In January, the Group Rooms got a makeover, thanks to some hard-working and kind-hearted neighbors! Jeff Boyer of J&B Enterprises, Leonard Chapman of "Honey-Do Boys," Brian Keith, and Norm MacDonald of "Honey-Do Boys" and a past TWCV/V participant, donated their time, talents, and tools to paint and re-floor the rooms where our support groups are held. The carpeting in these rooms was torn out and new windows and drywall installed during the repair of the South wall of the building. Many thanks to Flooring 101 for donating our new flooring!

We also want to thank City of Oxnard City Corps for moving the furniture beforehand, and Dave Friedl and Dave Corridori from CR Print for moving it after the improvements were completed. You can see photos from the project here.

Look for more exciting improvements to our facility in 2011 by a talented group of local designers!

Throughout the year, many volunteers and local businesses have contributed to the construction of the Garden of Hope. On March 27th Conejo Complete Landscape and Volunteers who responded to the Disney volunteer call to action trenched and installed the irrigation lines.

Later in the year, the Tribute Wall was stuccoed by Acosta Plastering, and work was done by Cal-State Fencing and Conejo Complete Landscaping.

On July 10, Conejo Complete and volunteers made even more progress with another day of hard work. Click here to see photos.

In September, United Way Day of Caring volunteers from Anthem worked with Conejo Complete Landscaping to put the finishing touches on the Garden of Hope irrigation system. Click here to watch a short video.

We are also extremely grateful to Reyes Masonry, Angelus Block, and State Ready Mix for their indispensable contributions. For a complete list of Garden donors click here.

Special Thanks to our Major Corporate Partners and Supporting Foundations!

Major Supporting Foundations in 2010:
Hugh E. and Marjorie S. Petersen Foundation
Amgen Foundation
Entertainment Industry Foundation
Fanny and Svante Knistrom Foundation
Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
Kaiser Hospital Foundation
RED Family Fund

Children and parents gathered on April 23 for an entertaining Story Time led by Grammy Award-winning musical artist Melissa Manchester. Twenty children, all decked out in the PJs and some accompanied by special stuffed friends, enjoyed hot cocoa, desserts, and the mesmerizing storytelling talents of special guest Melissa, who claims to be "the biggest kid there is."

We truly appreciate Melissa for taking the time to share her talent and love of performing with our participant families.

In July we featured Merv Kopp in our blog. Merv produces the Stand Up for Cancer Survivors Comedy FUNdraiser and organizes the monthly Comedy Night series at TWCVV. Our participants have enjoyed many laughs because of Merv's dedication to the idea that Laughter Is The Best Medicine. Click here to read Merv's story.

Save the Date! The Stand Up for Cancer Survivors Comedy FUNdraiser to benefit TWCVV will be held Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the Scherr Forum of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

In September, volunteers and past participants Karen and Steve Furnari, along with other volunteers, organized the 2nd Annual Paws 4 Hope fundraiser. Steve and Karen Furnari first came to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura after Steve was diagnosed with Stage IV malignant melanoma and given just six months to live. They immediately started attending support groups, which Karen describes as "an absolute lifesaver." The Furnaris continued to attend their groups for several years, until Steve's doctors pronounced his cancer as stagnant, with no new tumors.

After gaining hope and support from TWCVV, Steve and Karen were eager to give back. Steve began volunteering his time to lead newcomer orientation sessions, and when the idea of a charity dog walk came up, they both jumped on as Co-Chairs, with fellow past participant Bob Ferber. With hard work and dedication, they and the rest of the event committee have pulled off two tremendously successful Paws 4 Hope events. Click here to see photos from the 2010 Paws 4 Hope event!

In October we were very fortunate to have volunteers from Baxter BioScience donate their time to enhance the first impression that we give cancer survivors and their families and prepare TWCVV for the rainy season by weeding, cleaning our storm drains and gutters, and planting a pink ribbon at the Townsgate entrance. A special thanks to David Moreno for being the spokesperson, Janie Merritt for organizing the group, and Ron Lloyd for being a longtime supporter of TWCVV. Click here to view a short video.

It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work to organize TWCVV's Special Event Fundraisers. This year, Holiday Homes Tour Event Chairs Angela Schwanz and Randy Keane have devoted themselves to making it a successful event for the 19th year in a row. Angela and Randy are supported by a team of caring, hardworking volunteers who will stop at nothing to make this event fun and memorable for everyone who buys a ticket. Gingerbread Event Chair Judi Magee and Boutique Volunteer Andrea Roschke were recently interviewed on KVTA radio - click here to listen to Judi, and click here to listen to Andrea.

Would you like to be a volunteer this year? Click here to sign up! Don't foget to buy your tickets. Click here for secure online purchase.

Our Gala Committee is also hard at work preparing for the 2011 Celebration of Life Gala. Co-Chairs Lynn Buchanan and Laurie DeJesus are leading a team of fantastic volunteers. Save the date! The Gala will be held Friday, May 6, 2011. Click here to view photos from the most recent Gala.

Text the word COMMUNITY to the phone number 90999 to donate $10 to help families affected by cancer. Full terms and conditions at www.mgive.com/a.

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