Archive for month: December, 2014

Today I just wanted to share a quick greeting and quote with you. Cassie Gerhardt and her family have been part of Sunshine Fest in the past. They are Team Super Jack! She recently shared this with me and I thought it was very appropriate for this season.
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“Participating in Sunshine Fest was an easy choice for our family as it was something we could do as a family and it was a way for our sons to be involved in working to make Sunshine Hospitality Home a reality.  When we make monetary donations, our sons aren’t engaged in the activity, but Sunshine Fest allowed them the opportunity to participate and  to learn as we stopped by resource tables in our laps around The Ralph.  We had a great morning of ‘family fun’ during the 2014 Sunshine Fest and have the 2015 Sunshine Fest marked on our calendars… we will definitely be there!”

I wish you all a very happy holiday season and warmest wishes for good health, good humor and sunshine in the New Year!

Until then,

Stacy Signature for blog

Party time

This time of year seems filled with parties, gatherings, food and fun. Each year my family’s December calendar is packed with places to be, things to do and people to see. Then, it inevitably seems, we turn the page to January, winter really settles in and life slows down, if only a little bit.

The Sunshine Fest committees are going strong and their work will not slow down in January. As the calendar turns to 2015 you’re going to start seeing advertisements and more information on the 5th annual event. You may hear more about the event at work or through friends and your team will start coming together. Plus, I’m sure you’ll be missing all the parties, yummy food and friends around you. So……

I’d like to offer a suggestion to all of you planning those teams for Sunshine Fest 2015.

  1. Set aside a time and place for your team to gather.
  2. Figure out what your team theme/costume will be.
  3. Send out a supply list and have members come prepared to decorate, craft or tutu the night away.
  4. Laugh, craft, eat and share stories.
  5. Leave the party ready to vie for a fabulous trophy at Sunshine Fest on February 7, 2015!

A dear friend hosted a similar gathering that I was part of a few years ago as we geared up for the Color Run. That particular race is all about fun, color and laughs (sounds similar to this one)! So we met up with yards of colorful tulle and elastic and made ourselves coordinating tutus and a few signs for our “fans” to hold along the race. Trust me when I tell you it was fun for everyone, starting with the sweetest 1 year old who thought we were all crazy! My daughters were 5 and 8 at the time and they had a blast as well.

The ideas and the possibilities are endless. So have fun with it! Here are a few pictures from last year’s event to inspire you.

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We’re all very busy now but in January we’ll be looking for lots of Sunshine!

Until then,

Stacy Signature for blog

 

 

 

 

It takes a team

Well, another blog post is upon us. Each week I look through the photos from last year’s event. I find it inspiring to see all the smiles, fun outfits and the participants of all ages. Some pictures show small groups of people or individuals who joined the action. Some pictures show big groups with something in common.

I’ve looked at many of these large groups and wondered many things. What brought them together? Why did they choose to participate in this particular event? How did they decide on their outfits? Were they trying to win an award?

One of the many groups that joined the fun last year was a group of coworkers from Altru’s Same Day Surgery department. Obviously, they work together so that answers that one. They chose to participate for several reasons I’m sure but I heard this from a few of their team members.

 

2014 Altru Same Day Surgery

 

“Our department at Altru, Same Day Surgery, all participated.What a fun way to raise money to benefit our community” – Mavis

“What an amazing event! It was great to be part of such an energetic and fun event with such a worthwhile cause. ” – Michelle

I’m not sure how they chose their outfits but anything that incorporates sunshine is encouraged. What more could you ask for? Bright, sunshiny-yellow tshirts. Fun sunshine glasses. Smiling faces and lots of laughter I’m sure! I love the above picture but I like this one that was just recently sent to me as well.

Same Day surgery team for blog

The Same Day Surgery team was awarded the trophy for the team that embodies the greatest amount of Sunshine. They’ve proudly kept it safe and secure for nearly a year now. I bet they’re already thinking of ideas for the upcoming Sunshine Fest!

We’ve talked a little about registration before. As part of the online registration process you can add your “team name”. I think you should do that! Start a conversation with your friends. Chat with family while you’re celebrating the upcoming holidays. Talk with your coworkers. All you need is a group of any size! It could be your family of four or team of 20 colleagues.

I’ll do my part to get you started…click here…and head on over to the registration page. It’s going to be lots and lots of fun for a wonderful cause. Get going and get ready to share your sunshine in February!

Until next time,

Stacy Signature for blog

Time to register!

It’s December and you know what that means….time to register for Sunshine Fest of course! Ok, ok so that may not be the first thing that comes to mind as the calendar turns to December. However, the busy-bees at Sunshine Fest have been hard at work getting a great registration system in place. Those who have participated before will notice some changes. You can register as an individual or you have the option of adding a team name to your registration information. Remember…the more the merrier at this event!

Brittany Dvorak (pictured on left below) is spearheading registration at the 2015 event. She’s a veteran volunteer and will be ensuring things go as smoothly as possible the morning of February 7th.

DSC_0028“I joined Sunshine Memorial Foundation and their walk because I love the ideas and goals they have to help make a difference in individuals lives! With having endured cancer treatment and all side effects that come with that, I have a true connection for the changes in life a patient has to adjust too. Realizing how many things I took for granted in life before beating cancer really opened my eyes on every aspect of life. There is no way I can thank everyone that was with me on my journey so I want to turn around and give back as much as I can. Sunshine Memorial Foundation was a great opportunity to do just that. I love the idea of Grand Forks having a hospitality home as such a house helped my family tremendously during my journey. The hospitality house for me was the place of good memories and the hospital was the place of bad memories.”

Now your assignment is to start recruiting your team and head over to Sunshine Memorial Foundation’s homepage to register. Click here!

Until next time,

Stacy Signature for blog

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