In February, 2014, Susan Volenec (Tyler's aunt) delivered over 20 Valentine gift bags for children in active treatment in the Pediatric Oncology department at Marshfield Clinic.Bringing smiles to children and their families struggling with pediatric cancer – that is the mission statement of the Tyler Volenec Foundation, or Tyler's Touch. The Volenec family, along with countless volunteers, work to fulfill that mission year after year to pediatric oncology patients in the Chicago and central Wisconsin areas.
Family Support Packs are assembled and distributed in memory of Tyler, who passed away from leukemia at the age of 2. The bags are sewn by volunteers and their contents include everything from books, puzzles, games, and movies, to art supplies and gift cards for families. During this very difficult time for pediatric oncology patients and their families, Tyler's Touch works to provide support and smiles that can often be hard to come by.
Girl Scout birthday wish
For her 10th birthday, Haley Van Wyhe, a member of Girl Scout Troop 7055, asked her friends to bring gifts from the Pediatric Oncology treasure chest instead of gifts for her.
Haley and her troop pose with their goodies for the Pediatric Oncology treasure chest at Marshfield Clinic.
Haley's friends arrived at her party loaded with health care supplies, tote bags, fuzzy socks, puzzle books, stuffed animals, blankets, and of course, Girl Scout cookies! The gifts were delivered to Marshfield Clinic and placed in the Pediatric Oncology treasure chest for children to select during their appointments.
Krause family garage sale
Young cancer survivor Will Krause and his brother Ben wanted to help raise money for the Krause Family Pediatric Oncology Angel Fund that was created in honor of Will. After bugging their parents, the Krauses decided to host a garage sale and donate all the proceeds to the Angel Fund.
While mom and dad ran the garage sale, Will and Ben sold cookies to the shoppers. While the sale itself was a success, many chose to give donations on top of their shopping tab, bringing the garage sale proceeds to $1,133.75.
Coins for Caring
The Kindergarten students at Grant Elementary, dressed in orange to show their support of Will’s battle with leukemia, gather in the gym to present their donation to Marshfield Clinic. During the month of February, Grant school kindergarten teachers decided to turn their president, friendship and money units into something meaningful for their students and the community.
Each kindergarten class collected coins in honor of Will Krause, their classmate and inspiration for the project. As the coin collection grew, the students practiced counting the money and talked about each of the presidents represented on the coins.
At the end of the month the students gathered together to present their coin collection – totaling an amazing $1,845 – to Marshfield Clinic in support of the Krause Family Pediatric Cancer Angel Fund.
Medford 2nd Grade gift exchange for Pediatric Oncology patients
Medford Area Public Schools 2nd graders deliver wagons full of toys to be donated to Marshfield Clinic Pediatric Oncology patients. Medford 2nd graders decided to do something a little different with their holiday gift exchange this year. Instead of bringing in gifts for each other, they choose to donate those gifts to children who are receiving cancer treatment at Marshfield Clinic.
The outpouring of generosity from the students resulted in two wagons and several boxes of toys. The children who delivered the toys had smiles that reached from ear to ear, knowing that they were making a difference to the cancer patients who are kids just like them..
Pediatric endocrinology Treasure Chest
Sheri Meissner knows the realities and inconveniences of a diabetes diagnosis first hand. Daily finger pricks, insulin shots and constant monitoring of blood glucose levels is not easy for anyone to get used to. However she has always felt fortunate that the diagnosis was hers, not her children's, as the constant monitoring of what you eat and the way you live is so tough for children.
In the fall of 2012, Sheri began collecting toys for use in the pediatric endocrinology treasure chests. Each appointment these kids come to, they get to leave with a special treasure.
Sheri got her friends, family and children involved collecting and purchasing treasures for other kids to enjoy. Sheri's children Emmett, Jordana and Dawson are also actively involved in buying toys to give to others, and give a portion of their allowance proceeds to do so. Sheri enjoys watching her kids spend their earned allowance on others saying, "Involving our kids and teaching them to give back is such an important lesson."
Fore the Kids - "9 Years and One Million Reasons"
Children in the Marshfield area have more than a million reasons to celebrate after the 9th annual Steven Meissner Memorial "Fore the Kids" golf event surpassed the $1 million mark for pediatric needs at Marshfield Clinic and the community.
The event was created in memory of Steven Meissner, who was killed in a car accident in 2005. He was passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and believed every child deserves happiness. The goal of this event is to provide and improve education, health, family and the overall well-being of children's lives.
Marshfield area youth express their thanks for the Fore the Kids event surpassing the $1 million mark.
Fast forward nine years and the event has grown spectacularly. This year alone there were more than 200 volunteers and participants, and the event raised $134,000. Over the years, proceeds from Fore the Kids have gone to the Marshfield Child Advocacy Center, Youth Net, the Pediatric Angel Fund, and Pediatric needs.
This year, the Youth Net program at Marshfield Clinic's Center for Community Outreach was the primary benefactor of the funds raised. Youth Net is an after school educational and prevention program serving young students in the Marshfield area.
Youth Net offers a variety of academic and educational programs, and targets social personal development. These include a Healthy Lifestyle Program that focuses on preventing and managing childhood obesity, a Bicycle Program that not only teaches students how to repair a bike, but gives them valuable job-seeking skills, and a Bullying Project, helping students recognize bullying situations and properly avoid and report them.
Fore the Kids relies on the hard work of event organizers Dave and Tammy Meissner, the Meissner Family, Marshfield Clinic Development and generous sponsors to be successful. They in turn credit more than 50 volunteers who work for months leading up to the event and the event itself.
Mike's Run
Marshfield resident Mike Hackman struggled with mental illness for most of the 45 years he was alive. To the outside world, he was a hard-working man who always had a smile on his face, but only his close friends and relatives knew of the personal struggles he dealt with daily.
He underwent multiple treatments that just could not help. Mike ended his battle with mental illness on June 23, 2010.
Mike was a great father, friend, son, and brother. In high school, he was a state champion track and cross country runner. Running was one of Mike's passions, which is why his siblings, friends and parents Jack and JoAnne were compelled to team up with Marshfield Clinic to create an event to honor Mike's memory. They wanted to raise public awareness – and reduce the stigma – of mental health.
The 4th Annual Mike's Run was held on Saturday June 21st at Jack Hackman Field in Marshfield. Hundreds of participants and sponsors came together to raise $34,000.
The funds from this event are utilized by Marshfield Clinic's Behavioral Health Department to provide community conferences, new treatment options and support groups for those who struggle with mental illness.
