KC Starlight Theatre The Museum at Prairiefire The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Topgolf Wonderscope Children’s Museum Middle Tennessee Baby Cakes Nashville Colten Cowell Foundation Comfort Connections Donut Distillery Feld Entertainment Flour Power Nashville Game Terminal Headbands of Hope Jurassic Quest Keeli Faith Photography Life’s Big Adventures Little Art House Nashville Ballet Nashville Predators Foundation Scott Hamilton Skating Academy Small World Yoga Tennessee Performing Arts Center The Getalong Thrivent Topgolf United Special Sportsman Alliance Minnesota A Sister Collaborative Allianz Life Amanda Moe Berean Baptist Church Bill and Donna Pfeiffer Buck Hill Colten Cowell Foundation Emagine Eagan Emagine Rogers Emagine White Bear Game Day Memories Gilda’s Club Twin Cities Julie Vavruska Ken & Katie Wilmer Mathew Dumba Mats Zuccarello Mayo Civic Center Merlin’s Magic Wand MiniSota Play Cafe Minnesota Children’s Museum Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx Minnesota Timberwolves Fastbreak Foundation Minnesota Twins Community Fund Minnesota Wild Northrop St. Croix Ballet St. Paul Osman Shrine Circus Stages Theatre Company Tickets for Kids Tradition Wealth Management University of Northwestern Theatre Uplifting Athletes Westwood Community Church Winnesota Regional Transport Ziggy’s Art Bus North Carolina Big Air Billy Graham Library Bolero Carowinds Charlotte Ballet Charlotte Football Club Charlotte Knights Charlotte Library Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Rec Charlotte Museum of Science Discovery Place Extreme Ice Fifth Third Bank Hornets Illusions Museum Kannapolis Cannonballers Kate Skates Lazy 5 Ranch Mission Charlotte Laser Tag Small Hands Big Art Topgolf Union County Public Library North Texas Alamo Drafthouse Andrew & Sarah McReynolds AT&T Performing Arts Center Back a Bit Farm Bank Of America Brian Jahrsdoerfer Brooke Bellomy White Bryan Raney Buff City Soap Central High School Chicken N Pickle Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park Colton Cowell Foundation Cotton Patch Cafe Dallas Children’s Theater Dallas Legion Dallas Mavericks Foundation Dallas Stars Foundation, Inc. Denton Diablos Elisa Marchetti Gloria Ortiz Helping on Horseback Jake Oettinger JMEG, LP Let’s Roam Linnybird Bakeshop Melanie Stull Mellowtreats Merlin’s Magic Wand Nasher Sculpture Center Paws For Reflection Ranch Reema Lamba RISE Adventures, Inc. Royally Fun Parties SwitchLife Texas Rangers The Leaders Institute Topgolf Up Up Balloons Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park Venture Church8 GET INVOLVED Interested in sharing your time as a volunteer? Are you a dedicated prayer warrior? Complete a volunteer application or join our prayer warriors team at www.HopeKids.org/get-involved GI VE Facebook Fundraisers Looking for a new way to get involved? Host a Facebook Fundraiser! Whether you choose to ask for donations for your birthday or just want to share your passion for HopeKids with 500 of your closest friends, you can create a fundraiser in less than five minutes. The funds you raise provide hope through an ongoing calendar of free events to families in your local chapter! To create a fundraiser visit www.facebook.com/fund/hopekidsinc Provide hope every day of the year. For $30/month you can help provide a HopeKids family with an unlimited calendar of free events for an entire year. Join our Hope365 monthly giving program at www.HopeKids.org/Hope365. Have a company suite, tickets, food or other items to support our HopeDay and HopeCommunity programs? Contact the Executive Director for your local chapter listed on the next page. Employer Matching Gifts Many companies offer programs to match charitable contributions made by their employees. Through corporate gift matching, your employer can multiply your gift to HopeKids, giving it an even greater impact. Consider asking if your employer offers this program. United Way/Employee Giving Campaigns Does your company participate in United Way’s annual campaign or host its own employee giving campaign? Please consider arranging for a HopeKids representative to speak during the campaign cycle. Your coworkers can help provide hope to our families by designating their pledge to support HopeKids. (HopeKids, Inc. EIN: 86-1042378) Donor-Advised Funds You can recommend a gift to HopeKids through your donor-advised fund and support the chapter of your choice! For more details on what information to provide your sponsoring organization, visit hopekids.org/other-ways-to-give today. Legacy Giving Legacy Giving, such as a bequest in your will or life insurance designation, allows you to make a powerful impact for years to come on families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. Learn more about leaving a legacy of hope by visiting hopekids.org/legacy-giving today. Donate online at www.hopekids.org9 Connect with us LOC AL CHAP TER S National PO Box 240721 • Apple Valley, MN 55124 josh@hopekids.org 612.345.0933 Arizona PO Box 28471 • Scottsdale, AZ 85255 andrea@hopekids.org 602.317.1511 Colorado PO Box 7073 • Denver, CO 80207 robbin@hopekids.org 303.887.5949 Kansas City PO Box 11947 • Kansas City, MO 64138 kristin@hopekids.org 816.372.0311 Middle Tennessee PO Box 210961 • Nashville, TN 37221 deb@hopekids.org 615.430.9190 Minnesota PO Box 44712 • Eden Prairie, MN 55344 brian@hopekids.org 952.270.8271 North Carolina PO Box 79282 • Charlotte, NC 28271 amanda@hopekids.org 704.793.8698 North Texas PO Box 1628 • Keller, TX 76244 bridget@hopekids.org 817.739.8123 SOCIAL MEDIA @HopeKidsInc EVENTS Join us for one (or all) of our fundraising events! Purchase tickets or become a sponsor at www.HopeKids.org/special-events SUBSCRIBE Receive this quarterly magazine and updates on the impact you have on HopeKids at www.HopeKids.org/subscribe10 HOPE IS A POWERFUL MEDICINE.Next >