2010 Outcomes
As we go into the 2nd year of John’s Charity we would first & foremost like the THANK each & everyone of you who supported us! We could not have had such a successful 1st year without all of your help & support!
We had an exciting & eventful year that ended in what we feel is an extremely successful one! Raising over $11,000!!!
We would like to recap 2010.
Fundraising Events:
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Can Drive (March/April) – Friends & family donated cans & bottles not only during March & April, but throughout the year. We had it set up so that people could either drop them off at our house or at the West Central Redemption Center in Stuart. This helped us start the charity’s fundraising!
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March of Dimes, March for Babies (May) – We had over 110 people join us to walk in John’s honor at the March for Babies Walk. John Donald’s team raised over $3,000 that was donated to March for Babies. To raise this money we not only had donations but a Free Will Donation Bake Sale & a March for Babies Night at Ruby’s Pub, each raising over $500.
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1st Annual John D. Gomke Charity Classic Golf Tournament (June) – With the assistance of a great community & sponsor held the 1st Annual Golf Tournament. People joined us from near & far. I believe the furthest drove down from Canada! We also had participants from Alabama, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, etc. There was a putting challenge on the putting green where 3 prizes were given away (42” TV, $100 Gift Card to HyVee & Hilton Inn & Suites Hotel Stay). There were autographed photos of Phil Mickelson & Zach Johnson, along with an autographed hat from Zach Johnson raffled off! Then the big prize…a set of TaylorMade Irons with a closest to the pin challenge! The day started out foggy & a little gloomy, though turned into a beautiful day of golf & fun! The golf course had 19 inches of rain in 19 days. John’s Tournament was the first event in June…a little wet, but that didn’t stop us! We look forward to the 2nd Annual John D. Gomke Charity Classic on June 18, 2011 at River Valley Golf Course in Adel.
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1st Annual John’s Baby Steps 5K Run/Walk (October) –Again with assistance of a great community & sponsors John’s 1st 5K was held! It was gorgeous fall morning for a walk/run. There was a memory balloon release to start the race. Participants were able to write a note to tie to a balloon & release to a loved one in heaven! The race was followed by a raffle drawing which involved several terrific prizes including a Tandem Skydrive jump donated by Des Moines Skydivers!
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1st Aid, CPR & AED training (4X throughout year) – 80 people were certified in 2010 by the Free Will Donation classes John’s Charity in conjunction with the West Des Moines EMS offered to the public.
Money Distribution:
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Mercy Foundation – $1,500 went to fund John’s Account at the Mercy Foundation. This account has been set up to help the Mercy NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) & PICU (pediatric intensive care unit). This fund will make it so that every family who suffers the loss of a infant or small child will have keepsakes to physically hold on to.
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March of Dimes, March for Babies – Over $3,000 was donated to MoD who’s mission is to have healthy pregnancies & healthy babies & decrease infant mortality.
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AEDs – John’s Charity purchased 3 AED units. 1 went to the Adel Elementary School & 1 went to De Soto Intermediate School. With the help of Mike, head of Dallas County EMS, trained all teachers & associates in the school buildings. The 3rd AED the charity bought for training purposes at events.