Volunteer

To offer emotional and spiritual support as a care team member for our cardiac families in crisis, or to help the Erika Kate Foundation with its fundraising efforts, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you. 

Check out below what our volunteers have been up to lately.

Celebrating Erika

June marked the five year anniversary of Erika’s Heart Transplant. As many families do, we recognized Erika’s life at this milestone.  We decided to get Erika’s hometown involved and ask local businesses to adopt EKF’s cause during the month of June. 

Fareway Grocery Store ordered EKF “Team Lemonade” shirts for employees to wear throughout the summer during their “Casual for a Cause” day. The employees also organized a bake sale which raised $200!

Salon Incognito offered a “Spa Day” full of pedicures, baskets of products donated by the salon, and decorated flip flops.  Their efforts raised $400!

        

A&E Convenience store sponsored a “spare change” jar at the register and raised $175!

Trinity Hospital kept EKF butterfly necklaces on display at the Window Box and sold three during this celebration month!

Because of the generosity of these businesses, EKF families received support for some of their basic needs.  While their children were hospitalized, EKF was able to provide food gift cards, lodging near the Heart Center at the Ronald McDonald House, and even gas to and from the hospital.

We are extremely grateful to these businesses for supporting EKF in honor of Erika in June. Not only did they provide financial support, but now more Muscatine residents are aware of the needs of the families that we continue to serve.

Volunteer in the Spotlight

When asked why Dion Bos volunteers for the Erika Kate Foundation, she stated, “I have always wanted to do volunteer work for a charity.   Rich’s sister, RaeAnn, is a lifelong friend of mine; she encouraged me to check out EKF.  Then over a year ago, Norah, my youngest, had to be taken to the emergency room, where her little body laid in this gigantic hospital bed.  Right then and there, I was touched and recognized how blessed I am to have two healthy little girls.  I felt compelled to pursue my desire to help and to show my gratitude for what God has given me.   I honestly don’t know how these parents endure their journeys with their sick kids.  It has inspired me to reach out to others in my area to gain support for these families in need.”

Dion Bos, from Naperville, Illinois, is wife to Bryan and mother to two, beautiful, little girls, Hayden (5)and Norah (2).  She has given much of her time and talent to advancing the work of the Foundation during the past several months.  Dion is our “Volunteer in the Spotlight”. Dion began supporting the Erika Kate Foundation by running in the Quad Cities Marathon the past two years.  As Dion learned more about the Foundation, she felt led to engage on a deeper level.  She volunteered to interview social worker, Jennifer Parrish, from Dallas, Texas.  Dion’s interview was featured in the annual EKF newsletter.   This project led Dion to other opportunities within the Foundation.

Focusing on Dion’s strengths and education in marketing, Dion brings much value and energy to the fundraising side of EKF.  In her short time of volunteering, Dion has managed to hold two events, “Manicures for Miracles” and a “Premier Jewelry Event”.    The spa event was a one day event in which two nail technicians donated all proceeds earned from manicures to EKF.  It was a huge success!

At the end of April, Dion hosted a jewelry show in her home.  Premier Jewelry is just one of several types of home based Christian businesses that lends itself to supporting charities.  Premier Jewelry Representative, JoEllen Zoeller, was so generous to donate 50 percent of her sales from that show to EKF.  These two events raised over $800 for families in an overwhelming medical situation with their child.

In addition to these two events, Dion is working with friends in the Naperville area to hold a large scale outdoor summer event.  As the plans unfold, Dion is planning to have food, music and fun for all attending.

As Dion’s daughters see her enthusiasm for helping families who have a child with heart problems, Hayden  told her mom, “I want to help kids with broken hearts, too!”  So, Dion is leading the charge for “Team Lemonade”.  This opportunity is for any age, any location in the country.  She and her girls are challenging children all over the nation to hold lemonade stands this summer to raise money for the Erika Kate Foundation.  Dion, with the help of her daughters, has created an advertising flier for all to use to market their lemonade project.  We also have “EKF Team Lemonade” t-shirts available for purchase on out website.

And that’s not all, Dion has also taken a lead role in organizing the Quad Cities Marathon event in September.  Her energy, enthusiasm and ability to make things happen is igniting a fire under many involved with the Foundation and beyond.  She is pulling together a kids team for the event called “Kids Rock”.   Dion would like to extend an invitation to you to field your own team for the race.

Dion’s spirit of giving is contagious and such a reflection of what God has called each of us to do in this life.  May you be challenged and inspired by the opportunity you have to give to others in need. 

EKF Nail Night

Naperville, IL is not even close to Muscatine Iowa, home of the Erika Kate Foundation, but for two longtime nail technicians, that didn’t seem to matter.  Audra Henningson and Rebecca McGill agreed to donate six hours of their time and services by giving manicures and pedicures to those interested in donating to EKF.  Friends of Dion Bos, they recognized the importance of her favorite foundation and the peace it has already provided for so many families.  After 15 of Dion’s friends came in for Spa Manicures and Pedicures, they were able to raise over $600 for the Erika Kate Foundation.  All the ladies left with great looking nails and a warm feeling in their hearts, knowing they helped support the families of EKF. Big thanks to Audra and Rebecca for all their time and talent!