March Brent’s Buddies Buzz M A R C H , 2 0 1 5 WHAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY  Outings to the Denver Firefighters Museum and the Forney Museum of Transportation  Angelo turned 6, Hayley turned 12, and Elijah turned 2  Our teens enjoyed our “Teens Only” Karaoke Night, thanks to an anonymous Please join us for the 5th annual volunteer Appreciation Dinner Because of you, our families lives have been brightened. It’s our turn to celebrate YOU! Tuesday, April 21st at 6pm Location: Blue Bonnet Cafe, 457 S. Broadway St, Denver Co 80209 karaoke machine donor!  Zane Beadles Please RSVP to Rachel Bernstein at [email protected] (former Denver Broncos player) visited Brent’s Place for breakfast along with Snooze AM Eatery and D Bar Restaurant 2 1. 1 2. 3. 3 Samantha and RJ check out the old firetruck at the Firefighters Museum. Elijah LOVES playing with golf balls! Logan and Zane Beadles hanging out. PAGE 2 “Brent's Place is an Volunteer of the Month: Brittany Schoede amazing facility that not only looks out for the children's welfare, it provides families a home. While everything else in our lives seemed out of control we found comfort in knowing that we had a home where our family could find a sense of normalcy. What makes Brent's Place such an amazing place are the people who work and volunteer here. “ “Brent's Place is like an island in a storm. Our home here is the one Brittany Schoede is starting her second year as a volunteer and has already been a tremendous addition to the volunteer team. She has dedicated numerous hours to the Brent’s Place Executive Leadership Committee and has put her amazing energy toward planning wonderful programs for our families. constant that we can count on during this journey. The kindness and support has been amazing.” MARCH Please read Brittany’s answers to the following 3 questions. 1. Why do you volunteer, and specifically at Brent's Place? "Once you choose hope, anything's possible." Hope in the face of great adversity; BRENT’S BUDDIE S hope above all else. It's been 8 years since I lost my mom to cancer. She fought courageously, and she never lost hope. She lived with the belief that we are put on this earth to help others, and she instilled this belief in me. I volunteer to honor her and help spread the hope she spread every day of her life. And I volunteer at Brent's Place because the families, the staff and the other volunteers carry and spread the same light of hope. From the second I walked through the door, I could feel the warmth and the love that embodies this incredible organization. It is truly one big wonderful family that has built a support system second to none. 2. What is your favorite memory at Brent's Place? During last year's Father's Day BBQ, the Programs Committee planned for the kids to play with water balloons. Before the party started, Addie walked over in an adorable pink dress, sat down right BUZZ next to me, put her little hand on my leg and watched sweetly and patiently as we filled up over 200 water balloons. When the time came to play with the balloons, smiles were on everyone's faces and laughter was abundant. Addie and Chloe were having a ball throwing the balloons on the ground and watching them burst! It was a very special day, with very special people. 3. How have you incorporated volunteering into your life? Growing up, my mom would take us to help serve food at local soup kitchens, so volunteering has always been a part of my life. But it wasn't until I started volunteering at Brent's Place that I knew I had met my match. Thank you Brittany for being a constant source of support for our families and for bringing such positive enthusiasm to Brent’s Place! PAGE 3 Upcoming volunteer needs Tutoring, flexible schedule (weekdays only). Be paired with a child currently living at Brent’s Place and help them with their homework. Our kiddos (including siblings) cannot attend school and risk the spread of infection. Help keep them from falling behind their peers by signing up to be a regular volunteer tutor. To follow along with Email Becky to be paired with a child and set up a schedule. Movie Night Shifts, Tuesdays from 3:45pm to 6pm Make popcorn and watch a movie with the Brent’s Place kids (Brent’s Place provides the movie). April 14 Arts and Crafts Host, Wednesdays from 4:00pm to 5:15pm Come lead an art project with the kids at Brent’s Place. March 25 April 8 all our kids and see what they are doing everyday please follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/ BrentsPlacedenver Personal Chef Dinner (Marion St—located at 1721 Marion St, Denver) Meals are cooked in your kitchen and served in to-go containers provided by Brent’s Place. Volunteers meet a Brent’s Place staff member at this location on Thursdays only to deliver the meals at 5:45pm. A time commitment of a regular schedule is preferred (ie. first Thursday of the month). Front Desk, Various Shifts (8am to 12pm, 12pm to 4pm, 4pm to 8pm) Be a friendly face for our families at the Brent’s Place front desk. Available days and shifts vary, so contact Becky for more information. This volunteer task requires a time commitment. Contact Rachel Bernstein for a volunteer application and to attend a volunteer orientation: [email protected] or 720-343-2807. If you’ve already attended a volunteer orientation, contact Becky Selig to schedule a volunteer shift. bselig@brentsplace,org or 720-343-2819. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND SERVICES FOR OUR FAMILIES IN FEBRUARY! Brent’s Place 11980 East Sixteenth Ave Aurora Colorado 80010 www.brentsplace.org Phone: 720.343.2800 Fax: 303-831-4567 E-mail: [email protected] Joy is not in things; it is in you. -Wagner- Meet Rebecca and her Family Rebecca sprouting her Colorado hat Rebecca is an amazing young lady who moved into Brent’s Place with her dad, Steve, in November of 2014. Shortly after starting her sophomore year of college, at 19 years old, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. She had to put college on hold to come home to Colorado for treatment. This type of cancer requires a longterm treatment plan; Rebecca began in November and hopes to complete treatment in June or July. Since she is from Glenwood Springs, she needed a place to stay that is closer to the hospital and it is a pleasure to have her at Brent’s Place. Rebecca loves to read and write, and plans to get her degree in English. One of the things she misses about college is her role as the news editor for her college paper. In addition to reading, Rebecca loves listening to music, watching musicals, and doing anything outdoors. Athletics have also been an important part of Re- becca’s life, and she was a competitive swimmer for many years. Rebecca’s strength, determination, and compassion are an inspiration to us all. We are always happy to see Rebecca and Steve’s friendly smiles around Brent’s Place, and look forward to supporting them however we can throughout their journey. Rebecca with her Dad, Steve