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Our Beginning
On behalf of Rachel's family, we would like to thank Travis Mahugh, Attorney at Law, for his legal services; Gina Almonte for helping make Rachel's artwork into beautiful graphics; Katie Brooks for her editorial advice; Matthew Longhurst, CPA for his accounting and bookkeeping advice; and the extended Team Henley family for their endless support. With the help of all of you, we are able to make Rachel's dream a reality.
2015 Stories
On August 15, 2015, we were selected as the featured charity at the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association's annual picnic called Lawyer Palooza! We had a tent set up, met many great people, and raised over $600. Read more here.
On October 27, 2015, we held our first fundraising event at Casa Mia of Lakewood and raised $2581.48! People enjoyed delicious food and live music by The O's. Read more about this great event here.
On December 19, 2015, a group of foundation friends enjoyed cookies, cocoa, and caroling in the Henley's neighborhood. In addition, small toys and games were collected for the Mary Bridge Hematology-Oncology Clinic. Learn more here!
On December 21, 2015, the board and friends of the foundation served dinner and hosted cookie decorating and crafts at MultiCare's Tree House to help bring a smile to their face while their family member stays in the hospital. Read more here.
In December 2015, we announced that our next donation would go towards research, specifically to Rachel's oncologist, Dr. Seth Pollack, at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. We're excited to say that we donated $6,000 directly to Dr. Pollack and through a donor matching campaign, our donation was matched with another $6,000 to the general fund at Fred Hutch that will go towards all research! Learn more here.
2016 Stories
On January 18, 2016, a few of us went to the Mary Bridge hematology/oncology clinic to do crafts with the kids while they waited for their appointments. We also delivered the small toys and games that were donated at our caroling event! Read more here.
On February 21, 2016, we held our First Annual Sip 'N Float event at the Point Ruston Ferry in Tacoma, WA. Guests enjoyed beer, wine, appetizers, a chocolate fountain, entertainment, and a gorgeous view as they celebrated our 2015 successes with us and learned about our 2016 plans! Read more here.
In March 2016, we had the amazing opportunity of meeting our Wish Kid, Ianna, while helping make her wish of going to Hawaii extra special! Thanks to our amazing supporters and Make-A-Wish, we were able to send goodies to the family for their trip, greet them at the airport for their departure and arrival, and form unforgettable memories. Read more here.
On April 24, 2016, we had our annual auction at Steel Creek in Tacoma. This was our first auction as a foundation, but not as Team Henley and it was by far our largest event that we've ever had. We had over 350 donated items and raised over $25,000! Read more here.
In May 2016, we were fortunate enough to donate $6,000 to The Goodtimes Project, a local non-profit that holds Camp Goodtimes each year. This camp is a "no-cost pediatric oncology camp for patients, survivors, and siblings affected by cancer." In addition to our donation, we were able to attend skit night at both camp sessions and experienced what a joy this camp really is. Read more here.
In May 2016, local artist Mary Mann worked with artists Lance Kagey and Tom Llewellyn of Beautiful Angle to design an amazing, hand-crafted poster in Rachel's honor. The poster featured a ladybug with artwork on the wings that was inspired by Rachel and had Stadium High School in the background. Many of the posters were then hung around Tacoma for people to find! Learn more here!
On June 2016, we were honored to partner with Headbands of Hope, an organization that donates a headband to a child with cancer for every headband purchased. Not only did they donate 10% of their proceeds for all purchases during the week of June 19th, but they also created a ladybug headband pack in Rachel's honor and donated 100% of those proceeds to the foundation. In the end, they donated over $540 to us and many headbands were donated! Read more here.
In July 2016, local artist Mary Mann and her students at SAMI created a stunning ladybug mural in Rachel's honor. The mural was hung at 5609 N 51st Street for everyone to enjoy. In addition, we were invited to a plaque dedication for the mural on July 30th, 2016 during Ruston Family Days! Read more here!
On June 11, 2016, the foundation was honored to sponsor the brand new Caregiver Garden at Relay for Life. This was a way for families to honor their special caregivers who play such a huge role in their lives as they battle cancer. Read more here!
On June 28, 2016, the board and friends of the foundation served our second dinner at Multi Care's Tree House. This time, the dinner was summer themed and featured a delicious BBQ dinner, make your own sundaes, and patriotic and ladybug crafts! Read more here.
In August 1, 2016, our president/Rachel's mom did an interview in Rachel's honor with Nancy Pickett, the Executive Director of The Golden Truth documentary. The goal of the documentary is to show the truth behind pediatric cancer and they "believe that showing the reality of what kids are facing will stimulate positive change in the childhood cancer community by raising awareness and bringing in funding for research." Learn more here!
On August 9, 2016, we were able to help Ladybug House, a non-profit working to build a pediatric cancer hospice house, give Terrance, a fellow fighter, a special night out at the Seattle Mariners game. In addition to the hospice house, Ladybug House works to enrich the lives of kids and young adults going through difficult times and we were so excited for the opportunity to partner with them! Learn more here.
On August 12, 2016, we were very fortunate to host ladybug themed games, crafts, and tasty ice cream floats for dessert at the Mary Bridge Hematology/Oncology Clinic Water Blaster Party! This annual event features a BBQ dinner and water battle between the patients and their doctors/nurses from the clinic and is a wonderful way for the kids to just be kids. Read more here.
On August 13, 2016, we had a booth at the annual Fox Island FICRA Fair. This fair was a favorite of Rachel's growing up and seemed like a fitting place for us to share information about our foundation. We also sold photography by Rachel and some of her friends/family and had a drawing for one of our Ladybug Effect posters and some of the featured photography! Learn more here.
On August 29, 2016, we had a Night Out at the Tacoma Rainiers game versus the Fresno Grizzlies with a portion of all of the tickets that our supporters purchased from us went towards our mission! We enjoyed cheering our our team, eating tasty ballpark food, and hanging out with each other! We can't wait to do it again next season. Learn more here.
On September 16, 2016, we were the featured charity at a local Glassybaby road show! 10% of all sales at the show and from online purchases were donated to our foundation. We had a great turnout and raised over $500 that will go towards our mission! Read more here!
On September 24, 2016, we hosted our first annual FootGolf Tournament at Fort Steilacoom Golf Course. We had nine teams join us for a friendly competition on this beautiful fall day. We had tons of team spirit, laughter, and tasty drinks and snacks all while raising money for the foundation! Learn more here.
In October 2016, the Henley family had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta to share Rachel's story and the Ladybug Effect with approximately 300 people at a national conference. Professionals from across the country who attended this conference each took home a hand-painted ladybug rock and information about the foundation. Read more here!
On October 20, 2016, we held a takeover at Casa Mia of Lakewood with a portion of the proceeds from purchases made throughout the day going to the foundation. We also held our Adopt a Buddy fundraiser at the same time with the hope of sponsoring the purchase of 250 stuffed buddies to be delivered by Santa at the annual Mary Bridge Hem/Onc Holiday Party, which we met thanks to our amazing donors! Read more here!
In October, 2016, we announced our $12,000 donation to the Seattle Children's Hospital Clinical Trials Fund, which will allow three children to participate in a clinical trial at Seattle Children's! New trials provide hope for a cure with fewer impacts on the body. They can also help stabilize the disease, allowing families more precious time together. Learn more here!
In October 2016, we announced that we made a donation of $5,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to begin the process of granting another wish to a local Wish Kid! We loved making Ianna's wish so special and can't wait to share more details with you as we continue through the match process. Learn more here!
On November 19, 2016, we had the opportunity to host another dinner at MultiCare's Tree House for families whose family members are in the hospital. We had a taco bar, yummy cookies, and fun fall crafts. Read more here!
On December 2, 2016, we were thrilled to help out at the annual Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic Holiday Party! We were able to assist Santa in getting 250 buddies to their new homes and host a cookie decorating table for the sweet kids and their families. Read more here!
On December 11, 2016, several of our followers participated in lighting candles to honor Rachel and too many others who passed away as part of The Compassionate Friends/USA's Worldwide Candle Lighting event. People across the world lit candles at 7:00pm local time and created a virtual wave of light across the country. Learn more here!
On December 17, 2016, over 30 people gathered to spread holiday cheer across the North Tacoma neighborhood as part of our second annual Caroling and Toy Drive event. We sang loud and clear, enjoyed cookies and hot cocoa, and received over $650 worth of toys and goodies for the Mary Bridge Hem/Onc Clinic treasure chest! Read more here!
On December 19, 2016, we were so excited to host our 3rd dinner at MultiCare's Tree House this year. The holiday spirit was very present as people enjoyed a yummy Italian dinner, decorated cookies, and did fun holiday crafts. Read more here!
In December 2016, we made our second research donation of $6,000 to Seattle Children's Hospital to support Dr. Abby Rosenberg's research on resilience in young adult cancer fighters. Dr. Rosenberg's important research is a great fit for our mission of funding research and providing patient support. Read more here!
In December 2016, we were excited to make a $2,000 donation to Beads of Courage, an organization that Rachel had hoped to support when she envisioned her foundation. They provide beautiful glass beads to cancer fighters to help document their journey and tell their story. Our donation will help support their Trade Bead Experience and their Bead Strong Program! Read more here!
On January 20, 2017, we had a great time cheering on one of our amazing sponsors, the Tacoma Stars, as they played (and WON!) against the Turlock Express. We even got to go on the field and meet one of the players! Read more here!
On February 11, 2017, we held our second annual social event - Sip 'N Hugs - where we enjoyed delicious food, beer, wine, and desserts while celebrating all of our amazing accomplishments in 2016 and announcing our very special Rachel's Hugs program. We are so excited to say that raised over $1,350 which will all go towards Rachel's Hugs! Learn more here!
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