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Photos by Studios Photography.
Terwillegar Recreation centre was buzzing family day weekend, the arenas filled with excited kids and energetic volunteers. Only in its second year, the Stollery Family Day Classic is truly a force to be reckoned with. Eighty-four teams, comprised of more than 1300 youths ages 5-15, competed in dozens of 4-on-4 hockey games over the weekend. Raising $180,000 last year, the Stollery Family Day Classic came back stronger than ever, with teams, individual players, volunteers and a raffle all contributing towards raising money for the Stollery’s critical care unit.
Alex Webb, a serious and quietly energetic grade 5 student, participated for the second time as a player, contributor, and volunteer. Raising $5000 last year, he redoubled his efforts and has raised nearly $20,000 dollars. After seeing sick children talk about their experiences with illness at the Stollery’s Snowflake Gala, and coming from a family with strong involvement with the Stollery, he is clearly passionate about this hockey tournament and its goals. “If everyone helped out, imagine how much it would change,” he says. “If everyone would try their hardest we could make a difference in so many kids’ lives... you want to help the kids who don’t really have what we have.”
The total amount raised was more than $208,000, with a portion being donated to Hockey Edmonton. Measuring that with the enormous number of volunteers and happy players, the Stollery Family Day Classic was certainly a success.
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Students Sharing Their Talents - The Heart of Giving
The Grade 5 Students at Millwoods Christian School participate in a service project where they identify their talents and use them to benefit others.
They thought about their talents and then had to come up with an idea for how to raise money.
A few of the amazing gifts they shared were talent shows, making bracelets, a paper-airplane flying contest or simply doing extra chores around the house.
Once the funds were raised through sharing their gifts, they brought all the money they raised to school and the whole class went shopping for crafts at Dollarama and Micheals - spending up to $20 per student.
Having purchased their goodies, they went back in class they organized all the things they bought into personalized craft kits, complete with a letter of encouragement for the recipient patient at the Stollery.
Any extra money was donated in the form of a cheque to the Stollery.
Students finished off this project by reflecting on what they did, how it felt to bless others and how they see themselves serving others in the future.
Thank you so much to the Grade 5 students for sharing their talents to benefit the children & youth at the Stollery! Your story gets to the heart of giving and is an example of true philanthropy at its finest.
For more information on how your school can get involved, click here.
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Smith Girls' Loving Locks
By Kristy Smith, proud Mother of the Smith girls!
At supper time one evening we each have a turn talking about whatever they want about their day. Abby and Georgia were very excited to share that Georgia's classmate Sydney had just cut off her hair for cancer and to raise money for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and the student body was able to watch it all in a special celebration. They were also excited that someone from the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation came to their school to talk about how the money was used and how children of any age or background have the ability to do amazing things in the lives of others.
The questions just started to spill out, everything from where Sydney's hair would go, to why children lose their hair and need wigs, to what happens to the sick kids that have to stay in the hospital, and many more. We talked a lot about what they could do to help too. That's when Abby mentioned that all three of them have long hair and that they could do this as well. Isabel said "I don't want them (the kids) to be sick anymore", so being the mom of three beautiful girls with long beautiful hair I thought what a awesome thing to be able and willing to do to help others.
Sometimes it's hard to imagine for young children that little kids get really sick too and that they need a lot of medicine and doctors, help and love and that people can make a difference in each other’s lives. It was perfect timing because my girls hair was long enough to be able to donate so we gathered all the info and put our wheels rolling. We started the fundraiser and booked the hair cutting day! The girls handed out sheets of info about what they were trying to do to all our family and friends and explained that they were going to help the children who needed them.
November 3rd came and the excitement was exploding! My girls were ready to give to someone else their hair, so Isabel climbed into the chair as an audience grew and they put two pony tails in and within one minute she had short hair! She was smiling ear to ear as we showed around the thick pony of hair, and as she sat patiently to have her hair styled she asked if we could take her pony over to the wig place (Alfred's Hair Salon) to donate it right now! Georgia went next followed by Abby and as everyone around continued to tell us about people they know that are or were once touched by cancer or about someone they know that is or has been at the stollery, I think that the girls really realized that a lot of people appreciate what they were doing to help! No tears that day just pride!
The next day after school we drove directly to Alfred's and dropped off 33 inches of hair combined and they each got to see wigs that were made by others who donated as well and I could tell that once they got back in the van that that was a proud moment for all of them!
Almost a week following that we met with Stephanie and Joanna from the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and handed over $2,800.00 and counting. As all three girls were signing the cheque and have pictures taken together I could tell that they were proud at what they achieved! I remember feeling that I was an extremely proud mom!
As we were leaving the Stollery rainbow entrance Georgia said in kind of a question type statement "we are going to help sick kids that have to live here right mom" and I knew then that she truly understood after everything that we had worked towards and had done that she knew that herself being only six years old that she and her sisters could help someone else that needed her help.
I hope that my girls will keep on helping others and keep giving and we hope that this inspires families and children to know that no matter how big or small you are you can help make a difference in someone’s life! And as we drove away from the hospital that day Abby asked what can we do next to help others and Georgia and Isabel piped in and said "yeah mom what else can we do to help the kids"!
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Walmart Walk for Miracles a Success
 Our current Champion Child Jed Calhoun Rutter was the grand marshal of our 8th Annual Walmart Walk for Miracles on June 12th.
Not only did Jed lead the walk of 300 participants along the 5km course, he also led Edmonton in donations! That’s right. Eight-year-old Jed raised more than $6,500. This also placed him third across Canada!
Altogether, our Edmonton Walmart Walk for Miracles raised more than $67,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. And, across Canada, the Walmart Walk for Miracles raised $4 million for Children’s Miracle Network.
One of Jed’s idols, Edmonton Oiler Jason Strudwick, joined him along the course. Jason helped to kick off the walk by sharing inspirational stories of children he has met at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Jason and his wife Schoena represent the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation as our Ambassador Family. They’re dedicated to the well-being of children and they believe in the role the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the Foundation play in the community for the benefit of children across Canada.
Thank you to all our team captains, walkers, volunteers and our corporate partners for participating and making it a special fun-filled day. Together, you helped to change the lives of thousands of children and their families by raising much-needed funds for the best possible care.
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Kids Helping Kids
Wow! Congratulations Glen Allan Elementary School for donating 726 DVDs to the children at the Stollery Children’s Hospital!
As families head out for summer holidays, there are many children who will be in hospital who will not be able to spend the summer out and about. The students at Glen Allan have made the time in hospital an easier experience for kids, because they will have movies to watch and games to play.
“Our Community Support Team organized the drive,” said Liz Holt, Counsellor at Glen Allan School. “It was a great campaign for us, as many of our families are familiar with the Stollery and one of our students is currently there.”
The Community Support Team was comprised of five Grade 6 girls who promoted the DVD drive daily through announcements. At the beginning of each day, the girls went to classes to pick up the donated DVDs, and then organized them into boxes (usually during their recess time). The campaign only lasted one week and the girls were able to donate 726 DVDs!
If you are interested in donating new or gently used DVDs (no VHS please), just drop off your donation at BearyLand on the main floor of the Stollery.
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Amazing Role Models
Congratulations Karen Shin & Margaret Villadarez on receiving a 2010 Philanthropy Day Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (Ages 18-23) for your work on little hearts BIG dreams!
 little hearts BIG dreams brought the next generation together for an important cause. Believing that children are our future, Karen Shin and Margaret Villadarez wanted to bring awareness to the miracles being performed at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and to raise funds for research and technology. More than 700 excited youth attended their fundraiser, a youth–inspired concert featuring musical and dancing acts, and more than $10,000 was raised in just one night!
little hearts BIG dreams not only raised funds for sick and injured children, they displayed true philanthropic acts and brought much needed awareness of the needs of the Stollery to the youth of our community. Youth have a desire to make a positive difference and they want to have a say in the decisions and actions happening in their community. Karen and Margaret saw a need and made a decision to do something about it; with no expectations of personal reward. They wanted to do something that would open up new opportunities for the Stollery and for all of the kids being treated at the hospital. They wanted to give them the chance for a happy and healthy life. Karen and Margaret are true philanthropic leaders and we are so honoured to have their continued support.
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True Philanthropy
Congratulations Great Canadian Roofing and Exteriors on receiving a 2010 Philanthropy Day Award for Outstanding Small Business!
 Great Canadian Roofing and Exteriors has contributed more than $66,000 corporately and through the Spencer Berezowski Memorial Golf Tournament within a two-year period – an outstanding contribution from an outstanding small business. The company and staff members continue to serve the Stollery by raising funds in the annual golf tournament and support corporate giving initiatives. Staff is fully motivated to support the Stollery and is constantly looking at new ways to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation and Hospital. New ideas that are in development include an annual hockey tournament for those in the industry, donations of gift in kind product for event auction items, specific program or equipment campaigns for staff to raise money for, and sales package information that includes material on the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and a donation option for those who are interested.
Great Canadian Roofing and Exteriors has also reached out to suppliers, distributors and other business partners and have mobilized their giving. Jason Knapton, President, has suggested it is his responsibility to give back to his community as children are the future, he has a responsibility to ensure each child treated at the Stollery has the best chance at success.
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The next generation of philanthropists
It was just last May when members of the Kelsey 4-H Stars-To-Be and Heisler 4_H Hemmers clubs performed to a sold-out crowd at the Kelsey Hall in Camrose, AB. The one act play, entitled Pigs in Court, captivated and  entertained the audience, and the event topped off with a series of performances from local buskers and a silent auction.
It wasn’t just creativity and performance that fueled the energy in Kelsey Hall that night — it was a fundraiser for the Stollery Children’s Hospital and a chance for kids to prove they too can make a difference in helping sick and injured patients access the best care possible. Over $4000 was raised and net proceeds were donated to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.
The kids behind this fundraising success are great examples of what the next generation of philanthropists looks like. Making a difference in the community is about using your creativity and drive to do something unique to raise funds, and make a mark on a healthy future for all children with your family, friends, neighbours and community by your side.
For more information on how your youth group or club might be able to make a difference, visit Create Your Own Event.
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ATB Financial
ATB Financial is a long time supporter of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. For more than 20 years it has helped the foundation care for sick and injured children with its donations, fundraisers and volunteers.
Community involvement is highly valued at all levels of the ATB organization, and philanthropic activity is encouraged in all branch communities. ATB has demonstrated its commitment to community and philanthropy through its involvement in numerous events. ATB introduced its own campaign to raise money for sick Alberta children called Teddy for a Toonie. For the past 10 years, customers have been invited to purchase a bear for $2 at any branch location. Those funds are then directed to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Since its inception this event has raised more than $1 million dollars for the Foundation.
ATB branches have held bake sales, auctions, golf tournaments and other special events to raise money for the foundation. Year after year, ATB can be counted amongst hundreds of volunteers answering phones for the annual three-day Radiothon. ATB Financial is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a corporation supports organizations in its community.
Currently, ATB has donated almost two million dollars to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation to ensure sick and injured children receive the best care available.
ATB Financial is truly a shining example of what can be accomplished when a corporation supports organizations in its community.
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John & Jane Holmlund
John & Jane Holmlund’s attitude toward giving is simple and has never wavered — give what you can afford, because everything counts. They are quiet philanthropists, who willingly provide support whenever and wherever they believe they can make a difference. Their dedication is part of the very fabric that makes our community a great place to live. 
John and Jane Holmlund, were first introduced to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation in 2005, when Focus Corporation began sponsoring Radiothon. Radiothon is the Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, and an event that relies on the generosity of sponsors to help achieve its fundraising targets. Over the last two years, they made significant personal contributions towards priority needs at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, including a critically-needed Intra-Operative MRI and funding for Autism research.
The Intra-Operative MRI is a very costly, advanced piece of surgical equipment that allows Stollery surgeons to accurately diagnose and treat life threatening health conditions in children, resulting in shortened recovery times and hospital stays for young patients. The Holmlunds’ donation was the major significant contribution that allowed the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation to achieve its fundraising goal of $500,000 for the Intra-Operative MRI, at the first annual Miracle Builders Breakfast in the fall of 2005.
Since then, John and Jane have stepped up as lead donor for the 2007 Miracle Builders Breakfast. They have made a significant donation for Autism research funding, hoping their contribution inspires other community leaders to give at the breakfast event – a commitment that accounts for one quarter of the overall target of $400,000. With this funding, Stollery Autism specialist Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum will fund a critical research project, examining early intervention techniques for this prevalent behavioral disorder. Autism affects one in every 160 children in Canada.
In addition to these significant personal donations, John’s company, Focus Corporation, supports the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation through sponsorship of its annual Radiothon, which most recently raised over $1.6 million to address priority needs at the hospital. During the Miracle Hours Focus Corporation has sponsored, radio announcers share messaging of corporate matching to encourage listeners of Radiothon to pledge their support. As such, the Holmlunds continue to help make the Foundation’s largest fundraising event an annual success.
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