Posts Tagged ‘foundation’

Rock the Cradle for JohnnyKicksCancer was a huge success!

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

We had a great weekend at the Third Annual Rock the Cradle for the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation.

Together we brought approximately 800 people to the Lee and Joe Jamail skatepark, spectators saw some of the biggest names in skateboarding compete and skate like never before.  The Rock the Cradle for JohnnyKicksCancer has been the largest event benefiting our Foundation, and this year was no exception, bringing in over $25,000.00.  The money raised at the event will be used for raising awareness and increase funding for childhood leukemia research, helping doctors find a cure for the number one childhood cancer.  We could not have done this without the generous donations and support from our sponsors, family and friends.
Everyone came together for one goal and a common cause – to help the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation raise awareness and increase funding for research for the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer – leukemia.
The Honorable James Rodriguez - City Council Member, District I, started the event with a few words thanking everyone for their support.  Councilman Rodriguez also said he cannot wait for his 18 month old son Jake, to one day skate the Jamail park with the big boys.
In addition to raising money for the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation, people also lined up and donated to a cause that is also very close to our hearts, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.  The GCRBC collected 25 whole units of blood, that will in turn save close to 75 lives!   Saving lives and curing cancer — not a bad day, indeed.
Big ‘Thank You’s’ go to the sponsors of the event: SuperCuts, Gulf States Toyota, BoostMoblie, the Hard Rock Cafe, The Houston Parks and Recreation Department, The City of Houston, The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, and The Hildebrand Foundation, Barry and Kim Blumenthal, and Caleb Gonzalez.

To the volunteers: Man, we could NOT have done it without YOU! -

The Houston Parks & Rec guys: Kyle, Aaron and Dee — amazing.

The Photographers:

Rob Hensen, John Hocutt, and Eric Sauseda/SkateHouston – thank you.  I’m still going through all of the amazing photos, I’m so glad you were there capturing every incredible moment.

The Muscle:

Rhonda Gregg, Steve Hirsh, Scott Toth, David Spence, Stacey Hanna, Russell Gregg, Rebecca Gregg, Rene Romano, Trish Bower.

The Roadies:

Joey Romano, Michael Ford, Sara Hanning, Julian & Danny Longoria, Caleb Gomez, Sam Toth, Zane Spence, Sophia Romano, Cooper Orton, Malie and Issiac Richardson, and Ellie Cherryhomes.

The Stars of the Show:

(’cause let’s face it, no one is lining up to see me!)

Bucky Lasek, MiMi Knoop, Sky Siljeg, CaraBeth Burnside, Lance Mountain, Lizzy Armanto, Kevin Kowalski, Bryan Pennington, Sergie Ventura, Zach Miller, Steve Piniero, Ben Johnson, Adam Wiggins, Ken Fillon, Chris Gentry, Lance Childers, Heath Cherryhomes, Glenn Charnoski, Lester Kasai, Jason Espeseth, Jeremy Smith, Jed Fuller, Nick Parenti, Troy Chasen, Dave Donaldson, Dave Duncan, Sasha Steinhorst, and many more.

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Posted in Events, Fundraising, The JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation, skate | No Comments »

ONE TRICK PONY

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

 Johnny didn’t really care for Mr. Boo Boo very much.  

Yep.  That’s me lately.  A one trick pony.  I think I used to juggle projects pretty well, but since Johnny passed away — nope.  Not anymore.  I’m a one project kind of gal. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I have one project going at a time — hell no.  I like to start many projects all at once, big ones too, knowing good and well  I can only focus on one at a time. Just when I think things are slowing down or a project might end — HA!  Snafu’s, bugs and wrenches come flying right for me. Luckily I was born on the same Island as Wonder Woman — the wrist cuffs (or gaudy gold bangles depending on what era your from) are standard issue and have really come in handy.  
So here’s a few tidbits of what we’ve been doing…
First and most importantly, we are going on a family vacation to Costa Rica!  WOO HOO! We’ve never been before and Mike has always wanted to go.  He is so excited about the trip he has been buying clothes (surf trunks) for Joey and himself, had a ‘meeting’ Saturday night at our house (ahem, my parents…) about the trip with our 40 or so friends that are also going (unfortunately we don’t remember to much of the conversations),  and then I knew something was up when he called to tell me bathing suits were on sale at the Gap (it’s been a few years since I bought a new one).  I’m really happy for Mikey.  He needs something good to focus on for a change. – We all do!
Before we go to Costa Rica though, Mike and I are going to Washington DC, on behalf of CureSearch to speak to Congress about increased funding for childhood cancer research.  Okay, this was totally my idea…  but Mike has been a good sport about it.  Hey, what can I say?  I’m a mom on a mission — don’t get me mad, because I will be all over your ass like fly’s on a rib roast.
Our other ’side’ projects —   
Starting a foundation and getting 501c3 status for JohnnyKicksCancer. HUGE.  I had no idea how big the project would be, but it’s been fun and definitely worth it.  We’re still fine tuning everything,  but I will keep you guys posted….
Probably the biggest project as well as the most bitter sweet, is the house.  We are tearing it down — actually someone is going to haul it off — suckers!  To demo a house is like 12-15 k — and that’s the ‘bro’ price, if they take it, it’s practically free. Estimates to fix our house are around 80-100k, but if you’ve ever done any home improvements before, you know that number will increase to at least double the price of your original estimate…  It will be interesting to watch them cut the house in half or whatever they do to it to be able to drive it down the highway.   
Last week my sister and I packed the house.  The whole thing.  Everyone, even the place where we bought the packing supplies, thought it would take a minimum of 4-5 days.  But like I said, we are moms on a mission — so get the hell out of our way.  Movers are coming this week to take everything to storage and then the ‘house movers’ will take the house about a week later!  
Now all we have to do is find a new place to live…  actually we have.  Found a builder, house plans and now all we have to do it choose tile and paint colors.  Sounds simple enough… that part should go smoothly, right?

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