Bravehearts for Kids is kicking off an annual tradition this year, asking you, the public, to join us in constructing snow angels on the Bismarck Capitol Grounds. This year’s event is to sponsor a Bismarck native, and pediatric cancer patient, Mia Thinnes. We invite you, your children, and families to make Angels in the Snow – to become, so to speak, Angels looking out for Mia as she faces another 9 months of scheduled chemotherapy in 2011. We will be asking each child to donate at least $1 and all monies collected will be given to the Thinnes family to support their battle against pediatric cancer.

We encourage you to come out for this event, and to recruit everyone you know to join us!!! If you can’t make the event, but would still like to donate… please contact us: info@braveheartsforkids.org… or drop us a donation using our PayPal link.

Bravehearts for Kids is a non-profit charity, solely run by volunteers – NO PAID STAFF!!! We encourage you to join our cause. Please drop us a line if you are interested!

P.S. Check out the photo of Mia & Ava – Two Medulloblastoma Pediatric Cancer patients!!!

Here is a link to the article that went to press in the Bismarck Tribune. The story was front & center on the 2nd section!!!

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_5ea34afa-1396-11e0-b9d4-001cc4c03286.html

Event: Christmas Pastry Fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer Patients
Where: 1119 McKenzie Ave, New England, ND (Tel: 701-579-4119)
Beneficiaries: Grace Bittner (Dickinson); Mia Thinnes (Bismarck)
When: Saturday, December 11th
Time: Come as you please! Open House 6-9 p.m.

As you pass by the former home of Grandma Maixner in New England, North Dakota, you sense something special. Well, maybe it might be confined to those who have a history with that little slice of God’s greater plan. For if Grandma Maixner was anything, she was God’s skin here on earth.

For some they might be taken by the petrified wood boundary that she lovingly built with her own hands. Some passersby might note the flower garden or grotto in the front yard or the large garden if they passed through the alley way. Some might even sense her spirit living on as you enter the old home – getting a sense of just where you would find Grandma rocking in her chair by the furnace grate in the center of her home. For certain, her spirit is still felt there by her extended family. Her loving touch still resides throughout. The home has been the source of countless memories for five generations. For the last couple decades, it has been the home of Walt and Lu Jacobs, as Luella is the youngest of Grandma Maixner’s nine children. Prior to that Joel & Donnie Maixner and their family made it their loving home. Some might remember the festive occupation by “Aunt Muggie” and the many memories associated with her great laugh and smile. And those who date back further would find the home bustling with the Wandler children Grandma ‘rescued’ from a life in an orphanage after their mother died.

But those without any of those memories who are passing by this coming Saturday, December 11th will certainly find something special as the only sense they will require is their sense of smell. In honor of all that Grandma Maixner did for her community, her family and friends are gathering once again in Grandma’s Kitchen to bake pastries and goodies at Christmas time. But while they are being made with the same loving care, the treats will be given away to those who donate to a fund to help two children in Western North Dakota (Grace Bittner , Dickinson; Mia Thinnes, Bismarck.)

The Jacobs family is inviting the public to come to 1119 McKenzie Ave, New England, ND for an open house to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. The event is being sponsored by Bravehearts for Kids and they hope it will become an annual event during the holidays. Grandma Maixner’s great grandson, Jeremy Jacobs, started the Bravehearts for Kids charity after their daughter was stricken by brain cancer at the age of 1. It is a delight to report that little Ava is today a walking miracle. She is not only alive… but a thriving little four-year-old pre-schooler and soccer player. She was recently named as a cancer poster child in the Houston area. Ava’s family started the charity to benefit children in the same way North Dakotans helped Ava when she was fighting cancer three years ago.

The family will take a break from making pastries for awhile at the open house to perform some Christmas and Folk Music for their guests. Expect lots of goodies, hot apple cider, and homemade egg nog. Grandma Maixner loved those times when her grandchildren filled her home with music. And their music has been present at the American Cancer Society’s Relays for Life events in past Summers.

Anyone familiar with Lu Jacobs’ pastries will certainly want to come by for the chance to taste them. Family members from around the country will be receiving packages of their beloved Buchta, a Bohemian confection coming straight from their heritage. There will be Tea Rings the shape of Christmas trees and other holiday treats, as well.

We are hopeful the community will find a place in their hearts for these two children and remember that Grandma Maixner would have done something like this on their behalf if she were still among us today. Those who knew her also know that she died from cancer over 40 years ago. While she is still missed, her love lives on and she is an inspiration that is a foundation in the Bravehearts for Kids organization. If it is your holiday wish to help others, please consider a donation to the Bravehearts for Kids charity. In the Grandma Maixner tradition, this will not only make these children’s holiday brighter but it will bring a package of these delectable treats to your doorstep, as a gift to you for your generosity. Bravehearts is a true charity – 100% volunteer based and ALL proceeds beyond costs will be given to victims of cancer.

Note: After this was written, it was learned that Grace was rushed to Mayo Clinic for emergency surgery. The world keeps Grace in their hearts and in their prayers.

For those of you in and around the Bismarck area this weekend… please pass the word that our Bravehearts for Kids Non-Profit Charity will be again hosting a fund-raiser at the Bismarck Folkfest. Look for our booth selling tasty Buffalo Berry Crepes in the food court at the Street Fair downtown (on Broadway between 3rd & 6th Streets).

Schedule:
FRI – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SAT – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This was a HUGE hit last year. Just type in “Bismarck Folkfest” into a Google Search ~ and guess what comes up on the top of the list???

Come on out & join us in support of a GREAT cause. We have some families that are in serious need of your/our support!!!

Buffalo Berry Booth Video

So ~ grab a lawn chair, find some children to bring a long for the fun, and come on out for this event. You won’t be disappointed!

The link to the Mandan community calendar is: http://www.mandanprogress.org/community_calendar

Have fun!

Band Night Parade - May 14, 2010

We had a great turn-out, as Bravehearts in the Bismarck area came out to support the annual Eckroth Music “Band Night Parade” on Friday night, May 14th. The weather was perfect to hand out candy, business cards, and a little bit of hope for Kids & families out there who are struggling to stay alive through cancer. This event marked a recent connection with a family who just started their fight against lukeumia. You can beat this Aaron!

A big thanks to all of you who came out to support the event… especially to all those little ones who made the trek all the way from the capitol grounds to the civic center!!!

If you’re on our site for the first time, please drop us an e-mail… and we’ll try to get you connected with our upcoming events planning. We have so much ahead of us, and so many in need of our help!

Christmas Caroling

Bravehearts for Kids, a not for profit charity supporting families fighting pediatric cancer, is hosting a Children’s Christmas sing-along at the Waterford in Bismarck for residents and kids on December 20, 2009 at 2:00 PM. The Waterford is located at 1000 West Century Avenue in Bismarck, ND.

The event will be celebrating the brave fight children with cancer are carrying on during this holiday season. Bravehearts for Kids is asking interested parties to buy gifts or make donations to these children and their families. A gift tree at The Waterford will have information on the victims for residents. A few of our kids with specific needs are listed below:

• Jayce Kringen (Williston) – 6 years old boy with Medulloblastoma
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jaycekringen
• Sam Liechty (Jamestown) – 17 year old boy with Medulloblstoma
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samliechty/mystory
• Will Dangerfield (West Fargo) – EPENDYMOBLASTOMA brain tumor
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/willdangerfield/journal/6
• Brody Strahm, (Fargo) – 2 year old boy with Stage 4 Liver & Lung Cancer
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=98268632935

We are also soliciting gifts/gift cards to share with cancer victim family members.

Bravehearts for Kids invites interested parties to bring hors d’oeuvres and Christmas goodies for all to enjoy. Bravehearts will present folk and Christmas music and will invite all to join in a sing-along.
Bravehearts for Kids wishes every family dealing with the effects of cancer, a most blessed holiday. We will keep working tirelessly in our effort to ease the burden of cancer victims as well as search for a cure so these families can celebrate the joy of the season in coming years.

If you feel so inclined, please visit our DONATIONS tab on this website to submit a charitable contribution. We will commit 100% of your giving to directly assist families in need this Christmas Holiday!

You can contact us directly via e-mail at: info@braveheartsforkids.org

Local Board Members:
Kristen Paape – 701-391-8111
Ellen Shaefer – 701-400-7601
Brian Reinbold – 701-224-0099

Christmas Ornament

We’re collecting ideas for our first annual Christmas Ornament Fundraiser. We’re hoping to produce an annual christmas ornament ~ decorated by art produced from one of our pediatric cancer patients each year!

We’ll hopefully have this for sale by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Anybody out there with specific ideas on ornaments that can be easily produced with printed art on them? We’re looking for help. Post your thoughts here on this page, or e-mail us at: info@braveheartsforkids.org.