As 2018 ends and 2019 begins, a time for reflection is expected. We frequently look back on the year and look at the good, the bad, and lessons we may have learned. For CJSTUF, 2018 was another year of success. We served meals to over 10,000 patients, family members, and caregivers for the third year in a row. Our Meal Fairies program has inspired additional meal services by the Ronald McDonald House of Richmond as well as organizations that are serving meals at UVA Children’s Hospital. In fact, at least 5 days a week, families getting care for their children at UVA can now receive a meal free of charge. While CJSTUF is not providing all of these meals, we like to take a little bit of credit for the inspiration that brought such a program to the hospital in the first place.

In addition to the reflection of the past year, my thoughts have been on another approaching milestone. 2019 will mark ten years since Charlotte’s diagnosis and treatment. By the end of 2009, we had reached what was the end of Charlotte’s life but only the beginning of the journey for CJSTUF.

What a journey it has been!

Before 2009, our experiences with hospitals had been limited to either my professional training as a speech language pathologist (very limited) or the occasional accident/illness; something that you experienced with your older relatives or very short trips to the ER. The idea of stopping everything for the life of your child for almost a year was something I could barely fathom. We lived the experience and survived with the help of an amazing network of friends and family.

Before 2009, my experience with nonprofits had been as an employee and a donor/supporter/volunteer. We have now lived the startup experience firsthand. We have learned many lessons; I pursued an additional graduate certificate in nonprofit management and participated in the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program. I have since sat on other boards and given advice to many people interested in starting up or managing their own nonprofit. Sometimes our seemingly contradictory advice is, “Don’t do it.” It’s hard work, it’s never-ending, and it’s not always the right way to go about changing the world. However, it gave our lives focus at a time when grief was overwhelming and overpowering. In some ways, I think CJSTUF gave me a way to power through my pain and I am grateful for that.

Before 2009, I had experienced grief and loss in many ways. I had lost a parent, all of my grandparents, and even some friends. None of this prepared me for the loss of my own child. I now understand the word anguish in a way that I never thought possible. I understand grief such that stories of tragedy, particularly the death of a child, can instantly bring me to tears. The grief journey has waxed and waned and we have spoken of it often. It flares from time to time and then it subsides. The grief is always there. I would not wish the pain on anyone. Knowing that we can use this pain to further some good in the world is a small relief, one that keeps me rolling out of bed each day.

So as 2019 begins, I look towards many anniversaries with mixed emotions. A decade is a significant milestone. We are proud of the many things that CJSTUF has done for families and we want this legacy to remain for decades to come. We will start the year with our annual #Light4CJSTUF on January 7. It is a day to pause and remember Charlotte’s death for what it means to us and what her legacy can mean to to others. Bringing light to a time of darkness is sometimes all we can do. It can be enough. As the year continues, there will be celebrations, fundraisers, and milestones, including the Thumbs Up Ball in February (do you have your tickets yet?). Most importantly, we will use the next two years to focus on CJSTUF’s legacy for decades to come. Stay tuned for some exciting developments in the life of our organization! We will have a lot to say!

For those of you who have been with us on this journey from the beginning, thank you for everything you have done. Your kindness and light in a time of darkness has been the foundation keeping Roger and me moving forward. For those of you just joining us on the journey, thanks for coming along! Just today, we received a donation from a parent whose child received meals from CJSTUF at UVA during their own medical journey two years ago. Their desire to give back is an expression of gratitude that we understand so well. May the light shine in us so that we may bring it to others in their time of darkness.

Thanks for being a part of the first ten years. 

The post Ten Years-What It Means appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

BUT it bears mentioning that there have been some really exciting reasons to celebrate at CJSTUF this year.

This year, we hit a grand milestone: 10,000 served in our Meal Fairies program in just this year alone. That includes our programs at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, UVA Health Systems, and the Ronald McDonald House programs in Charlottesville and Richmond.

We also received TWO grants from Rite-Aid’s Kid-Cents program, one for $7500 in January and another for $5000 in December. Thanks to everyone who registered for the Kid-Cents program. If you missed it, you can still sign up. Every little bit counts.

For the third year in a row, Goddard Schools of Richmond partnered with CJSTUF for some amazing Fall and Winter fundraisers. While the totals are still rolling in, we know that we have received over $6000 from the area Goddard School programs. They held fundraisers ranging from spaghetti dinners to art auctions in honor of our organization. We are so grateful for this ongoing commitment from a great group of business owners.

Finally, we started our Mile of Fives campaign with a goal of collecting enough $5 donations that would, when stacked end to end, equal one mile. This would total about $50,000. Our goal for this year was to reach a little over $9,000 but I’m pretty sure we exceeded that goal. Stay tuned in January for an update on our progress.

All of these milestones give me hope. They are small lights that add up over time to create a beacon in the darkness. They keep me focused on the future instead of moping about the past (or the present). Thanks to you, our loyal supporters, we will go into 2017 with strength and courage to continue the work of our mission. We are ready to keep the Meal Fairies going strong…with even the possibility of expansion in the near future.

With these words of thanks, I would like to remind everyone to make your own #Light4CJSTUF in honor of CJSTUF’s 7th anniversary, which coincides with the anniversary of Charlotte’s death. For the third year in a row, we invite you on January 7 to light a candle, take a picture, and post it to social media with the hashtag #Light4CJSTUF. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram but you can post anywhere you like. If you’re on Twitter or Instagram, you can tag @cjstuf as well. This has become a beautiful tradition that we (CJ’s family) cherishes each year. Thank you for helping us honor her memory in such a tangible way.

If you’re looking for more ways to make an impact, consider the following for your family’s goals for 2017:

• Becoming a sustaining donor to CJSTUF with a monthly commitment to our organization. A donation of $10 per month helps us feed over 30 people in our Meal Fairies program.
• Sign up to make a meal during one of our Ronald McDonald House volunteer dates. This is open to families with children, service organizations, or anyone interested in giving back.
• Celebrate for CJ in 2017. Run a race in her honor. Ask for donations to CJSTUF in lieu of presents for a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or other special occasion. Host a butterfly social. It’s an easy way to contribute and every little bit makes a difference.

With great thanks,

Rachel Reynolds
CJ’s Mama

The post We Look to the Light appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

Tell us how you first got involved in CJSTUF, and why?

I learned of the Reynolds family through a blog post when Charlotte Jennie was first diagnosed. My daughter is also called Charlotte and was the same age as CJ so the story really touched my heart. When CJSTUF was formed, I initially helped out by writing thank you letters to donors and then I was asked if I would like to join the Board.

What is it like to be a volunteer for CJSTUF?

There are so many different ways to volunteer so there really is something for everyone. You can help by raising donations, helping staff a table at various events, cooking a meal at the Ronald McDonald House etc. Since CJSTUF is a small, local organization, you really feel that your efforts are appreciated and make a real difference.

Do you have any fond memories of volunteering for CJSTUF over the years (or maybe a favorite)?

Recently, I have been volunteering to serve lunch to families of children being treated at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond as part of the Meal Fairies program. It is very rewarding to be able to see first-hand the impact we can have on families going through a very difficult time. It is more than just providing lunch. It shows them that there are people there to support them. It gives them a chance to sit and eat a meal for a few minutes and perhaps make contact with another parent in the same situation. The families are always incredibly appreciative that we are there.

Why did you choose to volunteer with CJSTUF as opposed to another nonprofit organization?

The foundation resonates with me since we are helping families with very sick children and I feel very fortunate to have healthy children. I like that it is a local organization helping local families. As a past board member, I also know that the foundation is very fiscally conservative and I like that as much money as possible goes back to fund our services.

What would you tell others who might be considering volunteering with CJSTUF?

Get in touch! Find out what opportunities might best meet your skill set and preferences. You will meet a great bunch of people, be able to make a real impact and have fun while doing it. It’s very easy to be a volunteer with CJSTUF.

The post Volunteer Spotlight: Vicki Swanson appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

As this blog post was developing, it could have devolved into a dark and morose rant but after our CJSTUF Board meeting this week, it’s anything but.

Here’s the thing:  Last year, we expanded our Financial Assistance Grants to include patients at UVA Health Systems in Charlottesville (appropriate, eh?) which was a tremendous success!  This year (July, actually), we added the Meal Fairies Program to the UVA mix.  Again, it was very well received.

The staff at UVA Hospital has bent over backwards to help us and it looks like this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

So, here’s another thing:  We have reached the edge of our ability to actually PAY for these services.  We’ve bumped up against “The Green Ceiling” as I have come to think of it (all rights reserved, patent pending) and until we can break through it, we have to limit CJSTUF’s participation in C’Ville to twice a month.  If you’ve followed our progress over the last five years, you’ll know that even weekly meals, like what we currently provide at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, aren’t really enough.  We could conceivably be there every day for Lunch Bunch and not completely fill the need.

This challenge could be a rather sobering fact that drives the CJSTUF morale down into the dumps and makes us feel inadequate.  Except it doesn’t.  At our last CJSTUF Board meeting, the mood was anything but sobering.  For the moment, the Board only approved launching Meal Fairies meals at UVA Health Systems twice a month through December.  This will allow us to gauge response and feasibility for the upcoming fiscal year.

There has been such a positive response from UVA and others involved in the projects that we feel it’s only a matter of time before everything is fully funded.  We have lined up several C’Ville-area food vendors who want to work with us and have started a discourse with the Ronald McDonald House out there to hopefully begin cooking meals for their residents.

It’s difficult to put into words the impact one meal has on a family’s psyche.  You need to see it to get the full impact.  But suffice to say, it can pull a parent out of the numbness that descends on us when we despair.  The families actually have difficulty getting their heads around the fact that this meal is for them and it’s free.  Sometimes, the stress of the situation can kill an appetite.  One of our many mottos is, “You may not feel like it, but ya GOTTA eat.”

We also have been working extremely diligently behind the scenes to develop relationships that will blossom into long-term support for all of CJSTUF’s programs and operations.

So here’s the short-term goal:  We will serve our bi-weekly meals (a phrase which here means “once every other week”) at UVA and continue Lunch Bunch at CHoR every Thursday in conjunction with Connor’s Heroes.  At the same time, we want to get more individuals and local businesses to help us fund the meals.  We budget $300 per meal and serve between 70-100 people each time we set up shop.  If you sponsor a meal, we’ll make sure everyone knows that you did it and thank you very publicly.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a meal, let us know and we’ll get you all the pertinent information.

That “Green Ceiling” is SOOO toast!

The post Shattering the Green Ceiling appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

Volunteers across the Richmond area and beyond have hosted Butterfly Social events to tell our story. One of our “Butterfly Social Superstars” is our very own Vicki Swanson, one of CJSTUF’s founding board members. She has hosted five fun & successful Butterfly Socials for CJSTUF, and we were able to talk to her about why she chooses to host every year, and with such success!

*What inspired you to host a Butterfly Social this year?

I love to host parties and get togethers with friends. The mission of CJSTUF is something I am passionate about so combining the two was a no-brainer!

*How do you plan your Butterfly Social to be as successful as possible?

I give a few weeks notice so guests have time to make plans. I use an Evite to track responses and send out reminders. I set up a table with information about CJSTUF so people can check it out if I’m busy with other guests. My party was a family friendly cook out so I make sure I have activities for the kids such as lawn games and crafts. CJSTUF can help with little giveaways too so the kids all get to take home a little goody bag.

*Do you directly ask your guests for a donation to support CJSTUF? If so, how do you do this?

I highlight in the Evite that the party is in support of CJSTUF and that donations will be appreciated but not expected. I don’t want guests to feel pressured into making a donation so I put out a donation box (a shoes box with a slit cut in the top). That way I’m not actively collecting donations and individuals can decide whether and how much to donate and it is kept confidential.
*What would you say to a person who is interested in hosting a Butterfly Social but is hesitant?

I would say go for it! I was originally wary of asking for donations but I have found friends are very happy to contribute. Even if they don’t contribute, you will have a chance to spread the word about CJSTUF and increasing awareness is very important to the growth of the foundation.
*What was the best part of your Butterfly Social this year?

This year I invited a number of families who hadn’t been before and didn’t know about CJSTUF. It was great to be able to talk to them about the work of the foundation. I met all of my goals – raised money, raised awareness and had a lot of fun in the process!

Here are some FAQ’s about Butterfly Socials:

What is a Butterfly Social?

It’s a party! A gathering! A great  time! It can be as elaborate as a fancy cocktail party or as simple as a pizza & movie night. Many people plan to have get-togethers during the warmer months anyway, and a Butterfly Social is a way to combine that with spreading the word to your friends & family about CJSTUF. The theme, menu, and when & where you host your party are all up to you.

What do I have to do? Will CJSTUF help?

CJSTUF staff can be as involved (or as hands-off!) as you like with the planning. You’ll receive a toolkit and host packet with all of the important information. In addition, staff or board members will be available to serve as a CJSTUF representative at your party, and we can also provide favors for your guests.

While we would love for you to request that your guests consider making a financial gift to CJSTUF at your Butterfly Social, it is not a requirement. We would love to add your friends & family to our mailing list if they so choose.

Any funds you raise at your Butterfly Social will go directly to CJSTUF and the families we support. You and your guests are a very important part of the work we do!

If you are interested in hosting your own Butterfly Social this summer, please contact Michelle Alford, our Managing Director, at michelle@cjstuf.org.

The post Highlights from a Butterfly Social appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

A few days after Charlotte Jennie’s death on January 7, 2010 from a Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET), we received a letter in the mail from the State Corporation Commission notifying us that CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation had been officially and legally incorporated.

The date of official incorporation was January 6, 2010.  The day before Charlotte died.

I HATE that CJSTUF exists.  I HATE that CJSTUF HAS to exist.  I HATE the reason we started down this path in the first place.  If I think about how much I hate all that for too long, that’s when my steering wheel begins to take a beating.

But without CJSTUF, all that support that was directed at us would have drifted away after Charlotte died.  The 180 grants we’ve sent out would not have helped our families at VCU and UVA Health Systems in their times of need.  We wouldn’t have served 10,000+ meals to the families and caregivers on the 7^th floor of Children’s Hospital of Richmond and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond.  We wouldn’t have been able to offer volunteer opportunities to children and adults alike.

We wouldn’t have been able to make a few unbearable situations just a little more bearable.

On top of all that, we wouldn’t have been able to meet the legion of amazing people who have come into our lives:  Our continuously energetic Board Of Directors, the other families with whom we have commiserated and from whom we’ve received such love, and the people–friend, family, and stranger alike–who have entrusted us with their hard-earned resources so that we may be able to continue the forward momentum of this great coping mechanism that we call “CJSTUF.”

At the risk of embarrassing her, we must hold high upon a pedestal our Managing Director, Michelle Alford, and her wonderful family. When we put out the call for applications to fill the newly created position of “Foundation Facilitator,” we had no earthly idea that out of the many talented and highly qualified applicants, we’d be introduced to the amazing Michelle Alford and her family.  Not only did she become an indispensable employee (who totally kicks heiney at what she does) but her entire family is now on the short list of who we call “close and trusted friends.”  And what with the impending adoption of our Kiddo, it’s so nice to have a “best friend” for her in the form of their eldest daughter.

Michelle has been a huge part of the growth and success of the Foundation and we hope she will choose to continue her journey with us for the foreseeable future.

Now, none of this will bring Charlotte Jennie back to us and this week is understandably one of great pain and heartache, but we really do find comfort in the fact that we are able to continue her legacy in the form of CJSTUF and that so many people seem to be rooting for us.

We are very thankful for all of those who will be lighting luminaries in Charlotte’s memory on January 7.  Let those lights continue to blaze in your hearts whenever the night seems darkest.

#Light4CJSTUF

Roger Reynolds
CJSTUF Director of Programs
CJ’s Daddy

The post Five Years: What it means appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

I am grateful for all that we have been able to accomplish in five years.  As we noted in our 2013 Annual Report, we have provided support in the form of meals and financial assistance to thousands of individuals.  In 2014 alone, we fed over 4000 people through the Lunch Bunch program at Children’s Hospital of Richmond.  In 2015, we will distribute our 200th $500 financial assistance grant.  In 2014, we also expanded our reach to the Charlottesville area, providing assistance to over 20 families served by UVA Health Systems.

As our visibility in the community has grown, we have been given great opportunities to share our story and receive support from generous donors such as the Deep Run Marathon Dance, The Richmond Area Goddard Schools, and the many individual donors who helped us exceed our fundraising goals each year of participation in Richmond’s Amazing Raise.  As it has been from the start, these larger gifts grow from the efforts of just a few people. It is the Network…the friends and family who supported us in 2009…who have helped this vision become a reality. It is the expansion of the Network that helps our vision continue.

Unfortunately, this expansion and visibility in the community has also increased demand for our services. We currently have over 20 families waiting for financial assistance. While we were successful in raising the money for which we budgeted in 2014, our waiting list exceeds our means at this time. We are committed in 2015 to pursue grants and sponsorship funding that will help us achieve (and exceed) our financial goals. Our journey continues and our energy is renewed!

Each year in January, we look for specific ways to honor Charlotte’s memory outside of donations to the foundation. At her memorial service in 2010, we released hundreds of pink and purple balloons into the sky. Watching those bouquets of color reach for the heavens, I was struck at her memorial service by the tangible symbol of support this portrayed. Much like the balloons in Pixar’s Up raised Carl’s home and saved it from imminent destruction, each balloon released by a member of our Network lifted our hearts and our spirits at a time when our grief left us heavy and burdened.  Every year since, we have honored Charlotte’s day of passing (January 7) by releasing a few balloons outside our home with a collection of close friends and family.

In this spirit, the work of the foundation lifts families. We can’t lift their entire house with our offering of help and hope, but we can lift a heart. We can lighten the load of a mother who has spent 10 days in the hospital at her daughter’s side by offering a hot meal. We can ease the worry of a family whose child is facing three years of leukemia treatment by putting $500 towards their mortgage this month.  

This year, we would like to mark the 5th anniversary of Charlotte’s death and the founding of CJSTUF in a slightly different way. Instead of releasing balloons, we are going to light candles. We hope you will join us. Much like the balloon analogy, when we light a candle, we provide a beacon to families in their time of darkness. Perhaps one candle cannot guide a steamship into a safe harbor, but it can lead one family out of the darkness. It can give warmth and guidance along the path for at least a few. And while one candle may not do much, think of the power that we all might have in lighting those candles together. Imagine the glow that 1000 candles could provide on a cold winter night.

Please join us on January 7th, honoring CJ in whatever way feels right to you. If you wish to share (especially on social media), please use the hashtag #Light4CJSTUF in your post. We are active on Facebook and Twitter (@cjstuf).

Thank you, Network, for always being there in our time of need. Everything the last five years has brought to CJSTUF is possible because of your generous spirit.

With love and peace,

Rachel Reynolds
CJSTUF Board Member & Co-Founder
CJ’s Mommy

The post Uplifting & Reflective appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

Can you summarize Ethan’s story for us?

Ethan was born 6 weeks premature with multiple birth defects. At the age of 3 months he had the first of 10 surgeries to repair urological birth defects.  After traveling to three different states, participating in 37 different genetic tests and being a patient at the National Institute of Health, a diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease Complex I and ATR-X Syndrome was diagnosed.  Both diseases are rare and both limit your lifespan.

How did you learn about CJSTUF?

Our family followed Charlotte’s story through friends and social media.  We became aware of the foundation while attending a birthday party at Romp n Roll in Mechanicsville.  At the time Ethan was almost one and we decided to have a “Birthday Party for CJ”.  Instead of gifts we asked friends and family to make a donation to CJSTUF in honor of Ethan’s first year of life. We were honored to give back to the community but little did we know that one day we would end up benefiting from CJSTUF as a Financial Grant Recipient.

How do you feel CJSTUF has supported your family?

CJSTUF supported our family with financial assistance that allowed us to purchase an iPad.  The iPad has been used for comfort for Ethan during his many hospital visits and appointments. He also has been using it as a learning tool and has helped Ethan improve his communication skills.  Not only did the grant allow our family to purchase something for Ethan to help comfort him but it allowed us to do something for Ethan that was “fun”.  Children with chronic and life threatening illnesses often do not get “extras” because of the extremely high cost of healthcare including medications, equipment and hospital stays.  The grant allowed us to give Ethan a bit of sunshine in a time of dark clouds.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for a family of a child with a story like Ethan’s?

I would say the biggest challenge for a family like ours is dealing with the reality of what our life will be like in the future without our child while living in the present and enjoying the child we have today.

What would be one thing you wish people knew about CJSTUF?

I wish people knew how amazing Charlotte’s parents are.  Not because they had and lost a child with cancer but because out of the terrible pain and loss they made something so beautiful and helpful for other children and their families.

If you are interested in keeping up with Ethan and his family, you can “like” his Facebook Page called “Energy for Ethan.” 

The post Family Spotlight: The Hamiltons appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

For more information about volunteering with CJSTUF, including opportunities at the Richmond Ronald McDonald House, visit our Volunteer Page
.

Rebecca Wright and her daughter Katie have been long-time friends of Rachel and Roger Reynolds, founders of CJSTUF.  They also happen to be very enthusiastic in the kitchen, and have been excited about the opportunity to volunteer through CJSTUF’s Meal Fairies Program at The Ronald McDonald House in Richmond.  Read below for more about Rebecca’s experience as a volunteer with CJSTUF.

Our favorite quote from Rebecca about volunteerism:

“I totally believe in the “butterfly effect” — Even the smallest fluttering of your “wings” can have big effects down the road. So we choose to “flutter.”

What motivated you to become a volunteer for CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation’s Meal Fairies Program at Ronald McDonald House?

[My godson] Kieran went to Sloan-Kettering in NYC after he finished his treatment at MCV, and we always stayed at the RMH there. That’s a much larger facility, so restaurants provide meals a night or two a week.  It was great to be able to come back to a nice meal after a long day of treatment (which can be very intense and exhausting for everyone) and not have to worry about what we were going to eat.

How did you learn about CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation?

Roger was Katie’s freshman advisor at Randolph-Macon, and she often babysat for Charlotte.  She was just devastated when Charlotte was diagnosed, particularly coming a year after my godson’s diagnosis (for whom she also babysat). So we’ve followed the “story” from the get-go. I’ve worked with several local and national pediatric cancer organizations, but this just seemed like a great way to “pay forward” some of the support that we have received over the past seven years and do it in a way that would honor that precious little girl.  It’s so very hard to lose a child (I have personal experience and have watched too many “cancer friends” endure it), so I also want to support Rachel and Roger in their efforts.

Can you share a little bit about your experience preparing meals for the families at the Ronald McDonald House?

Doing this is fun!  I love to cook for people, and the RMH kitchen is pretty amazing.  This just seemed like a natural fit. I follow their guidelines and plan meals that we can prepare in two hours.  I bring separate tote bags with all the ingredients for each dish, and Katie and I decide in advance who is going to cook what. (The pre-planning is really important.) Then we just grab a tote bag and get to work!

Tell us about yourself and what you do when not volunteering for CJSTUF.

After 38 years, I retired from being a high school English teacher in Henrico County in 2011, then did a consulting job with the AP program for two years, and am now finally, really retired! (Well, I still sub and tutor during the school year.) My hobbies are cooking, gardening, and NOT doing housework!  Everyone in this family LOVES kids — In addition to Katie, we have a younger son who is a student at VCU and works as a counselor at the Jewish Community Center, and I have four grown stepchildren with their own kids and step kids, PLUS a large extended family — So throwing down a big meal isn’t a problem.

As I said, I have done some volunteer work with pediatric cancer organizations — Connor’s Heroes, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, and CureSearch, and have written some articles/presented at conferences.  Now that Kieran is (knock on wood!) doing so well, I have more time to devote, because I was chief babysitter/assistant nurse to that boy for several years!  Honestly, having experienced all of this so closely, I feel like a slacker if I’m not doing SOMETHING involving support, because I know that there are people out there who need it.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering for the CJSTUF Meal Fairies program through Ronald McDonald House?

Again, it’s fun!  It takes only a few hours, and we get to work in the kitchen of our dreams.   Sometimes a guest comes through, and we get to chat for a bit, but usually we’re just there doing our cooking thing.

I think that, sometimes, people hesitate to get involved with a project because it may take too much time, or maybe they think they don’t have the skills, or maybe it will turn out to be more than they bargained for.  This doesn’t, they probably do, and it won’t!

The post Volunteer Spotlight: Rebecca Wright appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.

Roger is honored to be nominated for an Eagle Rare Life award. This annual award is given by Eagle Rare Bourbon for individuals demonstrating exemplary service to the community.  Rachel was a finalist for this award in 2012 and received $5000 for CJSTUF. The grand prize is $50,000 donated to the nominee’s favorite charity.

Here’s how you can help: 

1. Vote daily at this link. Voting can happen every 24 hours.

2. Share with your friends! The more votes we get, the better the chances of entering the finals.

3. Stick with it! Voting continues until January 2015.  Set a reminder every day if you can.

Voting takes just a click and doesn’t require submission of any personal information. We appreciate your support!

The post Eagle Rare-Vote Daily! appeared first on CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.