Cary, NC – Bob Evans is hosting a Community Fun Night supporting Zach’s Toy Chest.

Zach’s Toy Chest is a local non-profit benefiting children undergoing cancer treatments at local North Carolina hospitals.  They provide toys and other essential items children need to pass time during the long hours of treatments, such as chemotherapy.  Zach’s Toy Chest will earn 15% of sales when customers check out with a flyer.

Head on over to Bob Evans, located at 2001 Walnut Street, Cary on Thursday, July 29^th from 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM and help.

You can email zachstoychest@gmail.com for a flyer if you do not have one - good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Cary, N.C.-  SAS is sponsoring a “Spin for Life to Benefit the American Cancer Society” to raise awareness & funds for cancer prevention programs. There will be a news conference to kick the employee event event off on Wednesday, May 19. SAS executives will give brief remarks on the business value of SAS’ emphasis on employee health and wellness, including cancer screenings aimed at early detection at 10:30 AM.

Then SAS employees will board spin trainers to generate donations at a rate of $1 per minute. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer prevention programs.
This event is being held in conjunction with SAS’ celebration of National Employee Health & Fitness Day and is not open to the public.

“Helping the American Cancer Society educate the public on the importance of early detection is good for our local community,” SAS spokesperson Beverly Brown told me.

Charlie

At SAS, the management team takes the importance of health care seriously. SAS has an on-site Health Care Center.  “We have the patient outcomes, patient satisfaction scores and financial figures to support our belief that good health is good business,” said Director of Corporate Health Services Gale Adcock. “Seventy-three percent of SAS employees choose our on-site Health Care Center as their ‘medical home’ – we believe this speaks volumes about the quality of the care we provide and its value to employees. We are committed to disease prevention – and the prevention and early detection of cancer is one of our top priorities.”

For the Morlock family of Cary, the Health Care Center was pivotal in saving the life of one of its members. Three years ago, Charlie Morlock, now 8, was diagnosed with leukemia less than an hour after receiving blood tests at the center. This week, he begins his final round of treatment at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill and is well on the way to recovery.  His father, also named Charlie, always liked the convenience of on-site health care. He gained a full appreciation of quality and comprehensive nature of SAS’ health benefits when his son was diagnosed and during his subsequent treatment.

“After he was diagnosed, I realized that the quality of care was also extraordinary,” said Morlock, who oversees implementations of SAS® software in the health care insurance industry. “My son was diagnosed in one office visit, which is atypical for pediatric leukemia patients. The health care SAS provides for its employees is outstanding.”

Charlie Morlock

Kristy O'Connell Makes Pre-Tournament Announcements at The Joey O Classic for Cystic Fibrosis. All photos courtesy of Beth Galloway.

Cary, NC – Last weekend a bocce tournament was held in the name of Joe O’Connell, the owner of Cary’s Roly Poly.  The story is tragic and uplifting at the same time.  Joe lost his fight against Cystic Fibrosis in November 2009 at 32 years of age after a 3 month struggle in Duke’s ICU with the dreaded disease.  His wife Kristy gave birth to their daughter Piper Rose two floors down from his room at Duke on September 19th.

Piper

The 3rd Annual Joey O Bocce Classic took place Sunday April 25th at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh.  Proceeds go to fund research to find a cure for CF.  The fundraiser has raised $22,000 according to the Joey O Facebook page.

Peter Shunkis Throws a Bocce Ball

CF

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide).  In the 1950s, few children with Cystic Fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF.

Joey’s Obituary

Joseph O'Connell Courtesy of The Cardinal Gibbons Alumni Profile Website

Joe moved to Cary when he was 4 ½ years old and attended Henry Adams Elementary, East Cary Middle and Cardinal Gibbons High School.  He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1999.  He was the class president at Cardinal Gibbons both his freshman and sophomore year and the School President his junior year.  He was an honor student, played varsity baseball and was the Captain of the Varsity Basketball team.

Joe was the owner of the Roly Poly store in Cary.  Joe always put his friends and family above himself. He seized the day and lived in the moment. He had undying love for his wife and family and was the most loyal friend. He loved a good gathering, and always willing to put one on.  Joe rarely said no, always willing to try something different and taste a new part of what life had to offer.  This may have involved travel, concerts, sports events, camping, cooking, beach going, fishing, skiing, etc.  He loved it all, and most of all, he loved who he did it with.

He was fun to be around and he had a knack for elevating any situation.  He had a contagious smile and his charismatic personality drew everyone to him.

Cary, N.C. -  The Carying Place, an organization that provides short-term housing for working homeless families with children while teaching life skills to empower them to obtain permanent, independent living, has announced their Ninth Annual Benefit Auction set for Friday, May 7th at The Matthew’s House in Cary.

Details

The reception and silent auction, featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine, will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the live auction will begin at 8:00 p.m.  The theme of the event is “There’s No Place Like Home” and will tie in various aspects of the movie classic, “The Wizard of Oz”.  Throughout the evening, attendees will have the chance to bid on a variety of unique items and one-of-a-kind treasures.  Tickets are $50 per person.  All proceeds of the benefit auction will go to The Carying Place.

“It’s going to be a fun night with an important mission,” Executive Director Alice McCall said.  “The Carying Place’s annual benefit auction is successful because of the generosity of the citizens and businesses of our community who have a passion for a program that provides security, stability, a place of many resources and opportunities, support and understanding.”

To attend or become a sponsor of The Carying Place’s Ninth Annual Benefit Auction, or for further information about The Carying Place, contact Alice McCall at 919-462-1800 or visit www.thecaryingplace.org.

Photos Provided By The Carolina Fury

Cary, NC – Fueled by a competitive spirit and powered by determination, the Carolina Fury Power Wheelchair Hockey Team plays hard, plays big and plays to win.  Last year, the Fury organized and hosted Raleigh’s first PowerHockey Invitational, which brought together electric wheelchair hockey teams from around the country.

Canada Bound?

The team’s next big goal is to compete in the 2010 PowerHockey World Cup to be held in Toronto, Canada in August.  On May 8th at Buffaloe Lanes in Cary, The Carolina Fury Power Wheelchair Hockey Team will be hosting a huge fund-raising event. Form your own bowling team and come join the fun.

Organizers of the Bowl-A-Thon and Silent Auction are Kerry and Pat Beach.  Their 13 year old son Chris has Muscular Dystrophy and is confined to a power wheelchair.  Being part of this hockey team gives him a bit of “normal” in a the middle-school world that is built so often to leave him out.

Kerry Beach says, “This program enables all the players to form valuable friendships and stay connected socially.  It provides parents and caregivers with opportunities to connect with others that are undergoing similar day-to-day challenges and to exchange ideas on how to overcome them in a positive way.  We’re so very grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and give our warmest thanks to the Hurricanes for their ongoing inspiration and support”.

Proceeds from the Bowl-A-Thon and Silent Auction will allow the players to travel to Canada and compete in the premier, internationally recognized powerhockey event.  Besides pledge money raised by bowlers, the silent auction will have some exceptional items up for bidding, including:

• Executive sky box for a Carolina Hurricanes Hockey game
• Diamond Hurricanes “dogtag” necklace from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
• Golf weekend in Pinehurst, NC
• Golf weekend at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in PA
• Signed Hurricanes memorabilia, and much more.

The Carolina Fury Power Wheelchair Hockey Team needs to raise $15,000 to get to Toronto for the World Cup.  This is a huge opportunity for these amazing competitors.  To help get them there, you can make a donation to the Carolina Fury Team, bid in the silent auction, or form a bowling team to raise money.  To form a bowling team, send an email to www.ncewha@ncpowerhockey.com with the names and t-shirt sizes of your team members.  The team that raises the most money wins an executive sky box at a Hurricane’s game.

Funds raised beyond those needed for World Cup travel expenses will be used to establish additional PowerHockey teams in North Carolina so every electric wheelchair hockey player can experience the joy of sports and the thrill of competition.

The Whimsical Science-based Art of Rachel von Roeschlaub Will Be Raffled Off at the Event

Cary, NC — The Chatham Street Café is set to host “Handmade for Haiti”, an afternoon of shopping for local handmade items to benefit Doctors Without Borders.

A selection of eleven local artists and designers will be selling accessories, bath and body products, home décor items, jewelry, soy candles and more—perfect for Mother’s Day gifts!

Check it out from 3 – 6 pm on Sunday, April 18.

Artisans

Here’s a list of local artists participating in the event:

Dillardville Birdhouses–Whimsically crafted and hand painted birdhouses made from recycled materials
Janice Originals–Fine designer jewelry
JustNeem–Natural body care products with Neem from West Africa
Mama Turtle–Natural hand poured soy candles
Meg Smither–Original design and hand painted silk scarves
My Kid’s Laundry–Custom made children clothing & hair accessories
Mutant Angel–Hand embroidery
Old North Images–Photography from the Old North State
Sassy Strands–Creative jewelry designs
SSD Jewelry–Mixed metal & etched hand crafted jewelry
The Chubby Dove–Custom handmade home décor for all ages

Proceeds and Prizes

Proceeds from a charity raffle as well as a portion of all vendor sales will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.

Raffle tickets will be for sale at the event for $5 each for a chance to win fabulous products or services from area businesses and artists, including original Rachel von Roeschlaub paintings, a voucher for Carolina RailHawks game tickets, and gift cards for services from Skin Sense, Namaste Yoga, and more.  Food and Beverages will be available for purchase.

Local artist Kellie Loomis is coordinating this event.

“’Handmade for Haiti’” is all about helping out Doctors Without Borders to aid in the Haiti relief efforts, focusing on post surgical care and mental health.  Although many other organizations are leaving Haiti, Doctors Without Borders is maintaining a presence,” Loomis told CaryCitizen.

The Chatham Street Café is located at 140 E Chatham St in Downtown Cary.

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CaryCitizen Community News is sponsored by FrantzForHouse.org.

Folks are locked up at Lucky 32 restaurant to raise "bail" for Muscular Dystrophy

Story and photos by guest contributor Gina Wilcox

Cary, NC- The Triangle area community is guilty. Guilty of having a big heart.

On March 25, 2010, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) held a “Lock Up” fundraising event.  During this fundraiser, local business and community leaders agreed to be “arrested” for having a “Big Heart” for Jerry’s Kids. 

Book ‘Em Danno

In this fun MDA Lock-Up, the “Jailbirds” were whisked from their residences and places of business, where they were brought by cars donated for the event by Johnson Hyundai Subaru to the Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen restaurant in Cary.

Upon arrival, souvenir mug shots were taken of the volunteer jailbirds, and the presiding Judge James Brittingham along with his Court Assistant Charlie Riesbeck then sentenced them to raising their “bail” for MDA contributions.

For the second year in a row, the “Friendly Felons” were treated to tasty cuisine by Lucky 32.  Participants then spent some time on the phone calling friends, relatives and associates to raise their “bail”.

Bail Set at $106,000

This is the third largest fundraising event for the Triangle MDA, and an astounding $106,000 was raised for various MDA services – including sending Triangle area kids to summer camps and supporting local clinics.

LaDonna Greene was the top Jailbird raising over $2,700.

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

MDA’s services program includes diagnostic and follow-up medical consultations, flu shots, support groups, MDA summer camps for youngsters, a medical equipment loan program, assistance with equipment repairs and resource referral.

Through its national advocacy program, MDA works to make life better for people with muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases by providing representation in matters of public policy and research advancement, nationally and internationally; and facilitating active involvement in these areas by the people it serves.

CARY, N.C. – Gayla Bonke, owner and chef at Chatham Street Café, located at 140 E. Chatham St., has announced that the restaurant will host a fundraiser and wine tasting event on Monday, March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to benefit the Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Chatham Street Café and the cost is $25 per person, which includes tapas, one beverage (wine, beer, soda) and a wine tasting.  Attendees will have the opportunity to bid in a silent auction on items from Total Wine; Tammy Clements Style Studios; Charlotte Duke, LMBT Massage Therapy; Cooper’s Furniture; and Carafe.

Walk for the Cause

The event will be held in memory of John Bohnel.  All proceeds will go to the JohnnyB’s LUNAtics team in support of the Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS. The event is April 10 at 10 a.m. at the Credit Suisse campus.  The 3K walk will help fund the vital patient services program and ALS research.

ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” is a progressive motor neuron disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, damaging upper and lower motor neurons.  There is no known cause or cure, and it affects everyone differently.  Nearly 5,600 people each year in the United States alone are diagnosed with ALS.

Cary, N.C. -  On Saturday, March 13, Bond Park will host the Push the Pace 5K for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research.  Registration can be done on-line or at 9 am on the day of the event – $20 in advance, $25 on Saturday.  The race begins at 10 am.  Each registrant will receive a free t-shirt.

All of the proceeds from Push the Pace will be donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, founded in 1991.  In years past, children diagnosed with brain tumors would rarely survive to adulthood.  However, now with the right tools, researchers from this foundation are able to develop a better understanding of how to extend the lives of children.  According to the foundation, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research.

Vickie Maxwell contributed to this article.

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This week’s CaryCitizen is sponsored by FrantzForHouse.org.

Cary, N.C. – Mimi’s Cafe at Cary Towne Center is helping AniMall Pet Adoption and Outreach.   On Tuesday March 16th Mimi’s will be donating AniMall 15% of all sales that are accompanied by this flyer.

AniMall itself is also located at the Cary Towne Center mall.

AniMall offers rescues & shelters a place to showcase their adoptable animals to increase their chances for adoption.  It also provides outreach by educating the public on adoption, fostering, pet ownership, and proper pet care including diet and enrichment.

Most of the pets at AniMall are from no-kill rescue groups.  AniMall does not work with breeders or mills.  They have cats for adoption every day in the “Cat Shack” area and host dog adoption events every Saturday and Sunday as well as offering other more exotic pets for adoption.

Vickie Maxwell contributed to this article.

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The news is sponsored by FrantzForHouse.org