| COLUMN NAME CHOSEN! |
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Thank you to everyone for submitting names for Kathleen's column the first time we asked as well as the second!
Due to "It Bears Mentioning" being the name of the Chicago Bears newsletter, we have chosen "Beartween the Lines" which was recently submitted by Kim Montiel! |
| BEARTWEEN THE LINES |
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Not a day goes by that we are not inspired by one of the children we serve which only makes Bear Necessities work harder to bring joy and hope into these children's lives while they take this disease on with amazing courage!
While visiting one of our partner hospitals I had the delightful opportunity to meet Amanda, a young cancer patient. She had recently had her leg amputated and was awaiting her prosthesis so she could learn to walk all over again. We chatted for some time and it was wonderful to hear of her future dreams and a big goal to receive her diploma by walking without assistance across the stage. As I left her room that day she yelled after me asking "do you think I get a deal on pedicures now?"
Amanda proudly walked across the stage on the day of her graduation and has gone on to live her life to it's fullest not letting cancer get in her way.
One example of why we do what we do, why our work is not done and why we are so GRATEFUL for your support!!
Warmly,
President/Founder |
| WISH LIST |
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1. $100 Whole Foods gift card
2. Cubs tickets
3. $50 Target gift card
4. Toddler wooden swing for the Adventure Play Sets Pathfinder
5. $25 Subway gift card
before obtaining any items and to secure your sponsorship.
Please note: If you are interested in sponsoring any items, you are responsible for buying the item and sending it to the office. All donations will receive proper acknowledgement for tax purposes. |
| BOOKS FROM THE BEAR GRANT |
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| The Bear Necessities Auxiliary Board has developed a small scholarship program in which 3 grants for $250 will be provided for textbooks for college bound/in college students who are currently in treatment for any form of childhood cancer or are a childhood cancer survivor.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying, all information will be on our website shortly. Grant deadline is August 1, 2009!
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| GIFTS FOR DAD |
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Father's Day is coming up on June 21st!
Give your Dad a gift that gives back! Visit our STORE today! |
| NEW OFFICE |
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Please note that the office will be open from 9AM-1PM on Fridays for the summer months.
We are still in need of a few items. Any assistance you can provide in obtaining or underwriting the costs of the items listed below would be greatly appreciated.
*Office furniture-underwrite cost
*Conference room chairs
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| SAVE THE DATE-SOX OUTING |
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Save the date for a special Bear Necessities/White Sox outing!
White Sox vs. Angels
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
7:11PM U.S. Cellular Field
More details to follow! |
| SPOTTED! WEARING THE BEAR |
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Nancy and Dennis Stephans were spotted wearing the Bear at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy! |
| SHARE WITH THE BEAR! |
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Have you ever wanted to show your philanthropic support but didn't know how to start?
Contact Kara at knitz@bearnecessities.org or 312.214.1200 x29 to find out how you can make a difference in the life of a child by sharing Bear Necessities in your restaurant, bar or even in your office! |
| JOIN OUR LIST |
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FEATURED SMALL MIRACLE |
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Allison
Dear Wonderful Family that adopted Allison's Small Miracle,
Hi! We just want to say thank you so much for sending Allison and our family to Timber Ridge Lodge in Lake Geneva. Our family has had an incredibly tough year. We found out in June that our one-year-old son Nicholas has mild hearing loss. Then in September we took my dad (who has had heart trouble for a while now) to Loyola Hospital and they basically told him he had to stay in the heart transplant unit and wait for a heart or he would not make it. Then in December Allison was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. Nicholas is doing great with his hearing aids and his speech therapist is helping immensely. My father got the heart transplant he desperately needed at the end of October and is doing fantastic. I know Allison will pull through this as well and we will all be stronger for what we have endured.
Wonderful adventures (as Allison called this last couple days) like this is what helps all of us get through the rough times and we owe it all to you. My parents joined us on the trip and got a room right next to ours; it was a wonderful get away for them as well. We would not have been able to plan this trip without your help and the help of Bear Necessities so I can't thank you enough.
Allison loves being in the water so we spent most of our time at the indoor water park. She also loved the video arcade, the mushroom pizza, and the huge Jacuzzi tub in our room. I have included some pictures for you to see how much we enjoyed the wonderful get away.
Thanks again,
Kim, Wes, Allison, & Nicholas
A special thanks to Allison's Small Miracle donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
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| GRAND OPENING |
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| 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1100
On May 26th, staff, Board Members, families and friends of Bear Necessities gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new office at 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1100. We are thrilled to finally be here. Feel free to stop by!
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| ASSURANCE AGENCY OF SCHAUMBURG |
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| Donates $3,000.00 to BN!
Assurance Agency, an independent insurance broker located in Schaumburg has a community program called ACT - Assurance Caring Together. Their mission is to become actively involved and develop meaningful partnerships with charitable organizations in their efforts to improve the quality of people's lives. Bear Necessities was chosen again this year as the recipient of funds from this program. Assurance Agency donated a generous $3,000.00 to the Small Miracle Program in March of 2009, which has gone to provide Small Miracles for six children battling cancer.
Thank you Assurance Agency and the ACT team for your support again this year! |
| 2009 SUMMER INTERNS |
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Welcome Robert, Christina, and Michael!
 Robert Bates is 20 years old and attends the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana majoring in Advertising with a minor in Marketing. Robert's favorite activity outside of school and interning with Bear Necessities is music production; he prefers Hip-Hop and R&B.
 Christina Rojas is a 19-year-old resident of Wheaton and has joined Bear Necessities as the Program and Services Intern. Christina attends Rice University in Houston, Texas majoring in Hispanic Studies with a minor in Poverty, Justice & Capabilities. She is also Pre-med. Outside of school Christina enjoys volunteering and working with kids at local hospitals and schools.  Michael Lim is currently a freshman at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts studying Sociology and Economics. Outside of class Michael enjoys participating in on-campus clubs including consulting and Christian Fellowship groups. |
| TEAM BEAR 2009 |
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 Run with Team Bear
It is not too late to join Team Bear and run for kids with cancer this summer!
If you are already registered, then all you will need to do is commit to raising $600 by the end of October.
Registration for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon has closed but Team Bear does have charity spots available. If interested, please contact Susan at smura@bearnecessities.org or 312.214.1200 x23.
CARA is the official training group for Team Bear. Training for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start on June 13th. The CARA Super Clinic for runners is this Saturday, June 6th. For more information CLICK HERE! |
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
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6.12.09 - 10th Annual Bob Panzino Memorial Golf Outing | benefiting BN | Poplar Creek Country Club | 1400 Poplar Creek Drive Hoffman Estates, IL 60194 | 1st tee time 7:30AM | For event information or to register CLICK HERE or call Matt Panzino at 847.508.1132.
6.13.09 - Auxiliary Board Meet & Greet | 12:30-3PM | Red Ivy | 3519 N. Clark | For prospective members to discuss Auxiliary Board membership & Bear Necessities
6.23.09 - Annual Board Meeting | Horseshoe Casino Hammond | 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, IN
6.29.09-7.1.09 - Jewel Shop & Share to benefit BN | CLICK HERE to print coupon and have 5% of your grocery purchases donated to BN | Don't forget your coupon when shopping on these select dates
7.10.09 - 4th Annual Kailyn Rhea Foundation Golf Outing benefiting BN | Buffalo Grove Country Club | 48 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove | Visit www.kailynrhea.com to register today!
7.11.09 - 7th Annual Kicks 4 Cancer Soccer Tournament | to benefit BN | For tournament information and registration visit www.kicks4cancer.org today!
7.13.09 - 1st Annual "F.O.R.E. the Bear" Charity Golf Tournament to benefit BN | Oak Brook Golf Club, Oak Brook, IL | CLICK HERE to visit the course website | Shotgun start at 1PM followed by dinner and cocktails | To join the event committee, donate to the silent auction or register for this event, please call Richard at 708.446.5620
8.2.09 - "GU-Station" Volunteer Opportunity | Cheer on Team Bear members during for the Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon | "GU" is an energy packet for runners and walkers | Please contact Susan to register at smura@bearnecessities.org with your name, email, and phone number no later than Friday, July 17
8.13.09 - Johnny B's Golf for the Bear | details to follow | Feel free to contact Courtney with questions at 312.214.1200 x27
10.3.09 - Thomas C. Urso Memorial Golf Outing to benefit BN | 10:30AM | Tuckaway Golf Course | 27641 Stony Island, Crete, IL 60417 | Please contact Nick at 708.924.9093 to register. | |
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