Kathy's Camp for Kids

Thank you to all of the Fabulous Women who showed up at PVAC for a fantastic night. Everybody came armed with food for the Petaluma Kitchen, wine, and awesome appetizers! Special thanks to Martha Domont, the owner of PVAC. She was so nice to host the event, and everybody was touched when she shared her personal story. We can all feel very good about having her in Petaluma promoting good health and building strong community ties.

We kicked off the night with a speech from Sadie Martinez. She thanked the group for helping her family through a difficult time when her husband, Eddie, went through brain surgery. We raised over $6,300.00. She expressed gratitude and reported that Eddie has recovered beautifully.

The key note speaker was Kathy Van Riper, a mother from Cotati. She was recognized by the TV show, “The View” for her courage as she battles Cancer. Her Cancer has not held her back. Determined to provide to her own children with support as she fights Cancer and goes through treatment, she and her husband have started “Kathy’s Camp.” The vision was to create a safe and supportive environment for kids whose parents are going through Cancer. The camp is designed to educate, and promote fun and understanding. Kathy’s story is heroic and inspiring. The ladies were all moved by our cause to support “Kathy’s Camp.” We managed to raise over $1600.00. Thank you to everyone who offered their generous donations.

For more information about Kathy's Camp for Kid's - to volunteer or make an additional donation, click here (www.kathyscamp.com)


I would also like to acknowledge Lydia Zipp who talked about The Women’s Cancer Awareness Group. She talked about symptoms and services available through her Organization. Lydia has used her own experience with Ovarian Cancer to start this positive foundation in the community. Her greatest priority is to educate women. She continues to demonstrate courage and leadership.

The final discussion was led by Cat Cantos. She is a Cancer Survivor, a nurse, and a mom. She updated the group about the Dutra Asphalt Project. She spoke on behalf of her group, “Moms for Clean Air.” (www.momsforcleanair.net) As an advocate for good health, her group opposes the asphalt project. She encouraged the group to learn more about the negative effects from an asphalt plant on a community and its residents by clicking here (www.nopetalumaasphaltplant.com).

Eddie's Story - Part 2

On December 17th, I had a small group of “Fabulous Women” come to my home. We wanted to present the gifts to Eddie and his wife. When Eddie arrived at my house, he recognized a few people from Mr. Pickles. We introduced him around the room, and he seemed particularly confused when he saw his daughter’s teacher, Kim Bauman, from Grant Elementary there.
We proceeded to tell him about the miracle that this group created. I told him about the intention of the women who participate in the group…. “They are an incredible group of women who come together regularly to eat, drink, socialize and help causes that touch their hearts. Eddie, this time we’ve decided to help your family.” Well, the tears came from most everyone there. Eddie was moved, but unsure of what that meant for him. I think he just felt honored to be considered. I then told him about our gathering and proceeded to give him the gift for the photography session and the pirate party for his kids. He was speechless because it was for his children. I then gave him a gift wrapped box with a brand new wallet inside. He unwrapped the package and said, “This is nice, my wife will like this.” Well, what he didn’t realize was that the wallet had all the cash that was donated along with the checks, food cards, and gift cards for his family. He looked inside the wallet, and it was then that he realized just how generous the group had been.
He hugged me and sobbed.

A few minutes passed and he told the group that the holiday season was a little overwhelming, and he hadn’t thought about shopping for his kids yet. It was the perfect moment to show him my hallway which was bursting from the seams with presents for the whole family. He was in complete shock. He couldn’t believe that so many people were cheering him on and wanting to help his family.
**** (I hope that I described this moment in such a manner that you can take in the joy and gratitude that Eddie felt. It was a magical moment for him and for me to witness)

Eddie went home and shared the gifts with his wife. She too was speechless. This group should feel so good about how we helped this family. It restored their faith in others and faith that they are not alone…………they are going to be ok. I would like to mention that ironically, Sadie had an appointment the following day to take care of her wisdom teeth. It happened to be with the same oral surgeon’s office, Dr. Robert Allen, who supported Eddie’s cause from the beginning. They had already donated money and gifts to the whole family, and then they proceeded to take care of Sadie’s surgery bill. It was for an undisclosed amount….but you can imagine how generous that was. That was unbelievable!

Please keep Eddie and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Eddie had successful brain surgery on January 5th, 2009.

Eddie and his story

Thank you to all of the Fabulous Women who embraced the last cause for our Women’s Group. The response was unbelievable! On December 11th, I hosted an intimate gathering at my house…..
65 women showed up! Everyone was armed with something, fancy bottles of wine, delicious appetizers, checks for our cause and gifts galore. The spirit of giving was truly in the air!

Many of you were moved by Eddie’s story and his family. In fact, the e-mail that I sent out about Eddie reached far beyond our regular group. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it circulated through
Grant Elementary, which Eddie’s kids attend. I received countless e-mails from members of the community that I’ve never even met who committed to helping Eddie’s family. I received several checks and cards from women who wanted to attend the event, but couldn’t make it. It was awesome!

In the three years that we’ve been gathering in the name of charity, there has never been such an incredible and generous response. It sounds a bit over-stated, but “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” When I looked around my house and saw so many women who believed in the vision of this group, I felt complete joy. I realized that you can combine parties and philanthropy. We can eat, drink socialize, network and make a difference all in the same night! It’s hard to do that a lone, but collectively, our “Fabulous Women’s Group” is a force to be reckoned with, and that makes me proud.

Here is the recap on the funds / gifts raised for Eddie’s Family:

$ 1310.00 in cash
$495.00 in gift / food cards
$1,000.00 in checks
A private pirate party donated to Eddie’s kids ($1,600.00 value)
CABI clothes donated to Eddie’s wife: (approx. $350.00 value)
A photography session for Eddie’s family along with digital images and a family portrait: (approx. $200.00 value)
An air hockey donated to Eddie’s kids: (approx. $400.00)
Assorted Christmas gifts for their family of 6: (approx. $800.00)

Total thus far: $6, 355.00 (not including the gift from Dr. Allen’s office)


To read the Press Democrat story, click here

The Perkins Family

Kerry Ronstad and Jill Stark hosted the night. In addition to having fun with women and helping a special family, we were able to raise our awareness about Recycling. That’s right, the women got a little greener! With the help of Kathleen Garber, an educator from Green Waste, we were able to learn about making better choices around our homes and doing our part for the earth. It sounds crazy, but everyone left feeling empowered. Thanks to Safeway and Trader Joes, everyone left with their free re-usable bags. Also, we would like to thank Kathleen Garber for educating all of us.

Of course, there was a cause that we raised money for. The Perkins’ Family lives in the Petaluma Community. They have four children. Their baby, Lexi, is under a year old. Lexi has a condition called, Leigh’s Disease, a rare mitochondria disorder. It is an infant onset degeneration of the central nervous system that progresses rapidly and carries a poor prognosis. So far, Lexi has shown signs of muscle weakness, blindness, breathing problems, seizures, loss of ability to swallow, and learning disabilities. The baby has not been able to cry for months because it requires too much energy. This is a military family with a great deal of strength and pride. They have made Lexi the center of their priorities, which includes trips to the doctor and full time care. The family has recently learned that Lexi’s prognosis is not good because 90% of her mitochondria are not functioning properly. This translates into just a few months to a few years left of her life. Needless to say, this family has a difficult road ahead of them. This family is whom we felt needed some extra help, love, and support. This wonderful group of women raised over $1200.00. The family was moved by the generosity and kindness. Lexi’s health has posed a financial stress on the family, and it helped when they needed it most. Money won’t change Lexi’s condition, but it helped serve their family during a difficult time. Thank you to everyone who participated. Please keep the Lexi and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Hannah and her story

Our seventh gathering was at Stephanie Delaney’s house. This was a very special cause for Stephanie because it was for her own daughter, Hannah. Hannah was born with a congenital nevus….this is an extremely large mole. At birth it covered 60% of her body. This is potentially life threatening because the risk for melanoma is very high. Stephanie’s goal for the evening was to raise awareness about the condition and raise enough funds for her and her daughter to go to Texas for a convention. There is an on-line support group called Nevus Outreach. This organization has coordinated an annual convention for people who have nevus and for their family members. The convention offers families a safe place to share their experiences, build relationships with others who live with nevus, and listen to specialists who lecture about surgical options and the prospects for a cure.. There is a wonderful sense of hope for those who participate. This support group has been a lifeline for Stephanie and her family. There were about twenty women who participated in the evening at Stephanie’s house. The group raised $1,000.00. It has covered the costs for hotel fees and for the convention. Stephanie has even been asked to speak at the convention this year. What a gift this group has given to Stephanie and Hannah! Thank you to everyone who donated especially those who couldn’t even be there that night.

Brian and his story

Our sixth gathering was at Sandy Fetter’s house. This gathering was the biggest turnout yet. There were about 40 women present, and the mood was fun and light. The women not only socialized, but also made bracelets and participated in a raffle. Sandy’s cause was for a young man named, Brian. He was diagnosed with Melanoma in his early twenties. What started out as a funny little mole on the back of his leg, turned out to be Skin Cancer. His exposure to the sun when he was a young competitive swimmer had gotten the best of him and threatened his life. Sandy used this as an opportunity to educate the group about the sun and using sunscreen on our kids and ourselves. Brian got diagnosed with his cancer just after he got married and had a daughter named Isabella. He fought his cancer with treatments and his prognosis seemed good. With a second daughter on the way, Brian learned that he had a tumor the size of a golf ball that needed to be removed. It was a dismal situation because his wife was out on maternity leave and he was too ill to work. The group rallied together and raised $2,400.00. Now that’s pretty special! Since Brian’s surgery, he is in remission. His family remains hopeful that he’ll lead a happy and healthy life…..and so do we.

Jake & his story

Our fifth gathering was at Trisha O Haire’s house. This was the gathering that I wish we had a greater turnout. While it’s not my place to say that any one person’s need is more important than another, the reality that life is short was demonstrated through the story of a little boy named Jake. Trisha’s close friend, Sara, was struggling with her son as he battled cancer. With a lot of courage, Jake’s family rallied around him with love and support while they waited to to see if his bone marrow transplant was successful. That was the stage set for our fundraising efforts. There were about twelve women present. We raised a little under $500.00 dollars. The money was for Jake’s mom. We just wanted her to have a little money in her pocket to do whatever she wanted. It’s no secret that this mom’s every bit of energy and attention went toward her family. Sarah used that money to plan a “Perfect Day” for Jake outside of the hospital. The thrill of being picked up in a limo was fantastic. Jake had an incredible day, and there was promise in his prognosis. A very short time after his “Perfect Day” Jake was brought back to the hospital where he passed away. What does one say about the loss of a child? There are no words. There is, however, comfort in knowing that we gathered and helped bring a little joy during a very difficult time. I used to be attached to the idea of having a happy ending…Jake has taught me that it’s the in between stuff that matters the most. God Bless you Jake.

American Cancer Society

Our fourth gathering was at Kim Langston’s house. Kim Langston and Kim DiMaio Joined forces to raise money for the American Cancer Society. They wanted to donate their funds to a specific organization that helps people with cancer look and feel better with wigs and make-up. They saw first hand through Kim L’s mom and Kim D’s sister just how positive the service can be. Cancer is difficult enough…..but when the physical changes with hair loss takes place, it can be pretty devastating. Our small group raised $400.00 toward this cause. We made the statement that women with cancer are Bold, Beautiful and Fabulous. “Take that Cancer and Stick it in your hat!”

Dani and her story

Our third gathering was at Lyn Romstad’s house. Her cause was near and dear to her own family. Her brother, Matt, has two young daughters, Kylie and Delaney. Delaney who is just 5, is blind. If that isn’t a big enough challenge on its own, Lyn’s sister-in-law, Dani, got diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. As you can imagine, her role as a mother is so critical to her family. Dani and Matt fly to Santa-Monica regularly to receive treatment. Lyn’s goal for the night was simple. She wanted to raise enough money for a round trip ticket to Santa Monica. She said, “I know that we can’t change her health situation, but maybe we can lighten the financial hardship on the family.” There were less than 15 women present and we raised $600.00. It was enough for two round trip tickets. That was pretty special. Dani’s courage reminds us to cherish each day and live it to the fullest!
Update: Since our gathering at Lyn’s house Dani has passed away. We continue to keep her family in our thoughts and prayers.

Outward Bound

Our second gathering was at Stephanie George’s house. As the hostess, she chose to support the “Outward Bound Organization.” Specifically, she was interested in sponsoring an inner city child who would not otherwise get to experience an out-door adventure. The adventure is designed to test and develop the courage and leadership skills of its participants. This experience allows kids to exercise real life principles that will influence their self-esteem, decision-making, and perseverance. There were about twenty women present and we raised about $500.00.

The Furbush Family

Our first gathering was held at Krista Gawronski’s house. There were about forty women present. The cause was for the Furbush Family. The sad loss of husband / father, Ron Furbush, seemed to touch the hearts of so many. It taught us that life is sometimes random and short. The group raised close to $1,000.00 for Carol and her two boys. Here's a picture of Carol's youngest, Toby, on a recent visit back in Petaluma.

What can I do? A poem by Krista

What can I do …..Little ol me?
I can’t Cure Cancer or Change Poverty.

But…I can cook a mean meatloaf and shuttle my kids off to school….
I can plant tulips in the Spring and drive a Prius to save fuel.

I can exercise patience and kindness, Oh yes I can,
I’m trying so hard to help my kids understand…

That I can make a difference… just Little ol me,
I can help a sick friend or even plant a tree.

Oh, I try to do the right things; I floss, recycle and exercise my vote,
And in the Winter I donate one fuzzy warm coat.

But there’s a deeper desire in my heart that wants to give…..
And I want to inspire others by the life that I live.

I may be simple…there’s no red carpet by my house...
My badge of honor comes from being a Mom, a Friend,
a Neighbor and….a Spouse.

So who cares if I have an itchy rash, chapped lips or an extra five pounds…I’m doing my best to spread a message around.

I’m surrounding myself with women both young and wise….
And we’re taking on Causes that are just the right size!

And at the end of the day when I put on my robe and sip a cup of tea…I can feel good about my Fabulous Friends and this Awesome Community.