Children's Miracle Network Events

Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital

CMN EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Benefit Concert Featuring "Windsor Drive"
Looking for an evening out with good food and great music? A customer appreciation benefit concert will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Sundance Chalet at the Granite Peak Ski Area, Rib Mountain. This concert is in conjunction with the Grand Re-opening of Elegant Occasions. The opening act is Jim Carlson and the feature band will be “Windsor Drive”. Tickets are available at Elegant Occasions in Rib Mountain (across from Barnes & Noble) at a two-for-one price until August 20th or at the door for $10. The proceeds from the food sales will go to Children’s Miracle Network. This event is sponsored by Elegant Occasions, Adrenalign Marketing and 95.5 WIFC.

Mellen Miracle Fest
Mellen Miracle Fest will take place on August 27-28, 2010 at the Last Call Bar in Mellen, Wisconsin with proceeds benefitting Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). The event is being organized by Erin Gordon, mother of Branen Gordon, one of the 2010 local CMN Champions, as well as family and friends. The two day event will start with a bake sale at Northern State Bank and Superior Credit Union. On Saturday, August 28, there will be numerous activities to enjoy including a smear tournament, dinner, dance, meat raffle, silent auction and other raffle opportunities. When Branen Gordon was born, he appeared to be a healthy baby boy. Then imagine finding out that your newborn baby has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, an inherited life-threatening disease. When Dennis and Erin Gordon learned that their infant son’s test had come back positive, they thought their world was tumbling down. Instead they discovered their world was blessed with a determined, energetic and optimistic young man. Along with brother, Bray, the Gordon family relies on hope – hope that Branen will have a long and healthy life ahead of him.

Celebration Builds a Brighter Future
The 2010 Children’s Miracle Network Celebration is now history, but the gifts given and the memories made will last forever. The final total from the 2009 Children’s Miracle Network campaign was revealed at the conclusion of the 19-hour live broadcast of the celebration at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital on Sunday, June 6 in Marshfield. With great anticipation, hosts Melissa Langbehn, Bryon Graff and Pam Warnke announced an exciting sum of $639,974. This year’s campaign theme is Building a Brighter Future. During the Celebration, the Mother Frances Streitel Conference Center was transformed into a live television broadcast studio. Cameras, lights and decorated building blocks created a fun and exciting atmosphere for everyone who attended. As always, the highlight of the weekend’s event was the miracle children who courageously shared their stories. The 2010 miracle children included Scedra Stoffel of Nekoosa, who shared her journey with Cerebral Palsy; Noah Eckelberg of Spencer, who was diagnosed with Spina Bifida ; Desiree Harhay of Wisconsin Rapids, who experienced severe injures to her ankle and foot when she was hit by a car; Branen Gordon of Mellen, who has Cystic Fibrosis; and Will Rode of Rib Mountain, who shared his story about his courageous battle with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) a form of blood cancer. Although these five children are from areas throughout north central Wisconsin, range from 5 -11 years of age, and have different stories to share – they have one thing in common…they are all miracles! Thanks to the staff at WAOW TV-9, and guest appearances by Y106.5’s AJ & Pat, Brad Austin and Ed Paulson, viewers were treated to many inspirational stories, as well as check presentations and special interviews. The funds raised in 2009 have already been put to work through programs that benefit children. There were requests for nearly $1 million to fund projects to benefit children – however, only $639,974 available to distribute. Many worthy projects were denied because the funds were not available. Every dollar donated is greatly appreciated, and every penny of that will be used to help even more children in our area. A special thank-you to everyone who contributed to the fundraising success for the 2010 campaign to help build a brighter future for the children of north central Wisconsin.

Patti Shafto-Carlson
Director of Development - Children's Services
cmn@ministryhealth.org