2012 Run for the Rose Wrap Up

A huge “THANK YOU” to everyone.  We had a great turn out for a beautiful morning.  Your involvement in this event has an impact.  Many families who are going through.. or who will go through.. what Kimberly did, have hope because of the time you have spent and the money you have raised/contributed.  Well done!

Here is a link to some of the pictures that were taken http://gallery.me.com/terryrichter#100176&bgcolor=black&view=grid.  If you have additional pictures that you would like to share, please feel free to upload.

Blessings,

Terry, Matt, Meredith and Mitch

For those that were not there this morning or in case you were not able to hear what I tried to communicate, here are my notes:

1^st and foremost, “thank you” for being here. For whatever reason you came, it was a sacrifice. In the world of fundraising, participation, mass and momentum of participation are extremely important. Your presence here today, the growth of this team to be at 160 (over 5,000) sends a message to other organizations that fund brain cancer research… and you… are making a difference.

2^nd, thank you for the money you have contributed and raised. This year we made some strides and have met and exceeded our goal by raising 10,600. The run has raised over 545,000. Special thanks to Scott Palmer who raised over 3,500 by making just a few inquiries from business associates he works with… well done to all.

3^rd, this being our 5^th year to participate, 1 ½ years since Kimberly died, honestly, I’ve struggled with what should our involvement look like. But I knew in my heart it was important.  Things became very clear over the past couple of days. It was great to see the number of families that signed up. I hope you continue to make this an annual tradition. Then yesterday as Mike Handel and I were running and talking about today the thought that came out was this is a “Celebration of Life”. It’s a celebration of Kimberly’s life, a life she lived well. It’s also a celebration of the life that we all have…

So thank you again.

Call to Action - Run for the Rose and Soccer Clinics

It’s hard to believe another year is passed and that it’s time for Run For The Rose, our 5th year supporting brain cancer research.  This year, while we are continuing our support for Run For The Rose we are also asking for your support for the work the Kickin’ With Kimberly Foundation is doing with children “at risk” here in Houston and in Alabama through outreach soccer camps.

First, we would love for you to be a part of the Kickin’ With Kimberly team at Run For the Rose on Sunday, March 25th, at Reliant Park.  Since 2002, the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation was the 1^st Houston foundation funding brain cancer research at MD Anderson, which has one of the largest brain tumor centers in the world.  Two clinical trials have resulted directly from contributions by the Rose Foundation. As a result of the Rose Foundation funding of cutting-edge immunotherapy research, many of the average survival times for brain tumor patients has doubled.

Team Kickin’ With Kimberly was formed 2008 1 1/2 years after Kimberly was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006.  Giving glory to God, it is my belief that it is possible that the 4 years Kimberly survived could be directly related to work the Rose Foundation is funding.  I regularly run across people and families affected by brain cancer.  We continue to be involved with Run for the Rose because we want to give “hope to the helpless”, something Kimberly was passionate about.

By signing up to participate in Run For the Rose on Sunday, March 25^th, your presence has a significant impact on the Rose Foundation’s ability to garner additional support and funding for brain cancer.  Numbers matter.  In 2011, we had over 150 runners sign up with Team Kickin’ With Kimberly.  Would you consider signing up today and show your support for this excellent effort?  If so, go to http://runfortherose.kintera.org/KickinWithKimberly.

If you cannot participate in the Run For the Rose, but would like to make a contribution, you can go to the same link and make a contribution on-line.  Every dollar that Team Kickin’ With Raises will go to brain cancer research.  Every contribution makes a difference as an estimated $5-10 is generated from federal support and grants for each $1 in seed money provided by donors.  Over the past 4 years, Team Kickin’ with Kimberly has raised over $40,000.  Would you consider making a contribution today continuing this tradition of generosity and hope?

Finally, new to our efforts is the work The Kickin’ With Kimberly Foundation is funding.  During 2011 almost 250 grade school children, many of whom would be considered “at risk”, both in Houston and Auburn Alabama, participated in youth soccer camps.  This year we hope to raise $3,000 to fund both of these camps.  Read more at www.kickinwithkimberly.com, click on Blog and scroll to the February 9, 2012 entry about Soccer Clinics – Texas and Alabama.  If you know you would like to support this, simply click this link.

Finally, I want to thank you for all the support you have shown to our family, both directly and through these charitable organizations.    People want and need to hear the message of hope regardless of economic hardship or medical uncertainty.  It is our desire that you would take a moment to consider supporting any of these efforts.  Also, as you deem appropriate, please forward this to friends and family who might be able to join you in making a difference.

Blessings,

Terry Richter

HOPE - for the helpless
BELIEVE - in the Healer
VICTORY - in the face of the impossible

Soccer Clinics – Texas and Alabama

In 2007, our family decided to join work that Grace Presbyterian Church was doing in the Alief School district as they worked on “Loving God” and “Loving our Neighbor” through the Project 180 initiative.  Out of that experience, was birthed the idea of the soccer clinics.  Over the last 5 years hundreds of children have been touched here in Houston who would not normally be able to experience family oriented sports.  Kimberly loved being on the field with these kids and immediately was “team mom” both to the children and to many of the volunteers who made these clinics possible.  (Here is a link to a video with more detail about the story background)

In 2011, the Kickin’ With Kimberly Foundation continued to support the soccer clinics through the one day event of Project 180 at Walnut Bend Elementary School.  At Walnut Bend over 100 kids, many of whom are “at risk”, were able to experience a family sports environment where the Love of God was universally demonstrated.  In addition, below is a story written by Matt Richter about how these soccer clinics expanded to Auburn, Alabama.

Would you consider making a gift today supporting the Kickin’ With Kimberly Foundation in our attempts to raise $3,000 to buy T-shirts and supplies for the Auburn and Houston initiatives to love “at risk” kids?  If so, you can click here or click on the "Donate" link located at www.KickinWithKimberly.com.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Matt’s Story from Auburn

Last year (2011) I stumbled upon a leader in Campus Crusade here in Auburn and in a seemingly irrelevant conversation, mentioned to him that it would be cool to start a soccer camp here like we did at home. I was thinking that it would take a couple years to find the right people, equipment, etc. but God had other plans. Within the hour of mentioning this potential idea, I was praying and talking with the Crusade staff in Auburn about this plan that they jumped on immediately. It was clear that God already had a plan.

Within that week we had made connections with local missionaries here in Auburn who connected us with a brother in Christ who is the principal at the poorest intermediate school in Opelika (Auburn's neighboring town). Within the month I had gathered 20-30 volunteers. The times were set with the school, and shirt sizes and medical information was gathered. Not only were the auburn students and crusade staff all over it, every single teacher at West Forest also supported us. Again, God was moving.

I expected us to have anywhere from 35-40 kids in this school of 250.  But again I was astounded. We had 93 kids sign up and the vast majority came every week!

The lord also blessed this with wonderful men of character on Auburn men's club soccer team and the University's women's team. Every Friday for 5 weeks we met and on the last Friday threw a party with food and drink for the kids and their families!

March, 23, 2012 marks the date we start in Auburn this year… and God is going to make it happen again.