This was year 3 for putting together a bowling event to raise money - the first year all the money I raised was donated to the Iowa Epilepsy Foundation and last year I began our own non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization called Beau's Beautiful Blessings. BBB raises money for children in our area that have epilepsy, brain injuries or brain abnormalities (like Beau) that need financial assistance for medical equipment, service dogs, special needs camp scholarships, etc. You can check us out at
http://www.beausbeautifulblessings.com/.
Each year has been a huge success, raising over $13,000 each time. It is so amazing to me that one little boy (with a great smile and gorgeous blue eyes - not to brag) can be such an inspiration to so many. The event is always a ton of work and maybe a little more exhausting this year b/c I am 7 months pregnant, but it is always so worth it. Planning begins months prior and involves going to several area businesses to collect door prizes (we collected over 130 prizes this year), collecting silent auction items (which, when sold made over $1,500), getting folks to donate baked goods for the bake sale we have at the event (made over $200) and of course selling sponsorships to area business. Plus you need to recruit the bowlers!
Here is a link to a short commercial Andy put together for our local station, KWWL, which donated the air time to air the commercial. The little boy with Beau is a family friends child, Jude who also has brain abnormalities and epilepsy.
Every year the tradition is that Beau throws the opening ball to start the event off! It's amazing to think that 2 years ago, he couldn't walk well enough to do it, last year he was unsteady and needed our help to get him up to the lane, and this year, he carried the ball himself and set it on the alligator and this is what it looked like......
This picture makes me smile. He had no idea that 130 people were watching him when he threw the ball. After he threw it, he was so pleased with himself he started clapping. Almost instantly the whole place began clapping for him. Ever so slowly he turned around, realizing that he wasn't alone and that he had an audience! He was still so pleased with himself - as were we, his proud parents.
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| The plaque we have made every year and then engrave the top individual fund raiser's name on it. This was the second year my sister (and her husband) won the award - raising over $1,300!! |
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| These are my 2 display boards. One talks about Beau's Beautiful Blessings and the other is an informative board on Disorders of the Corpus Callosum I made. |
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| Our family :) |
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| My cousin Kaitlyn flew in that day from Washington D.C. to be with us and support us on a very important day. Love her so much. |
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| The bake sale tables. |
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| Amy and I working the Registration Table. |
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| Just a handful of the 20 plus silent auction items. |
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| Getting everyone checked in - my nephew Lucas in the red hat getting everyone their t-shirts. He's such a great helper every year! |
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| More registration! |
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| One of the many highlights of the day was Andy's editor, Ben and his fiance Ashley showing up on their wedding day prior to their ceremony to take pictures and to celebrate Beau. It was quite special! |
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| A few of the very important women in Beau's life - his teacher Ms. Tyna (2nd in from the right) and teachers aides from his preschool. I should also mention that all of his therapists from the hospital were there too. Talk about some great people and talk about a lot of love for Beau. |
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| Julia - a volunteer for the local college (SLP student) selling last years t-shirts and BBB Bracelets |
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| Me with Gerald & Stephanie Sorensen (my sister and brother-in-law) presenting them with their plaque for top fund raisers. |
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| A list of just some of the 130 door prize winners. |
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| Mom & Dad working the door prize area. |
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| Bowling and having fun. |
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| Everyone taking a look at the silent auction offerings. |
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| Bowling fun! |
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| Serving up the pizza pizza! |
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| Signing the scrapbook pages. |
This is what exhaustion looks like! Trust me mama felt the same way! After all it's hard work being such a little celebrity!
I can't thank our friends, family, sponsors, businesses, strangers, volunteers, etc. enough. It was an amazing day and it reminds me that one little boy can make a huge difference. Take the trials and tribulations that life throws at you and turn them into something positive and inspiring and worthwhile. We are so blessed to have Beau as our son.
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