Well…its Thanksgiving week. At my house, we’re busy making plans to see family and eat our favorite dishes. This time of year reminds me to think of all the blessings in my life. While I’m so fortunate in many ways, the opportunity to volunteer has always provided special blessings to me. This sentiment seems to be shared by so many Sunshine Fest committee members. Ann-Marie Morrow is a Recruitment Leader. She shared this with me.

“I became involved in Sunshine Fest when my friends Van and Dee Larson encouraged me to volunteer back in 2010.  Back then there were just a handful of us sitting around a table sharing ways to honor the memory of their daughter, Shannon.  The first Sunshine Fest was a success and we were off and running, literally…brrr!  I feel so fortunate to be able to continue working with such a wonderful group of volunteers and I’m proud to participate and share in the Larson’s vision to build a hospitality home that will help so many in our local and surrounding communities. “

This year you can quickly and easily sign-up to volunteer at the 5th Annual Sunshine Fest on February 7, 2015. Follow this link to the online volunteer registration. There are several different options to choose from. The many pictures I’ve seen from previous years’ events include lots of smiles. So I have a feeling your face will include a smile too!

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with family, friends, great food, wonderful memories and, of course, sunshine!

Until next time,

When the idea for this event first came about, it was December 2010 and Shannon’s birthday was coming up. Her family wanted to remember and celebrate her, so they decided to pull together an event. They had about five weeks to make it happen.

Now as we head into the 5th annual event the planning takes a few months instead of weeks. The planning process has also grown to involve five committees.

The Marketing & Media committee is putting together all the advertising and media. You’ll be seeing much of their work early in 2015. Don Anderson is the Marketing & Media Team Leader. He shared this about his involvement in Sunshine Fest.

“I have had the opportunity to work with the Sunshine Fest Media and Marketing team now for three years. My first introduction to the Sunshine project was when Van Larson invited Ellen and I to a meeting for the Sunshine Fest/home. From that meeting I began to realize the importance of such a facility and what it would mean to so many families both in and outside our community. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I’ve met so many wonderful and enthusiastic people, who are so willing to volunteer their time, and talents to help make Sunshine Fest and the future Hospitality Home a reality. Each year I see more and more people becoming involved in the many facets of Sunshine Fest and fundraising projects as we all work on building the blessing this home will bring to so many. I want to thank everyone for their past support and participation in Sunshine Fest and hope to see you on February 7th for the 5th annual Sunshine Fest at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Together we can make this event bigger and better than ever.” 

Talking with business partners in our community is the Sponsorship Committee. Many businesses will be supporting the event with in-kind donations or funds. Some of these businesses will also be present at the health & wellness fair. If your business would like to be involved please contact Joellen Cariveau at jcariveau@altru.org.

There’s a group working on Raffles & Prizes and I look forward to seeing what they are putting together. Raffle tickets are currently available at the Altru Gift Shop or contact Lanette Swendseid at lswendseid@altru.org.

Another committee of Recruitment Leaders is beginning to build teams and increase participation at the event in February. Doesn’t it look like fun to be on a Sunshine Fest team???

“I became involved with Sunshine Fest for several reasons….I have been a Labor and Delivery nurse for 29 years and have seen many families struggle with where to stay when they have a preterm baby or mom is sick and requires a longer hospital stay.  Most of the time it is unexpected and a financial burden to stay at a hotel.  I have also personally experienced this need when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and we needed to travel 5 hours away to receive specialized care.   We received overwhelming support from our friends and neighbors during Mike’s illness and this is an opportunity for me to give back and help others who are in need.  There are so many that could benefit from a facility of this nature we need to make this a reality for our community!” – Karla Miller

Finally, overseeing all the action is an Event Logistics coordinator. You may have seen Richard Dafoe literally running in a past Sunshine Fest. This year he’ll be ‘running’ things behind the scenes.

Until next time,

So I’ve been hearing and learning about Sunshine Fest in recent weeks. Volunteers and participants involved in past events speak about the event with excitement and passion. As they speak, you can almost ‘feel’ the fun you’ll have when you participate. Doesn’t it look like fun?

Then there’s the added benefit that you’re supporting some great charitable causes.

In January 2011, the Sunshine Memorial Foundation hosted its 1st Annual More Sunshine Walk and Fun Run. The event had 102 walkers and runners and raised over $8,000 with proceeds to be split between three causes including: the Sunshine Memorial Foundation hiker and hydration awareness programs, the Special Olympics of Grand Forks, and the Dewey Kvidt Memorial Duathlon event which sponsored a yoga room at Choice Health and Fitness.

The 2nd Annual More Sunshine Walk and Fun Run held in 2012 hosted around 225 participants and rose over $27,000 with proceeds to be split between three causes, including: The Sunshine Memorial Foundation hiker and hydration awareness programs, the proposed Sunshine Hospitality Home Project, and Brittany Dvorak and Family to sponsor a basketball court at Choice Health and Fitness.

In January of 2013, the Foundation hosted Sunshine Fest, including the 3rd Annual More Sunshine Walk & Fun Run. The event raised estimated $75,000 total while promoting and with all proceeds benefitting the proposed Sunshine Hospitality Home Project. There were approximately 900 attendees.

This past January 2014, more than 900 people participated in the 4th Annual Sunshine Fest walk/run event and over $80,000 was raised with all proceeds going to the Sunshine Hospitality Home. Once again the growth continued.

The proceeds from the upcoming 5th Annual Sunshine Fest 2015 will once again benefit the Sunshine Hospitality Home project. The Home will benefit countless patients and families coming to Grand Forks for medical treatment. This home will be unique in that it will serve people with all medical issues seeking care from any provider.

Based on the excitement and determination of those volunteering to plan this event, I think it’s very likely the growth in participation and proceeds will continue. You’re not going to want to miss it…so raise your hand if you’ll be there!