Thank you Priscilla!

Priscilla, who works at Resto-Pub Alibi, recently organized an Acoustic Night. Bands performed and she and her sister also sang. During the event, a bucket was passed around to collect donations for cancer research. I was honored that Priscilla chose to give me the proceeds of that collection - $310.00!! - to be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and added to my DorisDollars fundraising total. I delivered the donation today to M. Bonneau at the CCS office. He was very pleased!

Thank you so much Priscilla - and everyone at Resto-Pub Alibi - for continuing to support me in my fundraising. It means so much to me!

Love,
Kelsey
xoxo

A really wonderful surprise!

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to post and let you know about something great that happened! Resto-Pub Alibi presented me with another cheque resulting from their cribbage tournament.

I was very pleased to be able to deliver $250.00 more to the Canadian Cancer Society office!!

This is also really exciting because it pushes me to a new level on my fundraising thermometer. If you haven't seen it yet, you'll find it at the bottom of the righthand column of this site. I've finally broken into the three thousands now! YAY!!! I'm SO happy about that and I want to again thank all the wonderful people at Resto-Pub Alibi for caring so deeply and helping me so much!!

Love,
Kelsey
xoxo

Thank you Resto-Pub Alibi!

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned in my last entry, Resto-Pub Alibi held a cribbage tournament this past Saturday, March 15th, 2008.

Through the kindness and generosity of the players and owners (Brian Finnerty, Carolyn Finnerty and Darlene Hunt), I'm so happy to let you know that, today, I delivered a cheque for $327.00 to the Canadian Cancer Society office!! Thank you so much to each and every person who participated in the half and half draw and contributed money to the pot.

My fundraising thermometer has been updated, which makes me feel really good, and encourages me to keep pushing ahead. I will post again just as soon as I have news about my upcoming ideas and activities.

Love,
Kelsey

Springing ahead!

Hello everyone! It sure doesn't feel like spring yet :( We have SOOOOO much snow! But the time changed and I guess we can pretend that it's going to be spring soon.

I wanted to update you on a few things. Resto-Pub Alibi is having their second annual Cribbage Tournament on Saturday, March 15th. Also, for the second year in a row, they have chosen to donate their proceeds to help me with my DorisDollars fundraising goal! I am very proud to have them support me and will be really excited to turn over whatever is raised to Mr. Bonneau at the Canadian Cancer Society office. I haven't seen him in awhile and I hope he knows that I haven't given up!!

I've also just started planning another event - a garage sale - for late spring/early summer. My first one was successful so, with the support of my family, I'm going to hold another! We have to wait for our town to release the dates for 2008 (there are only two official weekends where we have permission to hold garage sales) to know if it can be done on the earlier date. If not, I'll plan it for the fall.

I'll keep you posted on how things are going!!

Love,
Kelsey

Did you think I had disappeared? :)

Hi everybody! I know it has been a few months since I made my last blog post. I apologize if you thought I had deserted "DorisDollars" but, believe me, I have NOT. I had my first summer job this year, babysitting, and that kept me busy right up until school started again. I am now a Grade 8 student and I am still in the Challenge Program at my high school. We work hard in this program but I like it very much because we are a group of students that the school calls "academically motivated" -- I just think of us as the kids that actually like school. Just don't tell anyone that, ok? ;)

Last night, we had our Academic Awards for the 2006/2007 school year (Grade 7 for me). I was really excited and really proud to have won four departmental awards for having the highest grades, in specific subjects, in my program. I was honoured to receive the awards for English, Francais (French), Geographie (Geography) and Histoire (History). As you can tell, by the way I typed them, I took three of these subjects in French. I was also very surprised and happy to receive the Grade 7 "Student Spirit Award" for my participation on Student Council.

I wanted to tell you all about the awards night because I think it's important to let people know that I have not given up on my fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society -- I have just been working very hard on my education and also for my school. I am thinking, lately, that I might like to be either a psychologist (as I've mentioned here before) or maybe a psychiatrist. I know that it will take a lot of dedication to accomplish either of these things someday... but I will also stay dedicated to the memory of my Grandma and my efforts for "DorisDollars." I promise to keep you all up to date, too, just as often as I can.

Thank you, as always, for all that you do to encourage me and to support me in my dreams and goals.

Love,
Kelsey.

"Relay for Life"

Last night was very special to me. I was invited, by Mr. Bonneau of the CCS office, to attend our community's 5th annual "Relay for Life." I was not part of a team but was there as a guest. They wanted to recognize me for DorisDollars!

For anyone who doesn't know, the "Relay for Life" is made up of teams of 10 people who walk, run or stroll around a track in a non-competitive relay. Each member of a team must raise at least $100... but, of course, many raise much more. It's a 12-hour event and the teams walk all night. People on the teams might be friends, family or maybe they work together. We saw people of all ages.

You can tell who is who at the event by their tshirts: team members wear white ones, volunteers wear blue. Then, there is a sea of bright yellow shirts. Those people are the survivors. We were amazed by just how many yellow shirts we could see.

The relay is started by a Survivors Lap. It's a victory lap to celebrate their courage in the battle against cancer and to give people hope. A special moment was held with all of the survivors. They did a butterfly release. It was the first time we had ever seen something like it and it was so beautiful. Two ladies read what the Native American legend tells us about the butterflies and then each survivor was given a cardboard holder containing their own live butterfly. Here is the legend:

If anyone desires a wish to come true, they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since they make no sound, they can't tell anyone but the Great Spirit, so by making the wish and releasing the butterfly, it will be taken to the heavens and granted.

My sister, Robyn, filmed a short video of the moment the butterflies were released. You can watch it here. You might find it hard to see them but they hovered just above people's heads for a bit and it shows some fluttering against the sky.

I was surprised when my mom and I were standing watching the release and a lady came to me and gave me a cardboard container with a butterfly of my own! I slowly opened it and there was my pretty black and orange butterfly. It stood up but didn't fly away. It walked gently across the cardboard and then it stood on my finger! I stood for a long time, with that beautiful butterfly on my finger, and the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" playing for the crowd. My mom and I were both crying. I made my wish and the butterfly flew... but it didn't go away. It came back and landed on the ground beside me. A lady bent down to pick it up and then, at the moment, it flew off into the sky, carrying my wish.

After that, the teams were called, one by one to the track and the relay began. That is when they came to get me. They took me out to the front of the tent, at the edge of the track, and a very nice man by the name of Guy Girardeau spoke. He told everyone about me and DorisDollars and said how proud they were that I was doing this project, especially at my age. Then they gave me a white team tshirt and some nice pins and everyone was applauding. I felt so proud and my mom said I had the biggest smile on my face!

For the rest of the night, there was always something going on. We watched many people shave their heads in support of the cause. One girl (who was maybe 15 or 16) decided on the spot that, if the crowd could raise $100 right then and there, she would shave her long hair... and she did it! That inspired many more people to do the same. An extra $1,000 was raised just during that event. The dj played great music and people clapped and danced and cheered. It was FUN!

As it got later, I was anxious to see the Luminary Ceremony. The luminaries are white bags containing candles. People buy them and have the names of loved ones placed on the bags. Then, volunteers place all the bags around the edge of the track. They help to light the way and inspire the walkers too! I wanted to see ours lit in memory of my Grandma. I was so sad when the skies opened up and it POURED. There was thunder and lightening... but the teams never stopped walking! Finally, they decided to go ahead and try to light the luminaries. Two bagpipers walked the track and candles were lit as they passed. Not every one was lit but I felt really good seeing those flickering lights.

At midnight, we left for home. We didn't stay all night this year but, next year, I think I'd like to be on a team. Actually, I think I will try to start a team for DorisDollars. My family is ready to walk with me! So, I know it's a year away but it's another way that I can work towards my goal.

I would like to thank Mr. Paul Bonneau for inviting me to the "Relay for Life." I would like to thank M. et Mme Hurteau for meeting my family at the Welcome tent, taking me where I needed to go and explaining what would happen. A special thank you (and another hug!) to Mr. Guy Girardeau for sitting with us and telling us about the relay, the CCS and for offering to help me with anything I need to reach my goal. Mr. Girardeau had only just finished his chemotherapy and yet he was there to volunteer and even to celebrate me. The whole night was a real inspiration and one that I don't think I will ever forget!

Love, Kelsey.

There goes that thermometer again!!

Hi everyone! I'm back! I've been waiting to share some great news... and now I can!! Recently, a local business, Resto-Pub Alibi, decided that the Canadian Cancer Society, through Doris Dollars, would be the beneficiary of one of their events.

In February, they held a cribbage tournament. I honestly didn't know what cribbage was -- but I sure do now!! During a break in the tournament, they had a "half and half" draw and there was also a raffle for a beautiful set of golf clubs. I was able to visit with everyone during the break and I helped to sell the "half and half" tickets. It was fun to do this because I was able to meet people and tell them bits and pieces about my Grandma and Doris Dollars. Everyone was really kind to me. I was proud to be told that I am doing good work.

Today, I received an exciting phone call. They had a cheque for me to pick up!! I am SO happy to be able to tell you that the amazing people at Resto-Pub Alibi made a donation of $1,000.00 towards my Doris Dollars goal!!

When I picked up their cheque, I presented them with a certificate in recognition of their generosity and support. Then, we went straight to the Canadian Cancer Society office and gave them the good news... AND the cheque, of course!! They sure were pleased!

I would like to thank Brian and Carolyn Finnerty for allowing me to participate in this event and for choosing Doris Dollars to benefit in such a special way. I really appreciate that you feel that my fundraising efforts are worthwhile and that you are giving me such wonderful encouragement, especially within my own community.

I would also like to thank my aunt, Darlene Hunt. Auntie Darlene, you are always right there to help me, encourage me and back me up 200% in everything I do. It was so much fun working beside you, selling tickets for the "half and half" draw. Thank you for accepting my certificate on behalf of Resto-Pub Alibi and for posing for the picture! ;)

And, to everyone who participated in this event, I hope you will consider this a personal thank you... not only from the Canadian Cancer Society... but also from me and my Grandma. She would be so proud!

Love,
Kelsey