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3/4/2007 The generosity of our community continues. Carol, a member of our committee shares this story... "Julia (my daughter) brought home an envelope from school yesterday. There was a dart tournament held recently to raise money for SCC Senior Scholarships. They
also sold raffle tickets. The second prize was $500 cash. The winner refused to take the money, insisting that it be given to Joni's medical expense fund. The donor wished to remain anonymous."

And there are many other stories, other anonymous donors, other unsolicited spontaneous acts of generosity and support. Thank you for keeping Joni in your thoughts and prayers. We will continue to share news and updates about Joni and her progress frequently on this page.

2/20/2007 What a fantastic success! We have now gathered results from both Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Roberts Lions Club. We raised over $85,000 from the Banquet event and Kitchen Raffle combined! This includes all monies raised at the Mid-Winter Extravaganza event including: silent auction, live auction, entrance cost, table sponsors, games and contests, beverages, bake sale, children's carnival, tips, and other donations, as well as all ticket sales for the Kitchen Raffle. We thank everyone for making this such a great fundraising success and a wonderful gathering of friends, families, neighbors and a whole community. We have had so many positive reactions, and we are grateful to all of you for your contributions and support.

All funds raised by this committee are directly applied to medical costs. The costs of medical services, including diagnostic procedures, chemotherapies, surgeries, radiation treatments, and other needs are astronomical and seem beyond reach. However, the generosity of so many has created a beginning of hope, and allowed Joni and her family a chance to focus on healing during this difficult time. Thank You.

2/8/2007 Please view our "Thank You" page. Many details and important information will be updated here over the next few days.

2/4/2007 The Mid-Winter Extravaganza Banquet success exceeded all expectations and hopes. Heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone involved with this inspirational community show of love and determination. Many details and important information will be updated here over the next few days.

Kitchen Raffle Winners:

First Place:
Renato Otten
St. Paul, MN

Second Place:
Dennis or Jacqueline Mitchell
New Richmond, WI

Third Place:
Carol Bodish
Hammond, WI

The following is a note from Joni that was printed on the banquet program Saturday night:

~~~~~~~~~~~

A note from Joni . . .

To all my family, friends, and community, along with their families,
friends, and communities:

You have allowed me time to heal, patience in communication, and caring
which has gone beyond that of adored royalty. With all this support, there
is no battle that can be lost. The change in my life has been dramatic, but
I feel now more than ever, I can make a difference. I appreciate all that
has been done. Consistently I have said, "Who am I? I am no different than
many who suffer." Yet you are all piecing me together. Through everything,
from cards and e-mails to prayer chains and prayer blankets, from meals and
monies to books and bracelets, gift cards, phone calls, hugs and
handshakes-everyone has shared in our grief and our triumphs. My family and
I have discussed value. Quite often more is spent to warrant a larger
notice, but the one who gives $1 is deserving of the same notice as the one
who gives $1000 if that is what they feel they can give. All who will read
this have, I am sure, touched me in some way. I am more grateful than you
can even imagine to have the blessings of so many. What my future holds, I
do not know. Facing it with all of you makes it not so scary, almost a
challenge to see what can happen and what will be done.

Personal thanks must go to my husband who has faced this struggle with me
and is always there at the end of the day to help me feel secure. To my
kids who show me love and support daily . . . who listen to explanations of
tears and thoughts which they may not understand, yet embrace me in the end.
To our families who always seem to know when and how they are needed.
Finally, to the committee-Carol and Mark Morgen, Peter VanDusartz, Jo Marie
Johnson, Cindy Redmon, Kim Nielsen, Julie Nelson, Steve & Julie Biedler,
Beth Mondor, Kris Granberg, Mary Brooks, Natalie Otten, Elaine Starck, Julie
Harrington, Wayne Harper & Holly Lunde. Even though they weren't part of
the "official" committee, George and Emily Vondriska have helped out
tremendously through scheduling meal donations, along with bringing in most
of the tools and related items. Without these people, I truly don't know
where I'd be. With this diverse group, there is no obstacle which can't be
overcome. I owe you my sincere thanks. If ever you are in need, I am here
for you all.

Love, Joni

~~~~~~~~~~~

1/30/07 Whew! Things are really heating up now. Lot's of great support and contributions, like L&M's Bar in Roberts getting us "beverages" at cost and donating some, and Gibby's Lanes in New Richmond contributing pop. These kinds of local business contributions are making all the difference in allowing us to produce such a grand event at low costs to maximize our fundraising success. Thanks to all of you, for pitching in with such generosity.

And the auction items keep rolling in too. Many large items have just shown up on the list, like the Hand Made Fly Fishing Rod valued at over $1,200.00 and the 42” Samsung Plasma HDTV valued at over $1,600.00.

Looks like it'll be a cold night outside, so please be safe traveling, be patient with our parking (we have recruited a crew to manage the traffic) and please car pool with each other as much as possible to reduce parking overflow. You may want to meet in Hudson and carpool from there. It will be more fun that way too!

But it will be hoppin hot inside! We've really got a party packed and waiting to pop! Bring your dancin shoes, your warm cheer, and your checkbooks and wallets too! You won't want to miss out on all of the treasures and fun and a chance to really make a difference for Joni and her family.

1/26/07 Two articles were published in the Central St. Croix News on January 25 2007. Also, an article featuring Joni's story was also published in the Hudson Star Observer weekly newspaper, on January 26 2007. CLICK HERE to read them on the "About Joni" page.

Thank you to both newspapers for your respectful and dignified depiction of Joni and her family, and for supporting our fundraising efforts.

1/25/07 We are continuing to accept donations of items for our auctions and door prizes at the Mid-Winter Extravaganza Banquet, and we will be accepting items right up until the event. Please contact Pete VanDusartz at petervandusartziii@hotmail.com or at 612-396-6313 to contribute.

1/22/07 The Committee is working hard to organize and prepare the Auction Items. Many of these items will be Door Prizes given away throughout the day and evening. There are also a wide variety of silent auction items to choose from. CLICK HERE for pictures of just a few of the items available at the Mid-Winter Extravaganza Banquet.

1/17/07 The Basketball Tournament was a fantastic success and a phenomenal event. So many people volunteered their time to make this happen. Proceeds from the tournament were $10,000!!! Thank you to all the volunteers, school staff and administration, players, coaches and parents, and everyone else who joined in and made this happen.

More and more donations, volunteers, and hard work keeps pouring in toward the Mid-Winter Extravaganza Banquet event. Rick at RJ's Meats is donating all the potato salad and beans for 500 people. Is he incredible or what!!! If you shop there please let him know how much we appreciate him. There are many, many more businesses and individuals also contributing food, service and items. The Auction Items web page is being updated nearly every day with more items. Check all pages frequently for updates and new information.

Kitchen Raffle tickets are continually on sale and will be on sale at the Home & Remodeling Show, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27-28 in River Falls, and also be available for purchase at the Mid-Winter Extravaganza Banquet.

1/5/07 Joni is about to begin the radiation treatment phase. Joni and Charlie are deeply grateful for all of the support and prayers from so many people.

We're very close to the banquet, the Mid-Winter Extravaganza on Saturday Feb 3rd, and we need to sell Kitchen Raffle tickets before then. The committee is very busy since we are also hosting the Basketball Tournament on Jan 13 and 14. We're also still collecting items for the auctions and table sponsors, and preparing for the banquet.

We need more help, especially in getting the word out about Kitchen Raffle tickets. Click here for the Kitchen Raffle Flier that you can print and post, hand out to friends, family and co-workers, or email to everyone on your email list. Also, we could use more help selling the tickets. It's not a tough sale, many people are eager to buy once they hear about the prizes and about our cause. To sell tickets, contact any member of our committee or Pete VanDusartz at 612-396-6313 or at petervandusartziii@hotmail.com or Mark Morgen at 715-749-4106 or at mark@morgen.us

We can also use more volunteers for the banquet, especially with the children's carnival activities and childcare supervision.

I recently became aware that the link to the VIDEO regarding Inflammatory Breast Cancer at the top of all of our pages had become a dead link. That link is now repaired. If you have tried to access the video in the past but were unable to, please try the link now and view the story, it explains very important information in a short, powerful report.

If you want to leave a message for Joni, Charlie, or the kids, please go to Joni's Blog and post a comment. They are checked frequently.

***Kitchen Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase at the Mid-Winter Extravaganza Banquet on Saturday, February 3rd 2007.***

When buying or selling Kitchen Raffle tickets, checks should be made out to: "Roberts Lions Club, c/o VanDusartz".

12/18/06 The Kitchen Raffle is on!

And that means it's time to get busy, since we only have ONE MONTH to sell oodles and oodles of tickets for this fabulous raffle with THREE FANTASTIC PRIZES!

We need your help:

* Please spread the word by sending an email to everyone you know that might be interested in winning a free new kitchen. Talk to all of your family and friends, bring it up at work, at church, and direct them to this website : http://www.supportjoni.com (<<< copy and past that URL into your emails)

* Please consider selling Raffle Tickets for us by contacting any member of our committee or Pete VanDusartz at 612-396-6313 or at petervandusartziii@hotmail.com or Mark Morgen at 715-749-4106 or at mark@morgen.us

* Promote the raffle by posting a flier in a public place in your area, buying tickets at one of the retail outlets listed on the Kitchen Raffle page, or ask a retailer you know to sell tickets for us also at their place of business.

Remember, the first prize kitchen alone is valued at over $25,000.00, all material and labor donated by friends, so we need to sell as many tickets as possible in the next four weeks.

This news just in! We now have a confirmed buyer, so that any person who wins the first prize kitchen package can choose to immediately sell that prize to our confirmed buyer for $10,000.00!!! That means anyone can benefit by buying a ticket and have the potential of winning an incredible prize, whether they want a new kitchen or not!

12/06/06 Joni looks great! New developments from our committee meeting on 12/04/06 include:

* A new raffle is being planned. First prize is "A custom designed, brand new, full kitchen including; custom built cabinets, custom built countertops, design, installation, plumbing labor and more." Many companies and individuals are teaming together to offer this once in a lifetime prize. Total retail value estimated at over $25,000.00. Second prize is a custom built hardwood bookcase cabinet with a unique surprise. Third place prize is a custom built countertop. All items are "high-end" quality materials and workmanship. All details will be posted on this website very soon.

* A Hypnotist has been signed to perform at the Banquet. AL KAYTRAZ- Hypnotist/Escape Artist will perform at 8:00pm.

* Col. Ken Zak of ZAK AUCTIONEERING has been signed for our live auction at the Banquet.

* New items (including an autographed Green Bay Packers football) are being added to the auctions list, and many more are being asked for. Many new updates will be added to the website soon, so check back often, and don't forget to spread the word by emailing your friends and family.

11/26/06 Joni went through major surgery on Tuesday, November 21. All went as planned. Early test results ... "showed no residual cancer," and this is considered the best possible news at this time. Because of the extremely aggressive nature of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Joni required months of very intense chemotherapy before surgery, to reduce the chances of it "spreading" (unlike many other types of cancer where surgery is used as soon as possible, then other forms of treatment.) Next, after a brief recovery from surgery, Joni will undergo radiation therapy, and then further chemotherapy. Joni and Charlie and all family and friends are very very grateful for all of the support, help, and prayers that has been offered up to this point. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we continue the battle and further our efforts.

We are testing a "Blog" for this site also, to enable you, anyone, to leave comments here for Joni and Charlie, and everyone to see. Please leave your comments and wishes, and helpful information here.

11/12/06 We now have two "Corporate Sponsors" for our banquet and more on the way. If you know of any business who would be interested in sponsoring one of our tables at our banquet, please direct them to the Sponsors page for all contact information and a form to download, print and mail.

11/01/06 Congratulations to our Gun Raffle WINNERS! And THANK YOU very much to everyone who participated in the raffle. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

10/06/06 Thank you to everyone who made this a successful and memorable evening. Two big events on one night, so many generous friends, and lots of fun too! Thank you to the ALIVE teachers committee and members, and thank you to all who stopped in for the meal at SCC High School. Your generosity and involvement are very appreciated.

Thank you also to everyone who made the Meat Raffle successful and fun. A special thanks to the SIDETRACK SALOON for donating 75% of all sales after 9pm to the "Support Joni" cause!

10/04/06 We are now beginning the process of planning for a larger all day Estate Style Auction. This means we are now seeking items of a wide variety of sizes and types. This auction will probably take place in the Spring. Date and location yet to be determined. Please click on the "Auctions" button above for more information.