Support Our Kids
Focus Events
Run, Rock & Stroll
Run, Rock, & Stroll is an annual fundraising event featuring a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 1-mile fun walk. Festivities include Kid’s Village, a carnival like atmosphere with crafts and games for all ages. Participants and spectators will also enjoy the family friendly entertainment of local musicians, clowns, and magicians throughout the event. This event is always held the second Saturday of June. 2009 will mark the event’s 10th Anniversary!
Holiday Card Design Collection
The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs sells holiday cards designed by kids who have attended our Oncology or Sibling camps during the previous summer. This annual event helps The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs raise money for programs and services throughout the year. In 2007, we had a record number of sales and hope to sell out all 40,000 cards this year! Cards are sold in individual packets of 24 cards (3 each of 8 designs) or can be purchased in larger quantities for corporate sales. INSERT PDF.
Current Single Packets
Corporate (Large Quantity Pricing)
Volunteer Led Fund Raising Events
Golf Outings
Danny Joe Memorial Golf Outing
The Danny Joe Memorial golf outing is held the first Friday of June at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The event is in memory of Danny Joe Cornish, the child who drew the logo that The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs still uses to this day. Danny’s rainbow symbolizes the sunshine, rainbows, and love his family and friends gave to him during his battle with cancer. Danny lost his battle with cancer not long after his drawing was adopted as our logo. The passion he demonstrated for life lives on through the programs offered by the organization.
City Carton
The City Carton Recycling golf outing benefits the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) children’s programs through the “Debbie Ockenfels - Kids Rock!” Foundation. Portions of the Outing proceeds are donated to “Camp Heart Connection ” - a camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. The Outing is held in memory of Deborah Ockenfels, daughter of City Carton Recycling founders Mort and Marcy. Deborah died of cancer at the age of 17.
Over 144 golfers, from across the United States and Canada, participate each year in this event that is held in August at the Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville, Iowa.
Rudy Quijas Memorial Golf Outing
This event takes place every August in Davenport. It is hosted by the family of Rudy Quijas of Rudy’s Tacos fame. The funds raised from this annual event are used to provide camper scholarships and outings for children in the Quad Cities area.
Tom Best Memorial Classic
This golfing event was put together by Julie, Kevin, Keiran and Kate (Shaw) Best in 2007 to celebrate the memory of their husband and father, who passed away in December 2006 from lung cancer. Tom was always inspired by the children he passed in the hospital that were battling cancer and his family and friends connected with The Heart Connection to benefit from their event. This event traditionally takes place in September at Jester Park Golf Course.
Other Events!
Catch The Spirit 5K Run
The family of Megan Koepke and Waverly Junior High School put together this annual spring event that takes place the first Wednesday in May. Megan, a Heart Connection camper, lost her battle with cancer in February 2007 and her family and friends decided to put together a community event in her memory. The day features “Catch The Spirit” awards given to outstanding students of Waverly Junior High School, a keynote address to students and a community service project on the streets of Waverly. The day ends with a beautiful 5K run through the scenic river valley.
Willie’s Wagon
Willie’s Wagon is a wonderful children’s book by Quad Cities anchorman, Gary Metivier, that tracks the moves of Willie, a bored youngster who discovers the difference one can make in the lives of others. He discovers an old wagon and fixes it up and decides to give his prize to children with cancer who are stuck in the hospital. Gary has chosen to give a portion of the proceeds from his book to The Heart Connection.
Metivier has also been busy visiting schools and sharing Willie’s Wagon with students. Many of the schools he has visited have chosen to do fundraising events support Camp Heart Connection.
If your school would like to have a volunteer reader share the wonderful story of Willie’s Wagon please contact us! INSERT FORM If you would like to be a part of our volunteer reading team, click here! INSERT FORM
To purchase your copy of Willie’s Wagon, or new books in the series A Hog Ate My Homework, click here!
Support a Camper Scholarship
Did you know that the hard costs of sending a child to Camp Heart Connection is $300? The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs offers summer camps to children with cancer and their siblings at no cost to their families. If you would like to help send a child to camp this summer, click here to DONATE NOW!
Set up a Giving Page
It’s easy to raise money for The Heart Connection! If you would like to help send a child to camp, provide activities at the hospital, or assist a family on a weekend retreat…it is as easy as 1, 2, 3! You can set up your own online giving page and forward it on to all of your family and friends. All you need is a goal to reach…and the sky is the limit! Click here for the easy process! On-Line Fund Raising Form (Like First Giving)
Some fundraising tips!
PDF Link
Donor Wall
The following individuals, organizations and corporations have donated funds in excess of $5,000 in their lifetime. List of Donors added at later time.
2008 Donors
The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs would like to thank the following individuals, organizations and corporations for their generosity and support. These donations were received between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. INSERT PDF (coming Soon)
Fund Raising Event of the Month
Check out this event! Join us for The Big Wheel Rally on Saturday, December 13. The Big Wheel Rally is an opportunity for friends to get together and show off their creative talent(s), and help a great cause! The last five Rallies have benefited "The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs." This year we will be supporting the same cause. Last year's Rally raised over $5,000 thanks to all of the many generous contributions!
Pictures from last year's Rally can be viewed here: Big Wheel Rally 2007 pics.
Spotlight on our Funding Partners
The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs is honored to receive support from Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Wellmark is the Presenting Sponsor of “Run, Rock & Stroll” and supports many other Heart Connection programs. To learn more about their company, visit www.wellmark.com.
Logos and Links
Funder of the Month
