Quilting for a Cause: Ankeny Area Quilter's Guild Makes a Donation

After over 150 pillowcases, Louise Whitlow (pictured below on the left), is still sewing away with the help of the Ankeny Area Quilter’s Guild. Whitlow and the guild have been making pillowcases for Camp Heart Connection’s Oncology and Sibling Camps for the summer of 2010.

“We have a family member with leukemia and she got to know the kids in the chemo room and I thought it would be good to give them to the camp after talking to Brecka,” said Whitlow. ” I am Vice President of the Guild and the VP picks a project for the year. I came up with the pillowcases because of my family member when we were trying to perk her room up at the hospital.”

It takes about 20-30 minutes to make each pillowcase depending on the skill of each member.  The pillowcases begin by cutting up all the fabric into patterns and then making them into kits that can be sewn at a later time.

“I have one sewing group that has done at least 1,400,” said Whitlow. “They get an assembly line going and it is fun to watch them go.”

The Ankeny Area Quilter’s Guild has made and donated 1,600 pillowcases since last September to places such as Children’s Cancer Connection, Blank Children’s Hospital, Methodist Oncology Center, Mercy Hospital, nursing homes, hospices, and the Mentor Iowa. Once they are done with the pillowcases for Children’s Cancer Connection they will pick a new project and continue sewing away for other great causes.

Children’s Cancer Connection would like to thank the Ankeny Area Quilter’s Guild for their generous donation! For more information about the Ankeny Area Quilter’s Guild, visit their website by clicking here. 

A Donation With Style

In celebration of Maurices' one year anniversary in the Coral Ridge Mall in Iowa City, IA, the store had staff members nominate several charities and then had their customers and friends vote on the most deserving. Children's Cancer Connection won and they presented us with a check for $500! We'd like to thank Maurices for their donation to us in support of children and families affected by childhood cancer. Their donation and support is greatly appreciated!

Pictured above:  Sherri Healy, Maggie Jones, Dani Boulton, Maurices' store manager, and Tiffany Spinner, Children's Cancer Connection's Director of Donor Relations.

Friday, June 18 - Camp Heart Connection

The morning was slow as we battled having thunderstorms, but the campers and staff were busy playing games, cards, taking naps and doing “make overs” to pass the time in their cabins. After lunch the sun came out and the day became warm!

Immediately following lunch, Brecka, the Camp Director, got pied in the face because she received the most coins during the Coin Drive this week. This afternoon is packed with fun activities for the last afternoon at camp such as tie dying, rifelry, the water fight and another “Everyday Heroes” session – the Police Chief from Huxley is coming to show the campers what he does everyday.

Tonight we will have last round of s’mores, there will be Circle Awards, where each camper will receive an award from the cabins around them, we’ll have a special program for the graduating seniors and LIT graduates, a slide show of pictures from the week, Wish Night, and even fireworks!

It has been a great week at Camp Heart Connection, but it’s almost time to end the week. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, the University of Iowa Dance Marathon, and other gracious donors and volunteers, this week has been a blast! 

Thursday, June 17 - Camp Heart Connection

Here are a few things that happened today: sand volleyball tournament, swimming at the pool, horseback riding, rock wall climbing, Superhero Party - for the boys, the fire truck from Boone came as a part of the "Everyday Heroes" program, and the all-camp dance. 

 

Wednesday, June 16 - Camp Heart Connection

Hello, gorgeous weather! We are finally seeing the sun in the sky here at Camp Heart Connection. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day! All of the outdoor activities, as well as the pool, are busy today filled with energetic campers.

The annual Princess Party is this afternoon and the girls couldn’t be more excited to dress up for the event! Each year old prom dresses are donated for the girls to wear to the Princess Party. This event is filled with little Debbie snacks, punch, fingernail painting, getting make-up or hair done and just having some plain ‘ole girl fun! The ladies are escorted down to Chase, where the party is held, on the arm of an older male counselor or LIT (Leader in Training). This event will bring big smiles and lots of sparkles to the afternoon!

We’ve already seen some awesome dance moves and heard some musical talent, but tonight is the night for the campers to show off a little more! The talent show was a blast with everything from the History of America to Lady Gaga.

This evening the all-camp activity is meeting the infamous Aunt Fifi! Aunt Fifi is the good witch that protects Camp Heart Connection. Aunt Fifi leaves notes treats for cabins who are good, helpful or who are keeping their cabins nice and neat! The campers will head out into the woods and Aunt Fifi will appear and talk about each cabin and how the week is going.

Tuesday, June 15 - Camp Heart Connection

Tuesday was a great day filled with lots of superhero-themed fun. The campers all participated in “Superhero Training,” where they all acquired skills such as unfreezing t-shirts, succeeding in team building activities and defeating the obstacle course! By the end of the afternoon we had the best crew of superheroes that you could ask for.

In the afternoon, as a part of the “Everyday Heroes” program, an ambulance and an EMT crew came from Boone to show the kids what they do everyday. The ambulance was a big hit and the campers were full of good questions for the EMT’s!

Throughout the day cabins took part in horseback riding, climbing the rock wall, swimming, playing sand volleyball, making their memory boxes at Arts & Crafts (thanks to Integer for helping donate some creative supplies), and competing in the annual Basketball Tournament.

The final activity for the night was watching the movie, “The Incredible’s,” under the stars in the field outside Pioneer. After the movie was over the campers were given the option to camp out under the stars. Since we had a beautiful night, lots of campers decided to take part!

Monday, June 14 - Camp Heart Connection

Despite the random rain showers, today has been a busy day. Arts and crafts was packed this morning and the campers were busy making superhero masks, bracelets and origami!

As a part of our “Everyday Heroes” program, Joe and Bear, a dog from the Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Boone, came to camp to meet the campers! Bear, a kid-friendly and lively dog, has something in common with our campers - Bear is also affected by cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Campers also got to enjoy horseback riding, climbing the rock wall, swimming in the pool, playing cards, practicing for the volleyball and basketball tournaments, and even more arts and crafts!

Tonight is "Guest Night" at Oncology Camp. At dinner we will be joined by a group of donors who have donated a camper scholarship or more, and they’ll be taking a look around camp to see their donations in action.

After “Guest Night,” it’s time for karaoke! Campers, cabins and staff will take turns singing their favorite songs and little later on in the night the teens will take part in the Teen Dance. By the end of the day, the  campers (and staff) are ready for a good nights sleep!

Sunday, June 13 - Camp Heart Connection

Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp began yesterday as over 150 excited campers checked-in at the Y-Camp in Boone, Iowa. Some campers had been coming for years, and others were just checking in for the first time, but one thing they all had in common were the big smiles that they were wearing.

“It’s always exciting seeing the returning campers and meeting the new campers,” said Brecka Putnam, Camp Director. “We are going to have a great week full of superhero-themed fun!”

After the campers checked-in they headed down to the carnival, which was run by members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) who awarded prizes and ran the carnival games. By early evening parents and campers said their good-byes as the campers headed down to the dining hall to eat dinner – lasagna, broccoli, bread, salad bar and Rice Krispies bars!

The all-camp photo, a magic show put on by Jacob Raymond and a special “camp edition” of the hit TV show, “Minute to Win It,” followed dinner. From blowing ping-pong balls into cups, to eating a cookie that has been placed on your head without using your hands, the games were a hit with campers of all ages.

The first night at camp was brought to an end by the light of a campfire and, of course, a few s’mores!

Danny Joe Memorial Golf Outing a Success!

On Friday, June 11, thirty-one foursomes came out in support of the 14th Annual Danny Joe Memorial Golf Outing at the Oskaloosa Golf Club.  There were folks from Georgia, Minnesota, Colorado and Florida! Thanks to the help of Mother Nature, the rain held off so that everyone could have a good time at this year's golf outing!  


This year, a friend of the Cornish family painted the Camp Heart Connection logo on the course!  The rainbow, now in the Camp Heart Connection logo, was originally drawn by Danny Joe, who the golf outing is in memory of. Over the last 13 years, this event has raised more than $100,000 to support the programs and services of Children's Cancer Connection.  It was great to see everyone and we look forward to next year already!  

It's Almost Here - Camp Heart Connection!

This week the staff at Children’s Cancer Connection is busying getting ready for the 155 campers who will attend our 24th Annual Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp, which kicks off on Sunday, June 13 and will go through Saturday, June 19. Camp Heart Connection is one of the largest and most exciting programs Children’s Cancer Connection operates each year at the Y-Camp in Boone, IA.

Children who have ever been, or are currently being treated for childhood cancer are invited to participate in a week-long camp full of swimming, arts and crafts, field games and much more fun. The oncology camp gives these children an opportunity to meet other campers experiencing the same emotions and lifestyle that comes with having cancer as a child.

Camp Heart Connection aims to bring campers confidence, independence, and positive relationships throughout their time at camp. And thanks to generous donors, including The University of Iowa Dance Marathon, which is the Presenting Sponsor for 2010, and the 100 member volunteer staff, campers are able to participate for free.