Surprised!!

My husband came from work last night with a framed painting for the auction. I know he hadn't been out collecting stuff so I was a tad surprised. It turns out that one of the guys he works with was telling one of the customers about Jammin' for Joel and this guy donated a painting.

Thank you to James Sweet for the gorgeous watercolor and to the salesman who got the painting for us!!

ski bunny

Thank you Mt. Washington!!!! 4 midweek lift tickets up for grabs!!

Stay Tuned

Christine and I are working out a Jammin' for Joel with Arbonne International Fundraising event. I will post when we have the details sorted out.

I need to thank Christine from Arbonne International for a great auction item and for her continued support.

A link was shared with me and this article is worth sharing here too. Thank you to the Ruttkiewicz family!!!

Family of the Year: Soke family honoured with significant tribute
By Jim Sinclair - Sooke News Mirror - December 05, 2007

The Ruttkiewicz family didn’t see it coming, and when they heard they’d been selected as the British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspapers Association “Family of the Year,” mom Michelle says she thought it was a gag.

Local resident Grania Bridal, someone not especially wellknown to the family of four, is the one who had nominated the family for the award.

Required in the nomination process was a 500-word essay about how the family made their own or someone else’s wishes come true. “They’re an inspirational family,” declared Bridal on her decision to nominate the Ruttkiewicz’. Happily, the Sooke News Mirror had a role to play in the process, as Bridal explained. “A few weeks ago they were SEAPARC Stars of the Week,” she said. “I saw the write-up on them and two pages later the ad for the Family of the Year nominations, and thought, ‘Duh?’ I’d known of them also because I’m a member of the Sooke Arts Council and they offer up wall space for our annual art show so I knew they were patrons of the arts already, and that’s wonderful.”

The Ruttkiewicz’s prize package included a trip to Vancouver for a Disney on Ice presentation. For elder son Marlon the high-speed elevator to the family’s 30th floor hotel room was one of the highlights of the trip. A $500 donation is also to be made to the charity of the family’s
choice. “We were just blown away,” said father Andreas of the distinction.

Andreas and Michelle own and operate the Little Vienna Bakery and Restaurant in Sooke. Andreas described some of what they’re involved in that may have led to the nomination. “We provide all of our leftover goods to Vital Vittles and the women’s shelter,” he said. “We have two kids with special needs so we’re involved heavily with CASA (Sooke Cooperative Association of Service Agencies) and our school (Poirier elementary)... and just in general with the community.”

The boys, 10-year-old Marlon and seven-year-old Quinn, are happy and active, and both enjoyed their Vancouver experience. As well as being a big sports fan Marlon loves to play the drums. Quinn likes doing pretty much whatever his older brother is doing.

“There must be a million-and-a-half families who deserve it as much as we do,” said Andreas of the award. “It’s a total honour,” said Michelle. “We’ve both been on cloud-nine about it in the last week. It’s a good reminder when we’re having hard days that we must be doing something right.”

While very happy with the recognition, Michelle shares the credit with her friends and neighbours. “We decided to move to Sooke six years ago,” she recalled. “We wanted to be in a
small community because our children have the challenges they have. We were just so well-received and embraced by the community. I really feel it’s only because of the support from the people of Sooke that we were able to open this kind of business.”

As the BCYCNA Family of the Year, the Ruttkiewicz’s were presented with a plaque, honouring their achievement by Sooke News Mirror’s publisher, Rod Sluggett (see photo), as well as a VIP Family package for Disney on Ice presents Princess Wishes on November 24 at the Pacific Coliseum. The prize included rink-side premium seating, special gifts, all travel expenses and accomodation, and a $500 donation made in their name to the charity of the family’s choice.

The Ruttkiewicz’s chose to donate the $500 to Joel & Michelle Dorval of Sooke, whose six-year-old son Joel is undergoing chemotheraphy at the BC Children’s Hospital for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The BCYCNA aims to continue the Family of the Year program in 2008, and we hope that another deserving family will be recognized for their acts of kindness.

Congratulations to the Ruttkiewicz’s!

Massage anyone?

I could go for a 60 minute massage!! Today thanks go out to Inner Health Massage and Western Foods - Sooke.

I would like to mention that individuals are also helping out. People are spreading the word, giving me items for door prizes, picking up tickets and donating cash for the family. Not to mention all the kind words and positive thoughts heading our way.

THANK YOU

Ken McCoy

http://www.mccoycountry.com/

Ken and the boys will be playing at this dance. Check them out!

Just keeps getting better!

Ticket sales are starting to pick up and the word is getting out there!! Keep it up.

Thank you goes out to Smoken Bones Cookshack, Shoppers Drug Mart - west shore, and Rogers Chocolate.

WOW!!!

Totals are in and we had sales of $1123.80. That translates to $430.95 in product to auction off and $100 cash!!! Jenn and I are thrilled with how successful this show was.

I was just notified of a Benefit Dinner in Sooke for the Dorvals. check it out here: http://tiptoes.ca/joel.pdf


Thank you for your continued support.

over $1000 in sales!!!

The partylite show is still waiting on a few possible orders but we have hit our goal. We get $100 in cash and over $400 in products to auction off as well as some door prizes. Thank you for your support from BC to Ontario!!



Here are a couple of the auction items that came from this show.



I love that elephant and he has a zebra and a giraffe buddy!! The other item is a single piece with many possibilities that I couldn't resist for the auction.

thank you!!

We had a wonderful Partylite show and we will have some great stuff to auction thanks to those who made a purchase. Final funds raised will be calculated this weekend. Special thanks to Jenn for coming up with the great idea and for making it a big success!!!

I'd like to thank Mike Cranmer Photography for coming to the dance to capture it for the Dorval family.

More thanks to Butchart Gardens, Minature World, Kris & Amanda - you know what you've done for me, Lordon's Horse Stuff, Greenhawk, Integrity Sales and Marks Work Warehouse.

Ticket sales are picking up now that the holidays are behind us! Keep it up!

I spoke with Ken McCoy last night and this dance is going to be a big success and a wonderful evening. thanks for everything Ken and the boys!

Jammin' for Joel with PartyLite

You are invited to Jammin’ for Joel with PartyLite on Sunday Jan. 13, 2008 @ 3:30 pm at 271 Atkins Ave.

We are going to be browsing the NEW catalogue, taking orders, and having munchies all while gathering much needed funds for Joel and his family.


Here is how it works…

Jennifer is hosting this show and is donating all of her FREE product to the silent auction at the Jammin’ for Joel dance on Feb, 22, 2008.

The PartyLite consultant is also donating 10% of the total show sales in cash for Joel and his family.


Where do you come in?

Purchase your favorite PartyLite product for yourself or to donate to the silent auction, order gift certificates either to donate to the silent auction or door prizes for Jammin’ for Joel, or just to use later!

We will also be accepting cash donations and selling tickets to the Jammin’ for Joel dance on Feb. 22, 2008.


Can’t make the date?

That’s o.k. you can still be a part of this great cause! Simply call 478-0845 or email Jennifer at Jammin_for_Joel@shaw.ca with your order and we will have it delivered right to you! Also if you are out of town – no problem, we can have your order sent anywhere in Canada for NO EXTRA CHARGE. Simply view the catalog online at www.partylite.com.


You are not going to be disappointed as there are so many new great products and scents from PartyLite. And don’t forget – Valentines Day is right around the corner, what is better for romancing than candles?

Thank you in advance for your support and we hope to see you on Jan. 13, 2008!!

Happy Mail!

thanks go out today to Caprice Showcase Theatre!!

Phone calls

I had two today regarding the Jammin' for Joel dance. The first one was to tell me they were not able to donate. I hope the lady realized how much I appreciate being told so I know not to wait around hoping to hear something. I have sent out over 160 donation request letters and it is great to hear back whether it's good or not. Thank you to those who contact me!

The second call was much better! DFH Real Estate is sending me a cheque to cover door prizes!! thank you

So, let me know what you'd love to see for a door prize! Also let me know what you'd hate to take home. I'll keep it all in mind when I go shopping.

Something else for you to think about and please let me know how you feel. Many places donate gift cards and I would rather purchase an item to auction off rather than auction the gift card. What would you like to bid on - product or gift card?

I'm looking forward to reading your responses. If you would rather email than post here send it to Jammin_for_Joel@shaw.ca


Happy New Year!!