We have a special opportunity next month for any of our Participants who suffer from asthma: taking a free tennis lesson during the Jody Brooks Asthma Research Fundraiser. Starting at 7am on Friday, March 12, 2010, tennis coach Jake Lester will attempt to break the World Record for “Longest Tennis Coaching Marathon” at the Cary Tennis Park in Cary, NC. http://jodybrookstennisfundraiser.weebly.com/

If you are interested in a lesson, please e-mail Lisa at lisab@bouncebackkids.org.

BounceBack Kids is a nonprofit based in the Triangle, North Carolina that serves children who are critically ill and their families. The mission of BounceBack Kids is to enrich the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families through free year-round recreational, athletic and social activities offered in a caring and supportive environment that is medically-safe. For more information, please go to www.bouncebackkids.org.

BounceBack Kids seeks an Assistant Director (AD). The AD will have responsibility in the areas of communications, volunteers, administration, outreach and development. This position works closely with the Executive Director (ED) and the Board of Directors and will have a high level of independence, responsibility, and decision-making authority. It is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to use his/her initiative and creativity to grow and strengthen a non-profit that has an important mission!

BounceBack Kids is a young and growing organization with a supportive and flexible work environment. We are continually developing the organization and are committed to helping our staff shape their work to meet their own personal and professional goals.

Reports to: Executive Director

Responsibilities of this position include:

Communications: The AD will work to ensure that our communications activities support our outreach, development, and organizational goals.

• Create and send e-mail newsletter (currently 600 subscribers).
• Manage and update website. (Knowledge of WordPress is a plus but not required.)
• Manage e-mail program (through Gmail).
• Establish and continue relationships with local media outlets.
• Maintain and expand BounceBack Kids’ Web 2.0 presence (currently on Facebook and Twitter and have YouTube channel).
• Create and maintain printed materials (brochure, flier etc.)
• Renew domain names as needed.

Volunteers: The AD will work closely with the ED on BounceBack Kids Volunteer Program.

• Maintain database of volunteers.
• Keep Volunteer Training Manual updated
• Run Volunteer Orientation Sessions
• Establish Volunteer Positions

Administration: The AD will have primary responsibility for some administrative tasks and will work with other staff on other administrative needs.

• Manage online database of participants
• Send out welcome e-mail and welcome packets to new participants
• Monthly report to Board
• Assist with new Family Support Program (Parents Night Out, Family Dinners, Parent Education Seminars) as needed
• Attend staff meetings

Outreach:  The role of the AD in outreach is to implement and expand the outreach program.

• Maintain contact with our current referral partners (pediatricians, hospitals and schools)
• Build relationships with new  potential referral partners (additional healthcare professionals, educators, and clergy)
• Organize BounceBack Kids’ participation in local health fairs, school fairs, and similar events
• Create BounceBack Kids on the Go
• Manage online database of outreach contacts
• Manage the outreach plan and assign tasks to ED, Activities Coordinator, Board members and volunteers
• Plan annual Open House
• Organize outreach for Camp Kaleidoscope in July

Development: All staff members are involved in development activities. The AD will work with the ED and the AC on grant-writing and fundraising events.

Requirements

We are looking for someone who is innovative and entrepreneurial; who loves organizational development; and who can manage many moving parts while keeping an eye on long-term goals. A background in nonprofits is desirable but not required. The AD must be able to work well independently and as a team member. Qualified applicants must have excellent writing skills. Knowledge of the following is a plus: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, WordPress. Knowledge of childhood illnesses and support services available in the area is a plus but is not a requirement. The AD will be expected to become fully versed in the work of the organization.

This is a salaried position. There are no benefits with this position.

We will review resumes beginning January 12, 2010. The position will be open until filled.

Submit resume and cover letter BY E-MAIL ONLY to:

Lisa Brachman

lisab@bouncebackkids.org

No phone calls please

Effective immediately, BounceBack Kids has a new mailing address:

1289 Fordham Boulevard, #317
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Our phone and fax is still the same (919) 246-9100.

Thanks to Carolina Hurricane’s center Eric Staal, for the past two years BounceBack Kids participants have enjoyed watched the Hurricanes play in Eric’s all-inclusive suite, in total VIP style. Here are pictures from last week when some of the participants and their families went to see the Hurricanes play.

Hello! We’re Sarah Sheppard and Jessica Metcalf, two volunteers from the UNC Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Since the beginning of this semester, we’ve been doing writing projects for BounceBack Kids, but we had never had the opportunity to meet the kids.

Volunteering at last week’s Halloween party let us experience why we’ve been doing all these assignments for BounceBack Kids: because there are some really awesome people that we’re helping support. The party was so much fun, and the kids were even more fun. From the balloons and games to the pizza and face-painting, we had a blast.

The decorations were amazing, and it seemed like every volunteer enjoyed decorating as much as the kids enjoyed seeing them. There were many laughs (these guys know some great jokes and puns) and many mischievous antics, a perfect reflection of the Halloween mood.

It was great to meet the kids we’re working for, and we can’t wait to go to another BounceBack Kids event in the near future, just to hang out and have fun.

-Sarah and Jessica

BounceBack Kids will hold its annual open house on November 21, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Emily K. Center, 904 W. Chapel Hill St. in Durham, N.C. The BounceBack Kids Open House is a chance for the community to learn more about the organization, which strives to enrich the lives of children with serious medical conditions as well as the lives of their families.

“Visitors to our Open House can learn more about our program offerings, such as our group and individual sports sessions,” said Lisa Brachman, Executive Director of BounceBack Kids. “We also provide recreational and social events, a College Planning Guide, and support services.”

All BounceBack Kids offerings are free for participants, their siblings and parents.

The following activities will also be available to Open House attendees:

• Meet the BounceBack Kids Board members and staff
• Interact with current participants in the BounceBack Kids program, who will answer questions and share their experiences
• Free refreshments
• Activities for the kids
• Spanish translators

To RSVP for the open house, visit http://bouncebackkids.org/ or e-mail info@bouncebackkids.org.

Join us for 45 minutes of group fitness activities which include a “settling in” period, a fitness or exercise routine and a cool-down and stretching period. For details visit http://bouncebackkids.org/calendar. Please RSVP to Leslie at lesliem@bouncebackkids.org if you’d like to participate.

On a beautiful Carolina fall day, Helena Nyman, Sean Mitton, and Kaylene Lewek of the Hope Bus visited Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to highlight the work of BounceBack Kids and the Duke-Carolina Student Basketball Marathon. BounceBack Kids and Basketball Marathon were delighted to meet Helena and Sean and welcome back Kaylene, who played in the inaugural Basketball Marathon in 2006, served as a Co-Director of the Marathon in 2007, and volunteered with BounceBack Kids when she was an undergraduate at Duke. Everyone with BounceBack Kids and Basketball Marathon who met with Helena, Sean, and Kaylene was moved by their vision to inspire others to serve the community and make a difference.

The Hope Bus visit to this basketball mecca had a “Hoops” theme. At Duke, the Marathon students set up a basketball goal on the Main Quad and students shot hoops and learned about the Marathon and BounceBack Kids. At UNC, the students set up a table at the Pit for students to learn about the Marathon and BounceBack Kids.

Both organizations are honored to have been part of the Hope Bus Tour, and we hope the Tour encourages all to contribute to their communities.

More information at http://thehopebus.blogspot.com/2009/10/101309-bounce-back-kids-raleigh-nc.html.

BounceBack Kids is reaching out to the parents and guardians of all BounceBack Kids participants about the HINI virus,

which has also been referred to as the “swine flu.” Recent reports indicate that children with chronic medical conditions are more likely to be severely affected by the HINI virus. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (”CDC”) reports that North Carolina is one of 11 states with “widespread” flu activity (in terms of geographic spread of both seasonal influenza and HINI). Please read our notice:   BounceBack Kids H1N1.

BounceBack Kids thanks everyone who took time out of their day to vote for us in the CommuniCause campaign, a nationwide online contest to award a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization $25,000 to be used for consulting services for social media and fundraising outreach efforts. Mindcomet, an Orlando-based interactive agency, launched the competition in 2009. “We are happy to report that we finished 58th out of more than 1,500 entries in the campaign,” said Patrick Togni, president of the BounceBack Kids Board of Directors. “We are also excited to learn that the competition will be held again next year,” Togni said, “and we look forward to trying to break the Top 10 entries and earning a chance at the $25,000 award. Thanks again to all of our supporters and staff who worked so hard to achieve this great result!”

Interested in volunteering with BounceBack Kids? Come to our next orientation, this Saturday at the Parkwood Branch of the Durham Library at 3:30. To RSVP, please email meganr@bouncebackkids.org.

Description:  The Activity Coordinator plans, schedules, and generally attends BounceBack Kids activities and events. The Activity Coordinator typically plans 3-4 activities/month September-May and 2-3 activities/month June-August. The Activity Coordinator position is budgeted for up to 15 hours of work per week. BounceBack Kids has no office, so the Activity Coordinator will telecommute, meeting on a regular basis with the Executive Director and Outreach Coordinator.

Activities Coordinator’s Responsibilities:

Plans, schedules, implements, and evaluates a program of group activities based on the interests, abilities, and ages of BounceBack Kids participants.
Establish and maintain in a timely manner a master calendar of all BounceBack Kids events and activities.
Establish event planning checklist and procedures for BounceBack Kids activities and maintain the accompanying planning checklists for future reference.
Maintain database of Participants’ participation in BounceBack Kids activities and events.
Work with Executive Director and Outreach Coordinator on volunteer program. Supervise volunteers who assist in the planning and/or attend BounceBack Kids activities and events.
Meet regularly with Executive Director and Outreach Coordinator to solicit program suggestions, establish goals/objectives, present reports and updates on programs.
Become acquainted with BounceBack Kids participants, their parents and siblings; members of the Board of Directors; staff members, and volunteers.
Develop, in conjunction with the Executive Director, a Parents Advisory Council that will provide a forum for parents to share ideas.
Assist in the coordination of major BounceBack Kids activities including but not limited to; Fundraising Events and the Duke-UNC Student Basketball Marathon.
Provide regular reports to the Board and assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the Board and/or Executive Director.
Serve as a contact person, along with the Executive Director, for parents/guardians while children are Participants in BounceBack Kids activities and events.
Work with the Executive Director and Outreach Coordinator on fundraisers, public relations materials, and other staff duties.

Desired Minimum Qualifications:
Prior experience with event planning or scheduling is strongly preferred.

B.A. or higher.

Ability to inspire enthusiasm and confidence in BounceBack Kids offerings.

Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Valid State Driver’s License and proof of insurance.

Must have a working phone and access to the internet.

Criminal background check.

Please click here to vote for BounceBack Kids, and help us win a $25,000 social media makeover.

Visit Twig in Chapel Hill on Saturday May 16th and shop. 20% of your designated proceeds will go directly to BounceBack Kids. Twig is located at 99 S. Elliott Road in Chapel Hill next to Whole Foods.

Packing the Be Prepared bags

Pediatric Cancer Awareness day is an event that should be acknowledged everyday.  Former Bounce Back Kids participant, seventeen year-old, Andrew, made everyone’s Valentine’s Day a productive and meaningful one by holding a Pediatric Cancer Awareness day at Leesville High School in Raleigh.  The high school gymnasium was full of  tables and colorful posters, as local organizations affiliated with pediatric cancer filled the space to discuss their cause and how they are raising awareness for pediatric cancer, and giving back to those whose lives have been impacted by it.

Striving for his merit badge, Andrew organized the day filled with presenters from different organizations including Durham Bulls’ own, Wool E. Bully, massage therapists, face painters, and blood drives.  Time and space were also utilized to put together “Be Prepared” bags, a Boy Scout motto and another way in which Andrew hopes to give back to the pediatric cancer community.  A survivor of cancer himself, Andrew plans on putting together 300 “Be Prepared” bags, full of different kinds of toys, card games, puzzles, books and  toothbrushes to distribute in the pediatric cancer ward of UNC hospital, the hospital where Andrew himself was treated.  All the items to be put into the “Be Prepared” bags were donated, which Andrew and the rest of his Boy Scout troop had been collecting for three months.  Boxes upon boxes of different children’s items filled the high school cafeteria as project managers from Andrew’s boy scout troop directed fellow troop members and volunteers to separate the items into categories.  The bags will be divided into different categories, such as boy/girl, and then further divided into different age groups.  To receive his merit badge, Andrew has written a preliminary paper, will complete his “Be Prepared” bags, write another paper, and then after all is said and done, go before a board of members to present his project.  We’re rootin’ for ya, Andrew!

Back in the gymnasium, organizations such as “Flashes of Hope”, a once a month photography organization that comes to the pediatric cancer ward at UNC hospital and takes portraits of patients and their families, Victory Junction Gang, Jimmy V Golf Foundation, St. Baldericks, School of Rock, and many more were present.  As a volunteer I found this aspect particularly helpful just because there are many organizations out there to help in the fight for pediatric cancer.  Having the many organizations there was a phenomenal way to raise awareness, especially for those of us who aren’t directly impacted by pediatric cancer.

One central aspect that Andrew hit right on the head during his merit badge project is the idea of positive mental attitude.  An awareness day dedicated to a not-so-happy cause turned out to be a day full of fun and fulfillment for people of all ages.  Director of the “School of Rock,” Lisa White, put it into perspective when she stated, “Awareness is huge.  Especially with the economy the way it is, we may not all be here next year.  But it’s important to show that not everything is a negative (referring to the experience of the patient).”  A lot of the organizations at Andrew’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness day bring a positive light to cancer patients, and have activities that include friends and family of kids impacted by cancer.  They’re organizations that restore a childhood, such as Bounce Back Kids does, and provide kids with opportunities to be around other kids just like them where they can feel …like a kid.

-By Rachel Galanos

Dear Friends:
My name is Patrick Togni, and I recently became President of the BounceBack Kids Board of Directors. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization, and to serve with such a talented and committed group of board members and staff. In connection with our February Newsletter, I have been asked to provide you with a little background on myself and to share some insights into where we see BounceBack Kids going in 2009 and beyond.

After a decade in Washington, DC, my wife Samantha Stockman and I moved to Durham in January 2007. Our decision to relocate here was easy. Like many of you, we wanted to be closer to family and to raise our children in a community with the right balance of opportunity and quality of life. A few months later, I was lucky enough to be introduced to BounceBack Kids by co-founder Dr. Henry Friedman.

By any measure, these are exciting times for BounceBack Kids. First and foremost, we are growing. In 2008, we saw a 175 percent increase in the number of referrals of new participants. This substantial rise is ongoing and shows that our outreach efforts across the region and state are working. In 2009, and as always, we will continue to pursue our mission by enriching the lives of as many children with serious medical conditions and their families as possible. I am particularly excited about the prospect of new participants and their families getting to know and creating lasting relationships with our current members, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning.

We are also thrilled with the feedback we’ve been getting about our new name and logo. We owe special thanks to Spark Creative Services (www.sparkcs.com), who worked with our board to develop the new logo. We are also excited about leveraging technology to continue growing our brand, and the BounceBack Kids pages on Facebook and YouTube are just the beginning of that important effort. Of course, the essence of our brand — and our mission — are the children we serve. They will remain at the center of everything we do in the future.

On behalf of our entire board and staff, I also want to thank the students and volunteers at the Duke-Carolina Student Basketball Marathon. As many of you know, BounceBack Kids has been the beneficiary of this annual fundraiser since its inception. This year’s game was the closest ever. UNC edged Duke 1,645 - 1,642 in a great game that lasted 24 hours. Many of our participants and their siblings capped off the marathon again this year with an excellent performance. We already cannot wait for next year’s kickoff dinner and marathon.

Finally, I would like to extend our deepest condolences on the passing of NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow. In addition to her legendary coaching career, Coach Yow also served on the BounceBack Kids Advisory Council. She will be missed.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Patrick Togni
President, Board of Directors
BounceBack Kids

Pictures from the 2009 Duke-Carolina Student Basketball Marathon

You can now find BounceBack Kids on both Facebook and YouTube. Become a fan of BounceBack Kids by visiting our Facebook page.  Keep up-to-speed on issues and media related to BounceBack Kids, make a donation, set up a donor match (a promise to donate if the cause reaches a specific number of members or dollar amount raised), and gain status by recruiting members and getting donations by joining our cause.

Watch current and past user-generated and professional videos, such as our 2009 Spotlight video, on our YouTube channel.

“Be Prepared Bags”

15 year-old Andrew, a BounceBack Kids participant, is putting together a special Eagle Scout Project, in conjunction with Raleigh’s first ever Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day (February 14, 2009). Andrew is organizing drives throughout the community to collect personal items and small gifts for his “Be Prepared Bags”, designed to help families through their first few days in the hospital. The drives will conclude at the Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day on February 14, 2009, 9:00AM—4:00PM. The Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day will be held at Leesville High School, and will include a blood drive, a bone marrow drive and platelet recruitment. For more information, check out Andrew’s YouTube video and his Facebook page.

UNC Chapel Hill and Duke collaborate for the fourth basketball marathon. The Marathon is a year-long fundraising event jointly organized by students from Duke University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This event was created to give students and student organizations from both universities an opportunity to collaborate on an issue which is equally important to both communities- providing opportunities for children with serious medical conditions to enjoy recreational, athletic, and social opportunities.Throughout the year, students from both institutions compete against each other to raise the most money. To date, all proceeds from the marathon have benefited BounceBack Kids. Each year, the marathon culminates with a Duke vs. Carolina co-ed basketball game. The inaugural year the Marathon broke the Guinness World Record, which now stands at 57 hours and 25 minutes! Duke’s team won that game 3699-3444. The Marathon was able to raise over $60,000 for BounceBack Kids.

This year, the Marathon will run from Saturday January 17th to Sunday January 18th. During the basketball marathon weekend, students and faculty, as well as the UNC and Duke communities come together to cheer on their respective team and help raise money for the children of BounceBack Kids. This year’s Marathon will be hosted by Duke University in Wilson Gym. The Marathon officially starts at 4:00 pm on Saturday, but activities begin at 1:30 pm.

For more information or to participate, please go to the Marathon’s website.

Join us next Friday the 16th at Chapel Of the Cross on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill for our kick-off dinner to this year’s basketball marathon. We’ll have great food, entertainment and a silent auction. 6:30 pm. Please email Lisa at Lisab@bouncebackkids.org to RSVP.