You Guys Pretty Much Rock!!

You guys are the BEST!! We have started picking up the Every Penny Counts jars this week and JUST as we thought...you guys rock!!

If you still have an EPC jar at your location please email us at thejrgfoundation@hotmail.com and we will make arrangements to pick it up.

Thank you!! :)

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Also, the JRG Memorial Golf Tourney is scheduled for Ausgust 28th NOT June 26th like I said in the last post. We will have online resgistration available soon on our website.

If you would like to sponsor this event or donate to the silent auction please email thejrgfoundation@hotmail.com or call (479)305-0448.

CDH Awareness Day and Other Stuff

A big thank you to everyone who wore turquoise in honor of CDH Awareness Day. A few of Jack's fans sent pictures of themselves wearing turquoise yesterday.



And tons more sent sweet emails and messages on Facebook letting us know they were wearing turquoise. We truly appreciate it.

On another note, the 3rd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament is coming up on June 26th. Details coming soon!!

Also, if you live locally go check out a sweet little store called Riffraff. It's an amazing place for gifts and home decor...PLUS they are very supportive of the JRG Foundation!! We love them. :)

Every Penny Counts will wrap up on April 15th. I truly can't WAIT to see how much money we have raised just by collecting spare change. I spoke with a lady yesterday that told me their jar had overflowed twice and they kept filling it up. Thank you!!! We are so blessed by all of you that there is NO way we could ever re-pay you. But, thank you a million times for helping up keep our baby's memory alive.

March = CDH Awareness

If you would like a turquoise "Love, Jack" bracelet or a turquoise ribbon to rock on March 31st please contact us and we will send you one. It's really important that we team together to raise awareness for this little known birth defect!!

Also, I want to take this time to mention two other organizations that are very dear to my heart! These two organizations were started by other CDH mommas and have amazing missions! I know they would appreciate your support as much as we do!

Please check out the Parker Reese Foundation and Project Sweet Pea!

Great Start

Our Every Penny Counts fundraiser kicked off on March 1st and we are off to a GREAT start! I have gotten several messages letting us know that the jars are filling up quickly. That is awesome!! We are so thankful for the support that we have received for this! It's been amazing, really.

Thank you, again, to the local businesses, churches, organizations, groups and classrooms who are working hard to gather change for us. We are humbled!!

Every Penny Counts wraps up on April 15th and I can't wait to announce how much money was raised. I know we will be blown away!!

It's All About the Location

As I mentioned before, the Every Penny Counts fundraiser will kick-off on March 1, 2010. Our goal is to raise $2,000 in six weeks and I think we can do it!!

Here is a list of participating locations.

Fayetteville:
Bella Jack’s
Spoiled the Salon
Briar Patch Bridal and Formal Wear
Supercuts
Nationwide Insurance – Cheryl Gorton-Long
Physicians Specialty Hospital
Boars Head Barbeque
Willy D’s
Clinique – NWA Mall
Bronson Abstract Co.
Fayetteville Collision Center
Johnson Hardware


Huntsville/Hindsville Area:
Home and Heart
Anderson’s
LaBarge
Cut Loose Salon
Presley Chapel Women’s Group
Mrs. Spurlock’s 2nd Grade Class - Watson Primary
Huntsville United Methodist Church
Huntsville Middle School Teachers
Clifty General Store
Fauxever Yours


Springdale:
JB Hunt
Allstate Little Agency
Coleman Children’s Academy
Westside Family Clinic
Pinnacle Air


Central Arkansas:
Bank of Oklahoma (BOK)
Arkansas Children’s Hospital NICU

If you would like your location added to the list please email thejrgfoundation@hotmail.com.

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help with this fundraiser!!! We appreciate it more than you know!!

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We have been having trouble for a while now getting emails so we have created a new email address to insure that we receive all our messages. In the future please send all emails to thejrgfoundation@hotmail.com.

Thank you!!

It's Been Awhile

It has been quite a while since we have updated the blog!

We have lots of exciting things planned for 2010! We are hosting a poker run with a bit of a twist late this Spring that is sure to be lots of fun! We are hosting the 3rd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament this Summer and in October we will host the 4th Annual Jack's Baby Shower.

In addition to those events we are doing a couple of new fundraisers this year. On March 1st we are launching "Every Penny Counts." There will be donation jars set up at locations in Northwest and Central Arkansas where people can donate their spare change. This fundraiser will run for six weeks. On March 1st the donation jars wil be dropped off at various locations and on April 15th we will pick them up. The place who has raised the most funds will receive a JRG Foundation t-shirt for all participants and will be featured in the local newspaper. We have had a tremendous response to this fundraiser and we are looking forward to seeing how much money can be raised just by collecting spare change. Every Penny Counts!! :)

In other exciting news, the JRG Foundation was featured in a local magazine in January. You can click here to read the article. Thanks to Peekaboo Magazine for the wonderful article!

The 3rd Annual Jack's Baby Shower was the most successful one to date. We collected tons of donations for Arkansas Children's Hospital NICU and Ronald McDonald House! Thank you to all of those who donated!!





As always, thank you for your support!! Stay tuned for updates on The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation!

Golf Touney and Updates

I would like to take a minute to thank everyone involved in The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament. It would not have been possible without the players, sponsors and volunteers!! We also had a great silent auction and would like to thank the people/companies that donated items to that! I'm not sure yet of the exact total that we raised because we still have some expenses to take care of, but I do know that we raised several thousand dollars that will be a tremendous help for families of sick babies in the year to come!!

We are so blessed to have so much support!! So, thank you so, so much!!! We are so grateful!!!

Also, the date is set for the (re-scheduled) Jack's Cruise for Compassion Poker Run. It will take place on September 19th and details will be announced soon.

Please, be in prayer for the babies listed on the side bar. It seems like the outcome of CDH comes in waves. For a while, a lot of babies will not do well and then the tide will turn and the next few babies that are born with CDH do really well. Maybe there's no truth to that at all...who knows???

Also, we are approaching what would have been Jack's 2nd birthday on July 6th. It will be a bittersweet day for us, no doubt. So, if you think about it, please say a prayer for us that day...or just stop and thank God that Jack graced this earth for 6 amazing weeks.

Prayers for Sweet Babies

Kamryn has arrived and as of now is holding her own in the NICU. Her twin sister, Brooke, has also been taken to the NICU due to some fluid on her lungs, which is not a huge concern...but still, please be in prayer for both baby girls and their Momma and Daddy.

Also, there was a little boy born yesterday (locally) that was not in good shape at all when he was delivered...like, barely alive. After some investigating, it was found that the placenta has not been working properly for a few weeks and he had been deprived of oxygen and nutrients for quite some time. Please, keep baby Cooper and his parents in your prayers. Things are not looking good for little Cooper. Bless their hearts.

June Updates

I have been a terrible blog updater...I promise I will try to do better.

I have some excting news! Most of you will probably remember Quintin.



He has spent the last 19 months (yes, 19!!!) in Arkansas Children's Hospital. He was born with CDH and has dealt with many obstacles in his little life, but by God's grace, he is still with us and is GOING HOME on June 30th!!!! Praise God. Please, pray for his Momma, Katrina, as she adjusts to their new life at home. It will be HARD work, but very worth it! :)

Please be in prayer for sweet Avery and her parents (my dear friends, Shane and Carissa) as they continue down the CDH road of uncertainty.

Also, please be in prayer for Kamryn, who will be born any day now and will have to fight for her little life as well.

The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday (June 20th) at Oakridge Golf Course in Huntsville, AR. We are super excited about it and are praying it's a huge success so that we will be able to help even more families in the coming year!!!

Jack's Cruise for Compassion Poker Run had to be cancelled due to MAJOR rain, but has been rescheduled for September 19, 2009. I will post details as soon as we get past the golf tournament and I can think straight. :)

Thank you all for your continued support!!

Prayers, Prayers and More Prayers

Little Kaden lost his battle with CDH, so please keep his family in your prayers. Bless their hearts.

Little Ruby is still fighting and will hopefully overcome all the CDH hurdles.

Kaileigh was born 10 months ago as a preemie and was not expected to make it, but has defied the odds all along. Kaileigh has not woken up since yesterday and it appears she is brain dead. Please pray for a miracle and if that's not His will...then pray for peace for Kaileigh's parents.

Carissa and Shane are expecting Avery, who will be born with CDH, on May 12th. Please pray for them as well.

Also, if you are somebody who has been touched by CDH in any way, shape or form, please check out this blog and see how you can help the CDH community raise awareness! Way to go, Kellie!!

Prayers Needed!!!

Please be in prayer for Ruby and Kaden. They are fighting will all they have and are needing our prayers right now, as well as their parents who need strength and peace to get through this. Please, pray that God will uphold them during this time.

Also, please pray for my sweet friend, Carissa, who is expecting a baby with CDH name Avery. Last week at their doctor appointment they were given a date of May 5th for Avery's arrival. Please pray for them as the anticipate Avery's arrival and her battle with CDH.

Carissa and I...

Final Poker Run Details

Ok, we've made a few changes, but I think we got it all worked out!!

Jack's 2nd Annual Cruise for Compassion Poker Run will take place on Saturday, May
2nd! We are listed as an "official" Springfest event!!!

Registration: 9:00am at George's on Dickson St. in Fayetteville with the last bike out by 11:00am

Route:
George's on Dickson - Fayetteville
Iron Horse Saloon - Prairie Grove
Cherokee Casino - Siloam Springs
Jose's Southwest Grill - Springdale
George's on Dickson - Fayetteville

Entry fee is $25.00 for the first rider and $15.00 for the 2nd (on the same bike).

Additional hands can be purchased for $15.00 or one additional card for $5.00.

Cash prizes will be given for best hand, worst hand and the hand with the most Jack's.

And even if you don't ride you can purchase a poker hand at our Springfest booth.

T-shirts will be given to pre-registered participants. You may download a registration form at www.jackryangillham.org or you may register on the day of the event. Pre-registration deadline in 4/15/09.

We are also needing volunteers!!!!!!!

For additional questions or to sign up to be a volunteer for this event please send an email to jackscruise@gmail.com or call Bethany @ (479)305-0448.

Thank you!!!!!

On the Radio

For those of you who are local and can tune in...I will be on 104.9 at 8:00am tomorrow to promote the JRG Foundation and our upcoming events. Listen if you can!!

Also, please be in prayer for the families who have recently lost babies and for those who are expecting sick babies. Thank you.

Angel Girl

Please pray for this sweet family as the deal with the loss of their baby girl, Addison. I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Also, I recently met a family from NW Arkansas that is expecting a baby girl with CDH due in May. Please pray for sweet Avery and her family.

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Also, I have had some trouble with the foundation email lately. If you have tried to contact me and have not gotten a response, please email me at bethanygillham@hotmail.com. Thank you!!

Favorite Local Non-Profit

If you have a Facebook account please visit Keep Fayetteville Funky's page and vote for The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation as the favorite local non-profit. We are one of the finalists, which is an honor in itself!!!

If you do not live in NWA or Keep Fayetteville Funky is not one of your Facebook friends, you may find them by searching for their name on Facebook.

Thank you for your vote!!!

Big News!

Jack's Cruise for Compassion 2nd Annual Poker Run - May 2, 2009. The Poker Run will take place during Spring Fest this year and will begin at Jose's on Dickson St. in Fayetteville. Stops will include Huntsville, Eureka Springs, CHEROKEE CASINO (How fun!!) in Siloam Springs and will end at Jose's in Springdale with great food and LIVE music!! Online registration will soon be available at www.jackryangillham.org.

The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament - June 20, 2009 @ Oakridge Golf Course in Huntsville, AR. There will be free food and drinks all day!! A reception will follow where prizes will be distributed to players, as well as food, music and a silent auction!! Online registration will soon be available at www.jackryangillham.org.

Jack's 3rd Annual Baby Shower - October 4, 2009 @ Mitchusson Park in Huntsville, AR. We will gather needed items to donate to the NICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. A list of needed items will be available for viewing shortly at www.jackryangillham.org.

For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities please email me at bethany@jrgfoundation.org.

Foundation News and Prayer Requests

The JRG Foundation will have a booth at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Day at the NWA Mall on March 5th from 4-6:00pm. So, come out and see us and check out some other neat non-profits as well.

We are getting all the dates lined out for our 2009 events and are looking forward to doing more for families of critically ill babies. 2008 was SUCH a great first year, though. :)

Our first event of the year will be a poker run followed by our 2nd annual golf tournament on June 20th. We will be busy, but it's always so much fun!!

Will you please pray for this little girl? And for Leighton, who is recovering from a heart transplant? Thanks so much!

And as always, for more information on our foundation, its upcoming events, volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website or email me at bethany@jrgfoundation.org.

Keep checking back for updates!

Jack's Story

I was interviewed yesterday evening by a representative for the National Center for Prevention of Birth Defects. She asked lots of questions about my pregnancy with Jack, the prognosis we were given and the obsticles he faced in his life. She asked if we (as a foundation) would be willing to spread the word about genetic testing to find a cause (and therefore a cure) for CDH. HECK YES WE WOULD!!! So, any CDH family out there, we HIGHLY encourage you to get as involved as you can in the study of birth defects. Your DNA is priceless for these studies!!!

The story on Jack will run in their national newsletter and will be available for viewing online. I will let you know when that will be.

Also, if you are interested in receiving the JRG Foundation's electronic newsletter, please send your email address to bethany@jrgfoundation.org.

Another Angel

Please pray for this family. Their sweet baby girl, Ryann, lost her battle with CDH yesterday afternoon. She was SUCH a beautiful baby and I'm sure she's an even more beautiful angel.



I know her family is broken-hearted, as well as her big sister Reggan. Bless their hearts.

Thanks for a Great Year

We are looking forward to 2009 and to the continued success of the JRG Foundation. We have added two new events to our schedule this year, and while the foundation will surely keep us very busy, it will also reward us in the most amazing of ways. We are so blessed to do what we do and to help these families. It is truly a blessing.

We'd like to thank everyone who donated their money, time and energy to the foundation in 2008 and pray that we will have just as much support in 2009. We're honored that people (even total strangers) believe in our mission and are willing to support us.

One of my favorite quotes is, "You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

We will never be able to repay you for the gifts you have given to us. Thank you for your contniued support.

For more information on our foundation, our history and our upcoming events, please visit www.jackryangillham.org.