St. Jude's Ranch for Children

Don't Forget to Save Those Campbell's Labels!

Hello everyone!  Hope you are having a wonderful holiday.  We've had lots of exciting activities at our campuses this holiday season.  From the Jingle Bell Run in Texas to the Night of Lights in Nevada as well as other happenings, things are definitely hopping at The Ranch and all for the benefit of our amazing children.

Remember to save those soup labels as well as labels from other products.  Did you know just 1,500,000 labels is enough to get a safe, new van for the kids?  The Campbell's Soup Label Program offers a fun and easy way to make the lives of our children better and includes hundreds of products, many of which are not soup at all and most likely products you already have in your pantry. For more information on the program including a complete list of participating products, click here.  All you need to do is save the labels and send them to us.  Just another way to help some well deserving kids.  Happy Holidays!

Former Resident Thanks St. Jude's Ranch

We recently heard from a former resident who commented on the wonderful care and encouragement she received from St. Jude's Ranch for Children and we want you to hear it in her words. She even included a picture! For everyone who is so committed to our kids, it's correspondence like this that really touches your heart. Thank you Valinda so much for sharing this with us! We are so proud of you! You and all the amazing children at St. Jude’s Ranch are the reason we have the passion to do what we do every day. We believe in every child who comes to us. We love hearing from our former residents and look forward to hearing more updates from Valinda!

Hello My name is Valinda Briggs and I use to be a lost teen between 14 to 19 yrs old that St   Judes Recused me and I want to give a Big THANK YOU. I'm 26 year old now and I have come to realize that all the EBT and the grounding that I was given made me a better person and St Judes did it out of care and love. Growing up, I never knew what that was, what real love and real understanding was and between 5 years old to 14 yrs old I lived in 15 different places. I always felt nobody wanted me and I had to take control of it at a young age, but it all changed when I moved in to St Jude's Ranch for Children. Someone else was able to take the reigns and I was able to be a regular teen with no pressure. For the first time, I understood what love was and what understanding was. I dont know if I would be where I am if it wasn't for St Jude's Ranch, I'm now a pediatric nurse, I'm married and have my first baby on the way, I probably wouldn't have graduated high school, I would still be living on the Houston streets, where drugs were sold on ever corner even at the Jr high school. Lucky I had the abililty to say no but for how long. The staff that worked with me were all my hero's some stood out more then others but because of them I owe them everything. I don't know if Billy,Linda, Mrs Bulter are still working there? I think that all the staff that put their time in to these children are really making a difference and I'm living proof. We may put up a fight but in the future these kids will look back and be thankful for everything even the consequences that were given on that white board. So all the Staff that work there should stand high and be proud that their making a change.Oh and I can't forget the volunteers too. Once again Thank you so much. I hope the Independent living is running well because that was a big help as well. Sorry I wrote a book but I can't even explain the difference that St Jude's Ranch made in me and my life. If I wasn't living in Upstate NY, I would volunteer too, maybe even put in a resume. I'll send a picture to the old staff that were there when I was maybe they would remember me.

Valinda Briggs-Ingram

Following receipt of that amazing personal story, we asked Valinda if we could post her comments here and share with everyone.  We love what we do here at St. Jude's Ranch but it's letters like these - straight from our amazing children - that tell the real story.  Below is Valinda's response to our request for her permission.

I would love you to use my letter to help inspire others and also bring encouragement to the staff and the young teens that enter the home that everything the staff and the home do is for a purpose. The home brought encouragement to me and I want to prove that it will for others. I will be honor if you put my e mail on your blog. I enjoyed looking at your website and seeing the changes you have made and how much the Ranch has grown. I am over joyed that you are making changes in other teens lives and hope for years to come that you continue to mold the future of generations to come . Thanks again.

Valinda Briggs -Ingram

More than 900 Runners Take to the Streets in Jingle Bell Run!

Saturday's 16th Annual Jingle Bell Run was a huge success! Whether you ran the event or attended and experienced it, please let us know your thoughts by commenting here on our blog. We'd love to hear from you!

The posting below comes to us from Bernie Frey, a St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Emergency Shelter Board Member.  Thanks to everyone who made the event what it was - we couldn't have done it without you! 

Saturday morning, December 13th we held the 16th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk Fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch Emergency Shelter. While the boys and girls at the Shelter were snuggled in their beds, 970 runners and walkers contributed to helping them have a better life.

The run was held in Landa Park in New Braunfels, the site of many local races on a mostly flat course that was well marked by Race Director Scott Wood. The start of the race was very ‘jingly’ as the runners were given small bells to tie in the laces of their shoes.

The 970 entries was a significant increase over last year’s total of 525. Major kudos and thanks go to San Antonio radio stations KTSA and JACK-FM for their generous publicity leading up to the event.

The weather was a balmy 50 degrees with no wind at race time. The great weather was validated by the numerous stocking hats, gloves and mittens dropped on the race route by runners as they warmed up.

Santa Claus took a break from Christmas preparations at the North Pole and made a quick trip to New Braunfels to be at the race. He presented the awards to all of the winners and also started the kid’s races. His instructions were for them to start running after the third ‘HO’, as in HO-HO-HO.

After the race, runners enjoyed coffee, hot chocolate, fruit, drinks and sausage wraps all furnished by local businesses. In addition to the usual awards, a drawing was held from the 5K entries for a Southwest Airlines roundtrip ticket.

The course record time of 15:40 was threatened by the winner but just missed by 4 seconds. With her father’s speed in her genes, his daughter took first place in one of the kid’s runs.

We are already formulating plans for next year’s event to be even bigger and better. Many runners told me after the race that we can expect to see them back next year.

FREE Tickets - San Antonio vs Sacramento Kings 12/22/08!!

Exciting news today everyone!  The NBA World Champion San Antonio Spurs, H-E-B and KTFM are teaming up with more reasons to help our amazing kids. As part of Hope for the Holidays 2008, The New 94.1 KTFM Woody in the Morning show is broadcasting live from two San Antonio H-E-B stores this Friday, Dec. 19, from 5:30 - 10 a.m. giving away 50 pairs of tickets at each location for the Dec 22nd game between the Spurs and Sacaramento Kings.

Just make a cash donation either in person at the event or online (if online, be sure to bring your receipt) or review our home and child lists and bring an item to one of the two stores listed below during the broadcast. Tickets are first-come/first-serve, so get there with your donation before we run out! Remember, everything donated is for the special children at St. Jude’s Ranch, so even if you don’t receive tickets, your gift is still needed and very much appreciated.  St. Jude’s Ranch and our children thank you for your generosity and support during these difficult times, and wish you a blessed holiday season.

Locations: 

• H-E-B plus! 4100 S. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, TX 78223 - map

• H-E-B plus! 1150 NW Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78248 - map

Wonderful Evening for Night of Lights 2008 in Nevada

This year's Night of Lights on our Nevada campus marked another fabulous evening for guests and children alike.  Be sure to check out the photo album too!  The below update comes to us from Community Relations Coordinator, Jennifer Becker:

Night of Lights 2008 was bigger and better than ever. Hundreds of families participated in the activities with the most popular one being the hayride around the campus hosted by Tyanna Pollard, a staff member here.  The children sang Christmas carols on the ride all the way across campus culminating at the mailroom at the lower end of the campus where Marianne Oliver, another staff member, had fire pits roaring and s’mores available for everyone to make.

The arts and crafts station, run by staff members Aubany Gandi and Trina Richardson, was a fan favorite. Face painters and balloon makers from Steve-n-Kids were on-site to brighten the day for our guests. The children made ornaments in the arts and crafts station and took them home or hung them on a tree on display at the Ranch.

The event was a huge success, raising money to support the children of the Ranch and all the kids who live here. A thank you to our primary sponsors who included the Las Vegas Review Journal, The Rotary Club of Boulder City, The Jameson Family, Majestic Realty Foundation, Lindsey Slanker and Quality Custom Distributions.  Be sure to join us next year Friday, December 4th and Saturday December 5th for another wonderful evening. Happy Holidays!

Hope for the Holidays 2008 Going Strong - But We Still Need Your Help!

Hi Everyone! The following update on Hope for the Holidays 2008 comes from the folks at our Bulverde and New Braunfels, TX campuses. The fund/gift raiser is slowly gaining steam, but we still need your help to make this an amazing Christmas for our kids in Texas. Please know that ANY small amount you give makes a HUGE difference! We deeply appreciate your continued support of our precious children!

We kicked off our first-annual Hope for the Holidays 2008 with The New 94.1 KTFM - Woody in the Morning in San Antonio, TX on November 21, and the word about St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is spreading throughout South Texas. Through on-air promotions, interviews and special events we have raised more than $300 and received some of the toys and gifts on our wish lists.

We have seen a 106% increase in visitors to our web site since the beginning of the event, but we still need to reach higher to meet our goal of making this Christmas one of the best ever for our St. Jude’s Ranch Texas kids. We invite you to watch a video and hear first hand from one of our Bulverde kids, Matt, talking to KTFM’s morning show host Woody about what St. Jude’s Ranch has done for him then visit Hope for the Holidays 2008 to see how you can help our kids and our homes. Your support and generosity will truly make this Christmas special for our children in South Texas who currently call St. Jude's Ranch home. Thank you for everything you do for our kids and have a joyous holiday season!

Awesome Job by Team SJRC at the Las Vegas Marathon!!

What started with fireworks on the Vegas strip ended with just as much fanfare. Congratulations and a very sincere THANK YOU are in order for Team SJRC who recently participated in the Las Vegas Marathon and joined forces to raise funds and awareness for our amazing children. According to team founder and captain Johnna Bronson, $2,000 was raised by herself and fellow team members Ami Kempf, Kimberly Longley, Ron Longley and Julie Pomerantz. Johnna, Ami and Julie ran the half marathon and two of the members, Kimberly and Ron Longley ran the full marathon. Kimberly stated "how wonderful it was to run for such a great cause! We had so many cheers along the course and at the finish for St Jude's Ranch. It felt so good to do our small part to spread awareness."

On behalf of all of us here at SJRC, thank you to Johnna and her team and to all the wonderful supporters who give so much to St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Every little contribution makes a difference in the lives of some very deserving children.     

Our Kids Had a Great Thanksgiving at the Ranch!

Hello friends - the below write-up comes to us from our Community Relations Coordinator in Nevada, Jennifer Becker.  Read about the wonderful Thanksgiving celebration our kids had on our Boulder City campus.  Your support ensures memories like this continue for our kids - thank you!

This year at the St. Clare house on the Boulder City Campus, the children were treated to a home-cooked meal. Some of our newest arrivals were able to share the meal with some children who have been on the Ranch for a year or two. "It was quite wonderful seeing the kids all sharing in the event," said one staff member.  Jocelyn, a happy one year old, toddled around the table and enjoyed all the food, festivities and family the day had to offer. For children like her it is easy to see that the family-style approach that St. Jude’s Ranch takes to the care of our children is something she cherishes more everyday. With plenty of food to share with the whole family, this Thanksgiving on the Ranch is one our kids will not forget for many years.

Team SJR to Run the Las Vegas Half Marathon!

In case you haven't heard, we will be represented at the upcoming Las Vegas Half Marathon taking place this weekend! Here's an update from the team captain and founder, Johnna Bronson:

Hello Everyone, Just want to give you an update regarding the team running the Las Vegas Half Marathon for St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Team St. Jude's Ranch for Children, Johnna Bronson, Julie Pomerantz, Ami Kempf, Kimberley and Ron Longley, is excited to run the race this Sunday, December 7, 2008. All of the training and hard work is finally coming to a peak, and we are ready for it. My husband, Brett Bronson, is on the board of St. Jude's Ranch for Children, Boulder City Campus. One day we were discussing how I could become more active with the Ranch. And, an idea was born. I love to run, and he suggested I run the Las Vegas Half Marathon to bring awareness to a great charity and in turn raise money for the Ranch. So, I decided to contact some friends and put a team together. We are the first team to run the Las Vegas Half Marathon for St. Jude's Ranch and we will be wearing shirts to bring greater awareness to the community. We have had a huge amount of support and want to thank everyone for their donations to the Ranch. We will let you know how it goes. Again, thank you for all of your support and love, Johnna

If you are interested in donating to our team, you can click here to make a secure online donation or read more about this great event on our website here.

St. Jude's Ranch for Children Featured in San Antonio Business Journal

Great news to share today!  The San Antonio Business Journal featured a great story about St. Jude's Ranch for Children, our recent Impact San Antonio award for $100,000 and the relocation of our Transitional Living Program to the Alamo city.  Currently in Bulverde, the program is expanding and moving to San Antonio where it will have better educational opportunities including access to public transportation.  Read more about this exciting news here.