Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "kiss army"

Why Margie Mott will Walk 'N Rock for Kids

2011-05-12T21:13:00Z

Hope Productions Foundation’s, third annual fundraising walk and benefit concert to support local children’s charities, Walk 'N Rock for Kids, will take place Sunday, May 29th at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Hundreds of local companies and civic groups have formed walk teams to raise funds for 22 nonprofits which serve Sacramento area children and youth. The morning’s walk will start and end at Raley Field, taking participants to the Capitol and through the Downtown Plaza. Later that evening, Hope Productions Foundation will host a VIP reception for event sponsors and a benefit concert featuring American rock icons KISS, which is open to the public. From volunteers to sponsors, walkers to concertgoers, Sacramento has shown great support of this event. Here is a spotlight on Margie Mott. Read on to learn why she will Walk 'N Rock for Kids.

A little about Margie: I am the Executive Assistant to the Central Division Executive as well as the Corporate Financial Officer of Sutter Medical Foundation. I live in Antelope and work in downtown Sacramento.

What is your role in this year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids? I will be co-captain of the Sutter Health Cares for Youth walk team which will support Wind Youth Services.

Did you participate in last year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids? While I did not get to go in person last year, I was a virtual walker and co-captain of the Sutter Health Team. Many of my co-workers were able to go and I heard that it was all, and more, than I would have expected. I cannot WAIT for this year’s Walk ‘N Rock!

What was your favorite part of last year’s event? While the concert portion is something to look forward to and culminates a good time and rewards ALL who participate, I also love the fact that much needed funds are being raised to support some very well-deserving organizations directly in our own backyard.

Have you ever received support from one of the benefiting organizations? My son is a leukemia and bone marrow transplant survivor. In the past two years he has finally been healthy enough to attend Camp Okizu, once during a “family camp,” and once during “oncology camp.” I can’t tell you what that organization has meant to us and how much he enjoyed going. It’s a “safe place” to send oncology kids where staff, co-campers, and all the other families are familiar with the world that a pediatric patient now lives in. The location is beautiful and peaceful and the activities are amazing! Dominic is excited about going to camp again this year! And while I am familiar with and support ALL the wonderful organizations served by Hope Productions Foundation, my heart is also touched by Wind Youth Services and the support they provide to homeless youth in our community. Their services are not provided by any other entity to the kids that they help.

Why are you involved in Walk ‘N Rock for Kids? Foremost because of the kids, including my own, who have needs that are addressed in such a powerful way by the various local children’s nonprofits that serve them. In addition, Sutter Medical Foundation where I work is community-minded and encourages and supports employee participation in these activities. And finally I am involved because I love the Hope Productions Foundation team!

Hope Productions Foundation provides training, resources and funding for seven local children’s charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School of Sacramento, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation and Wind Youth Services. An additional 15 children’s charities will also benefit from abbreviated training and fundraising support through the Walk ‘N Rock for Kids event. With continued support from the community, the Foundation has distributed over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training to local children and youth nonprofits since its inception in the fall of 2008. More than 51,000 local children have been impacted by the efforts of Hope Productions Foundation.

KISS: The rock band, the music, the make up

2011-04-08T17:54:55Z

Attention all KISS Army. Yes, that means you. Dust off those platform shoes, dig in the closet for your skin-tight pleather and cover your face in your kid’s Halloween make up because your favorite rock band is coming to town – KISS.

One of America’s most influential rock and roll bands is coming to Sacramento during Memorial Day Weekend. The legendary rock stars that have performed at the Super Bowl, Olympics and “American Idol” – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer - will be at Raley Field on Sunday, May 29 as the headliner for Hope Production Foundation’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids 2011. All proceeds benefit Sacramento region charities.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and range from $40 - $125 each. “The Hottest Show on Earth” will be up close and personal during the performance at the intimate venue, Raley Field; all for the benefit of their fans or the KISS Army. Expect to see the smoking guitars, shooting rockets and other pyrotechnics the band is known for during its 37-year-career.

Lace Up Your Shoes and Get Ready to Rock: Five Ways to Prepare for KISS

Worldwide sales for the rock band’s albums now exceed 100 million albums and don’t include its wide range of other products or reality shows such as “Gene Simmons Family Jewels.” Due to a schedule of high-profile international tours and stadium performances, Sacramento KISS fans have only rarely had a chance to see their favorite rock stars on home turf with the most recent performance at ARCO Arena in 2009.

“KISS raised the bar for what a rock concert should really be,” said KISS bassist and singer Gene Simmons.

The morning of the concert will feature the “walk” portion of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids 2011 as more than 6,000 walkers will lace up their sneakers (before lacing up their platform boots) to raise money for Sacramento charities including but not limited to: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cristo Rey High School, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation, Wind Youth Services.

Team Warrior Princess Sends 23 Kids with Cancer to Camp Thanks to Walk N Rock

This is the third year for Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Previous performances include Journey, Sammy Hagar and Heart. Hope Productions Foundation is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth. Their services include training and guidance for nonprofits to improve their marketing, fundraising, partnerships and board cultivation so they may become more efficient and increase their potential for long-term sustainability. Through events such as Walk N' Rock for Kids, Walt Gray Ride, Hope in Harmony and generous business sponsorships, they have raised and provided over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training for local children's charities.

To learn more, visit www.walknrock.org.

Walk N Rock 2011: Lace up your shoes and get ready to rock

2011-04-08T17:16:55Z

Walk ‘N Rock for Kids will be returning to West Sacramento’s Raley Field on Sunday, May 29 for its third year featuring a fundraising walk in the morning and concert in the evening headlining the rock band KISS. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster.com.

Hope Productions Foundation, a nonprofit that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth, created this annual charity event. Through Walk ‘N Rock for Kids and similar fundraising events, Hope Productions Foundation has raised over $1.5 million and supported 22 local charities making a difference in the lives of 51,00 local youth.

There are five easy ways to support or participate in Walk ‘N Rock for Kids 2011:

Sign up for Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Over 400 teams and 6,000 people participated in last year’s “walk” of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Create a team or join an existing team. The walk starts at Raley Field and continues over Tower Bridge to the Capital and back. The route features local bands, activities and concludes with entertainment, food and fun! Sign up at www.walknrock.org.

Buy tickets to KISS. The iconic rock band KISS will be performing at Raley Field the evening of May 29 with all proceeds benefitting local charities. Tickets may be purchased online through Ticketmaster.com or at the Raley Field Box Office. The concert is expected to sell out fast due to the strong contingency of KISS Army fans, so buy your tickets now.

Volunteer for Hope Productions. It takes hundreds of volunteers to help organize and implement this large-scale event. Volunteers are needed the day of the event as well as in the weeks leading up. To learn more, visit www.hopeproductions.org.

Become a corporate partner. Local businesses have played a critical role in the success of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Their support through the donation of resources and manpower make the difference in the lives of thousands of local youth. Current partners include: Kaiser Permanente, Vistage, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Big Hairy Dog, Waste Connections, Western Health Advantage and over two dozen more. For a complete listing of corporate partners or to join the list, visit www.hopeproductions.org.

Join the KISS Army. Affectionately referred to as the KISS Army, KISS fans are known for their loyal devotion, painted faces and tongue dropping poses. Upload your best KISS photo on the Hope Productions Facebook page or tweet the images using the hashtags #kissarmy and #walknrock. Learn more about the KISS Kulture at www.kissonline.com.

To learn more, visit www.walknrock.org.

Local Nonprofits prepare for Graduation

2011-04-07T19:02:35Z

Hope Productions Foundation is a Sacramento-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides support and training at no cost to local charities serving children and youth. Services include leadership training and guidance for nonprofits to improve their marketing, fundraising, partnerships and board cultivation so that the nonprofits become more efficient and increase their potential for long-term sustainability.

With continued support from the community through their Walk ‘N Rock for Kids event, the Foundation has distributed over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training to local children and youth nonprofits since its inception in the fall of 2008. Walk ‘N Rock for Kids is an annual fundraising walk and benefit concert that Hope Productions Foundation hosts at Raley Field over Memorial Day weekend.

The Foundation is currently working with seven Nonprofit Partners that encompass the following areas of service: Advocacy, At-Risk Youth, Education, Illness/Research, Wellness and Youth Development.

The inaugural group includes: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, Wind Youth Services and The River Cats Foundation. These partner organizations are in their final year of Hope Productions Foundation’s three year training program, coupled with leadership development and fundraising support. This summer, the group will celebrate their graduation from Hope Productions Foundation’s program.

Upon submitting their strategic business plan and completing an evaluation, each organization will be considered a Hope Productions Foundation certified nonprofit, complete with a seal of certification to be displayed on the organization’s website. Local corporations and grantors are being alerted of the significant commitment to fundraising and nonprofit management best practices that each organization has made by completing the program.

Hope Productions Foundation and commencement host Wells Fargo would like to thank and congratulate each of the graduating organizations on their accomplishment. Organizations will be honored at Walk ‘N Rock for Kids on May 29 and at the graduation ceremony on June 29.

The next class of Nonprofit Partner organizations will be selected from the current 15 Nonprofit Affiliate organizations. Applications for the next group of Nonprofit Affiliates will be available and accepted this June. For more information, visit the Hope Productions website.

To support any one of the 22 children’s charities benefiting from Walk ‘N Rock for Kids, you can join or start a walk team on their behalf at www.walknrock.org.

Full Circle Treatment Center Raises the Bar on its Fundraising Efforts

2011-04-07T14:10:46Z

After Full Circle Treatment Center became a Nonprofit Affiliate of Hope Productions Foundation in the fall of 2009, executive director Erin Johansen learned some encouraging tips to increase community support for her organization.

First, Johansen raised the bar on her team’s fundraising goals for this year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids event. Last year the team raised $11,000, providing partial funding for more than 30 family scholarships at the Placer County adolescent drug and alcohol treatment center. As impressive as those numbers are, this year Johansen set her sights on raising $25,000, enough to assist 60 percent of the clients at Full Circle.

“Our board members and team captain are fully engaged, and we have a high level of confidence we’ll reach our goal,” said Johansen.

Johansen also changed the way potential donors are approached, professionally honing materials and presentation to better target regional companies. Results were positive.

“In the past year I’ve been able to meet with several prospective major donors using a senior level approach, thanks to the training, connections and credibility we’ve gained through the Hope Productions affiliation.”

One meeting paid off when a local company became a Full Circle sponsor. Another resulted in an event sponsorship, and the third prospect invited Johansen to submit a proposal for funding.

“We’re very grateful for the response we’ve received, and hopeful for the future.”

Johansen explained, “We are a start-up nonprofit organization. We do good work, but we’ve been open for less than three years, and we’re brand new to the fundraising world.

“The mission and training program of Hope Productions Foundation is exactly what nonprofits need for success and sustainability.”

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Full Circle Treatment Center is the vision of a concerned community and five working professionals in the field of family and youth services. The nonprofit facility provides intensive outpatient adolescent drug and alcohol treatment to youths and their families in Placer County and surrounding communities.

Hope Productions Foundation (link to www.hopeproductions.org) provides training, resources and funding for seven local children’s charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School of Sacramento, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation and Wind Youth Services. An additional 15 children’s charities will also benefit from abbreviated training and fundraising support through the Walk ‘N Rock for Kids (link to www.walknrock.org) event. With continued support from the community, the Foundation has distributed over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training to local children and youth nonprofits since its inception in the fall of 2008. More than 51,000 local children have been impacted by the efforts of Hope Productions Foundation.

Team Warrior Princess sends 23 kids with cancer to camp

2011-04-07T08:10:09Z

At the ripe age of six and a half, Juliette Geney can make a powerful claim like no other little girl her age. Last year, her Team Warrior Princess raised more than $23,000 during Walk ‘N Rock for Kids, sending 23 children with cancer to Camp Okizu in the Sierra foothills.

Okizu provides peer support, respite, mentoring and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.

Juliette’s goal was to send 21 kids to Camp Okizu. Thanks to supporters of her Walk ‘N Rock for Kids team and a surprise call from an anonymous donor, Team Warrior Princess was able to surpass that goal.

Warrior Princess — the name Juliette assumed during her own cancer treatment — had another goal for last year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids: to walk the entire 5K route through downtown Sacramento. She did, crossing the finish line with family and friends, shouting, “I did it!”

Both milestones were significant, given Juliette’s story.

At four and a half, Juliette was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Her mother, Kirsten Geney, recalls having to carry Juliette into the hospital on the day of her diagnosis, making Juliette’s gleeful stride across the finish line especially poignant.

“I am thankful for so much,” said mom, Kirsten, “including the generous donations given to Okizu and for the healing that will come to so many families affected by childhood cancer.”

She added, "I’m so thankful for Juliette and the opportunity she’s been given to learn that she can make a difference in this world.”

For the past two years, little Juliette has taken an active role in drumming up interest in Walk ‘N Rock for Kids by distributing event materials, unafraid to approach local businesses and ask them to display posters “to help kids like me.” Juliette also appeared in a public service announcement promoting Walk ‘N Rock for Kids.

“It’s a way for her to do something positive, and a way for us to deal with this together,” says Kirsten.

Juliette just completed more than two years of chemotherapy treatments and has been given a clean bill of health. Kirsten explained, “Juliette’s prognosis is better than it would have been 20 years ago, thanks to medical advances.”

Again this year, Juliette plans to join mom Kirsten, dad Christian and little brother Maxim to cheer on the estimated 10,000 walkers who champion local children’s charities at Walk ‘N Rock for Kids.

Learn more about Juliette’s story. You can join or contribute to Juliette’s efforts to raise funds for Okizu at www.walknrock.org/teamjuliette .