April 2010

Sorry for the delay in reporting to you on the latest Race Committee meeting. It has been crazy!

The meeting was held on Wednesday, April 21, and started with tears and laughter with the showing of the 2009 Race video. You can access it here. You might want to have your tissue handy.

Donna issued a challenge to have 10,000 "people who like us" (fans was much easier to type) in Facebook by the end of April. If you're a facebooker, please join us at Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Arkansas.


Melissa and Wade with Thoma & Thoma were our special guests today.


They have been working with Donna on this year's theme and have lots of exciting plans. The theme, you ask?


The grants luncheon took place on March 31. $1.2 million were given to 24 grantees. Sherrye also reported that UAMS has been given a Promise Grant from national in collaboration with several other organizations to give a "vaccine" to women considered high risk for breast cancer. Is the CURE around the corner?????

Committee Reports:

Online Fundraising is working on the Hot Pink Heroes Luncheon, t-shirts and prizes.

E-Chair - please let Ann know if you have anything to communicate. Angela is looking for stories about interesting people for the blog.

Sponsorship has certainly been busy recruiting new and returning sponsors for the Race. Channel 7 will be on stage this year. Thanks to Thoma & Thoma, we have a beautiful color sponsorship brochure this year, and we have added some special sponsorship opportunities. A new addition this year is a Kids for the Cure sponsor, Burger King. This announcement was made by Ann Brown in costume.


Another new sponsorship this year is the Block Adoptions. This sponsorship provides the company/organization/individual with a 3' x 5' banner of their logo in the intersection of their designated block. The cost is $1000. Let us know if you are interested.

Kids for the Cure is working on a new event this year--an actual race for the kids! We don't have details yet, but this will NOT be on Race Day. Kickoff of the t-shirt contest will take place at Dino Dash and we will be contacting school art teachers to encourage them to have their students participate.

Training Program - Tbyrd promises that participants will do the race at a whole new level. Walkers to joggers to runners to racers. They will work on both health and fitness. The 6-week program will begin just after Labor Day and will meet at War Memorial Stadium on Tuesdays and Thursdays with one Wednesday. There will be a $10 fee.

Three Miles of Men has also issued a Facebook challenge to have 400 "people who like us" by the end of April. Again, if you are a facebooker, please join us at Komen for the Cure Arkansas- 3 Miles of Men.

Put a Fork In It is looking for new and returning restaurants to participate. Also, KFC currently has a promo with their Buckets for a Cure. For every pink bucket, they will donate 50 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. A KFC in Lexington, KY painted their store pink. You can also go to www.bucketsforacure.com and post a breast cancer story or message.

Executive Director Report:
Sherrye reported that BreastCare has less money for their program. We are working on public policy......
Kelly Kreth received the National Co-survivor Award.
The Travs will once again auction pink jerseys at their game on Mothers Day at Dickey Stephens Park.

The meeting closed with Donna presenting door prizes to Melissa and Wade--no, not the crown.


I know that Judi's reports are more exciting, but she was unable to attend. Pray that she is healthy and available for the next meeting.

Jill

Mother's Day Weekend Events

Plans for the weekend?

If not, check out the Diamonds and the Travelers games this weekend. Both are doing something to benefit Komen!

The Arkansas Diamonds Arena Football Game
Saturday, May 8th
7:00 PM
Verizon Arena, North Little Rock
A portion of ticket sales are being donated to the AR Affiliate

The Arkansas Travelers Baseball Game
Sunday, May 9th
2:00 PM
Dickey Stephens Park, North Little Rock
The players will be wearing pink jerseys that will be autographed and auctioned - with all proceeds benefiting Komen.

Happy Mother's Day,
Jill

Very Important Dates

Yes, it is spring here in Arkansas.
How can we tell? The flowers are popping up all over, and the Komen calendar is beginning to bloom with all sorts of activities!

This weekend, April 17 -18, the 3rd annual Kick for the Cure Adult Soccer Tournament will be held at Burns Park in North Little Rock. Komen will have an education booth set up during the tournament and we are in need of volunteers to help staff it. If you are interested, the shifts are:
9 AM to Noon - Need 1 or 2 people
Noon - 5 PM - Need 1 or 2 people
Please let Emily Story know if you are interested in volunteering this weekend. You may contact her at
(501) 202-4399
(501) 975-2502 fax or http://www.komenarkansas.org/

If you can't volunteer, then take your family out for a fun weekend. All the proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation.

Don't put your calendars away just yet--for on May 29- May 30, 2010 at the Smith Arena in Rose Bud, Arkansas, Danielle Smith will be hosting Ropin' 4 a Cure! This event, in memory of her mother Betty Smith, promises lots of action as cowboys dressed in Pink will be lassoing their hearts out for a good cause.
For more information please email smith.arena@yahoo.com or go to their website at http://www.smitharena.com/
Again, all proceeds will go toward the Arkansas Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Then as we go through summer, we gear up for our highly anticipated Team Captains' Party!
The Party will be at the Patrick Henry Hays Center in North Little Rock at 2 pm. We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces there, as well as welcoming all the new Team Captains.

Remember to keep this date circled in pink on your calendar:
October 16, 2010--the 17th annual Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure will be happening in downtown Little Rock!

We will have more activities coming your way, so leave plenty of room on your datebook.

Now, go out and enjoy those flowers!

peace & hugs,
Judi
royalpinkbeatle@gmail.com

Beginnings....

Spring is here; change is in the air; and are you ready to get running? I hope so, because Donna Easley, our 2010 Chair, held the first Committee meeting on March 17th to begin planning the 2010 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure. Everyone met at the Komen affiliate office, and Papa John's once again provided us with their delicious pizza.
Donna reminded everyone, first and foremost, to take care of you. Remember, that is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Then we headed off into Race Committee introductions, and afterwards, the reporting began fast & furious.
Ellen Kreth, 2009 Race Chair, announced that we raised almost $2 million, and over 45,000 people registered for the 2009 Race. She then reminded everyone that 75% of all money raised stays here in Arkansas, and the other 25% goes to National, but it all goes toward research.

By the time we'd had our first meeting, $112,000 had been raised already--which is a good start toward our goal this year of $2 million.
We'd also like to mention that Ellen's husband, Kelly, has won a Komen National Co-Survivor award. This is one of 6 National Awards given out by Komen each year. Yeah Kelly! Ellen wrote a very touching letter about Kelly's support and love for her when she was diagnosed and through her treatment.

The Sponsorship committee reported that they have a new sponsorship packet, which Thoma Thoma produced this year. Many of our great sponsors have returned this year such as Papa John's and Kimberly-Clark. Russell LeMay will be sponsoring the Port a Potties.
A change for this year: a new program called Block Adoption. We will have 33 blocks offered for $1000 each. These blocks will be printed with the sponsors' business logos along the Race route. So if you know of a business who would like to sponsor a block, please let us know. This is a quick and easy way to get your business' logo out to at least 45,000 racers.
Mark your calendars: The Team Captains Party will be July 18th at the Patrick Henry Hays Center in North Little Rock. Last year's party was set up as a health fair/pep rally, and it was such a success that the same format will be used again. We do need 10 door prizes for the Team Captains Party. (Side note: I was a Team Captain last year, and I won the pearl necklace earring set that was donated by JC Penney. You wouldn't believe all the compliments I get whenever I wear them.) If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact us.
The committee for "Because I Care" is thinking of changing the name, as some people are confused by what it means. So that committee will be busy thinking of new names while they are also doing more work to simplify online fundraising.
They would also like to work with the Teams Committee to start a mentoring program for Team Captains to increase fundraising participation. If anyone has any ideas about this--please let us know. Being a Team Captain can be a bit confusing at times, and so having someone to contact to ask about registrations, shirts, etc. would be a great help. Stay tuned for more info.
The Race Brochure will be circulated at the next meeting for all to make necessary changes.
Ellen started a great new Training program last year as an opportunity for Race participants to get in shape for the race. They will offer it again this year, and Tjuana Byrd (TByrd) has agreed to chair the program again. (Go TByrd!) (Another side note: I ran into a sorority sister I hadn't seen in quite some time because her mother & I both participated in the fitness program last fall.)
The 2010 Pasta Party is planned for Dickey-Stephens Park on October 15th; they are working to improve the sound system so that everyone will be able to hear.
The Registration committee has lots of new faces that will be helping out at the Race Space, which will again be at the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Centre. Think about having your team volunteer this year at the Race Space--you will meet a lot of the friendly Komen folks, plus you get a chance to do some early Christmas shopping, all while helping a great cause.
The E-Chair folks are working on our Facebook pages as well as tweeting on Twitter. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Whew! So much news and that was just our first meeting! Remember, the reason why we are an award winning affiliate is because of YOU, our hardworking volunteers, friends, families, and participants. YOU are the reason we are the FOURTH largest Race in the world, and because of you, we are well on our way to winning the race against breast cancer.
Until next time,

Peace and hugs
Judi King
royalpinkbeatle@gmail.com

Sponsorships

The Sponsorship Committee is in full swing asking sponsors to renew their support for 2010 and recruiting other companies and organizations to also invest in the lives of Arkansans.

If your company or organization is interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2010 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^®, please visit our website for more information and to download the 2010 Sponsor Book.

Thanks,
Jill

Events

I don't know whether you are aware of it, but there are lots of opportunities to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure even though it is not Race time. Here's a little information about a few things going on:

Tuesday, February 9
8:00 p.m. at Juanita's
The Pink Ribbon Comedy Tour
"Laughter is the BREAST Medicine"
Tickets $10
This group of guys is traveling across the country raising money for Komen in honor of Kevin's mother who was diagnosed recently with breast cancer. They will be making a stop at Juanita's for one show.



Wednesday, February 10
UALR WBCA Pink Zone
Jack Stephens Center at UALR
7:00 p.m.
Pink t-shirts will be given to the first 500 fans. Breast cancer survivors will be honored at half-time. Click here for more information.


Friday, February 19
Fashion show hosted by Korto Momolu
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Dillard's Park Plaza

Central Arkansas resident Korto Momolu will unveil her new line of jewelry and accessories titled, Korto Momolu for Dillard's. Momolu, who gained international acclaim as the runner up on the hit TV series Project Runway, has partnered with Dillard's to produce a collection of bags and jewelry that will be sold in select Dillard's stores nationwide.

The launch will be hosted by Momolu and include a free runway fashion show. Korto will show her Fashion Week presentation in partnership with the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and feature the auction of a custom designed, limited edition piece of jewelry with all proceeds going to the Affiliate.


Saturday-Sunday, April 17-18
Kick for the Cure Arkansas
Burns Park

Kick for the Cure Arkansas is a spring soccer tournament weekend hosted at Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The primary purpose of the weekend is to raise awareness and money for the Arkansas Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Click here for more information.


Saturday-Sunday, May 29-30
Ropin' 4 a Cure
Smith Arena, Rose Bud, Arkansas

Danielle is making plans for the 2010 Ropin' 4 a Cure to be held Memorial Day Weekend. It currently has the 2009 information, but click here for more information.


Coffee for a Cure
Please don't forget about our continuous fundraiser, Coffee for a Cure.
The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has teamed with Premium Refreshment to bag 100% Free Trade Ugandan coffee. For every bag sold, the Arkansas Affiliate will receive a $1.50 donation to be used for treatment, education, support services and awareness programs. Look for Coffee for the Cure coffee in central Arkansas Kroger stores and other retail stores, or order at www.premiumrefreshment.com.


Well, those should keep you busy for now.

Hugs,
Jill

2010 Off to a Great Start

Yes, it's time for us to start (or continue) planning for the 17th Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure. My mind is already spinning.

You should already have the date for the Race, but just in case--October 16, 2010. I do expect to see you there!

Your Race Chair this year is Donna Easley. I've worked with Donna as long as I have been involved with the Race and know that you are going to love her if you don't already. She's a fantastic lady! She started out volunteering with Komen as one of you--team captain for AT&T. Well, I guess it was Southwestern Bell back then. Anyway, look for a fun year!

I am also pleased to announce that I will be working closer than ever with Donna this year as her Co-Chair. I have SO very much to learn before I chair the 2011 Race. WHAT?!!!!!!!

No, I am not deserting you! There are several changes taking place on our side for Teams, but I don't think you're going to be affected by many of those changes. The one that will affect you is that Alana Harris has agreed to chair the Teams Committee and to be your main contact. Many of you have had contact with Alana over the past few years as she has helped answer emails, etc. I will be here to help her this year so that she can handle it all in 2011. (BTW, Alana says her name rhymes with banana; I remember it by taking the t's out of Atlanta.)

Alana with her precious twin daughters.
She also has an older son, so she is one busy lady.
On that note, we are also looking for someone to assist and learn along with Alana. We need someone that can answer questions over the phone or email without getting in trouble with their job and that has at least a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access. Give me a yell if you have an interest.

I also wanted to let you know that we have set the date for the Team Captain Party--Sunday, July 18. Please put it on your calendar now and make plans to attend.

Would love to hear from you.

Hugs,
Jill