TEAMMATES FOR KIDS APPRECIATION PARTY – JULY 2008
HAIL CAESAR …
was the cry heard ‘round the ballroom at The Teammates for Kids auction hosted at Caesars Palace this past July. Roman-garbed Centurions proclaimed “Hail Caesar” at each raise of the highest bid during the LIVE Auction. It didn’t take long for attending guests to join-in on this proclamation. Hockey pro Chris Dingman and Clay Newman who were seated together, were enthusiastic participants. Adding to the spirited atmosphere, were ESPN analyst Steve Levy and Barry Melrose. It’s our pleasure to have Steve and Barry on board as our official event hosts. Teammates co-founder Garth Brooks, raised the bar one notch higher by bidding on his own guitar … the guitar he played at this year’s ACM awards. He announced to attending guests that he could not part with “his baby,” becoming the owner once again, of his guitar as the winning bidder.
The all-Star Kids Program featured some special children there to represent our charity partnerships. Leading off the program was 9-year-old Katie Steward, a member of First Downs for Downs Syndrome in Kansas City Missouri. Katie told the crowd she was an Elvis fan. After getting to know Garth Brooks during the two-day event, she admitted her new favorite was, “Forever, Garth Brooks.” Twelve year old Stanley Simpson from Buffalo New York was the second ambassador. Stanley talked about sports and his participation in a program called Noogieland. Offered through Gilda’s Club after the late Gilda Radner, this program supports families dealing with challenges caused by cancer. The final participant from A.B.L.E. Youth was accompanied by her assistance dog, Zambique. Savannah Miller, is the current reigning Miss Wheelchair Tennessee. During her stage appearance, she talked about winning this title. She also told about two awards in previous years for Miss Congeniality and a talent award for a signing-interpretation of Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” These kids were each escorted by an athlete who is a participating hockey or football Teammate. Each child received an i-pod donated by Gregg Randolph of Desert BMW in Henderson Nevada in appreciation for their participation.
The night was only beginning at the conclusion of the auction. A total of 4,000 guests gathered in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The program began with a video update about a project collaboration with Troy Aikman’s Foundation called The Child Life ZONE. Child Life ZONES are a state-of-the-art environment within a Children’s Hospital where pediatric patients and their families can play and getaway from hospital realities … a place where NO DOCTORS or NEEDLES are allowed. Following the video, seventeen year old Nichole Melendez joined Garth and Steve Levy on stage. She talked about visiting The Child Life ZONE at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. Nichole spent time learning to cook in The ZONE kitchen. She is now interested in becoming a chef with an emphasis in healthy meals for kids. Nichole said the time she spent at The Child Life ZONE helped her want to help others and helped make her the strong person she is today. She also explained that The ZONE helped her family cope with her many years of treatments and recently from a kidney transplant this past February.
The curtain then opened to an energy-packed performance by Garth Brooks and his band, that lasted nearly two-hours. A screen that measured 2-stories high and 3-stories wide gave every guest a binocular view of country music’s acclaimed superstar. The immense Colosseum stage was a wide-open-space for Garth Brooks who told the crowd to buckle up because they were in for a long ride. During the show, Garth rounded up Craig Terrill of the Seattle Seahawks to sing a rendition of Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) and later Chris Dingman, to sit-in on drums.
But on this night, a new superstar emerged … and a dazzling moment was born! This moment occurred after Garth welcomed Trisha Yearwood to the stage. She sang her hit “Walk Away Joe,” and then she asked Nichole Melendez to come back on stage. Garth followed her out from with a stool. Nichole took a seat and the faces of Trisha and Nichole filled the massive background screen. Trisha held the microphone close between them and together they sang How Do I Live Without You. Eyes welled, hearts were inspired, and silence seized the moment…as Trisha and Nichole dazzled the audience. Their performance received a well-deserved applause and can only be described as … indescribable!
The evening began with the exclamation HAIL CAESAR and ended with an exclamation point! Beckoned by a standing ovation, Garth hugged his guitar and introduced his final song as his favorite … The Dance, a soaring solo conclusion to the two-day appreciation event.
ADAM BENDER
The Teammates For Kids Foundation met a special young man at our recent Appreciation Party at Caesars Palace this past July. His personal story of determination and his love for life inspired donors and professional athletes alike. We were honored to have Adam, his mom and sister Morgan attend our event … now we are proud to introduce him to you.
Adam Bender i s just a typical kid playing baseball, which is exactly how his parents Michelle and Chris want it. Adam lost his left leg to cancer at the age of one. Although Adam’s mom says this has presented challenges along the way, none have kept him away from learning to adapt and accomplish whatever he wished. She says Adam is an active member of the family who prefers to be outdoors involved in a sports activity. He swims, rides his bike with friends, plays soccer and is enthusiastic about the game of baseball. As his mom explains, “he loves-playing, loves-catching and doesn’t think he’s doing anything out of the ordinary.”
Little League Coach Dan Wyse of the Kentucky Astros said he went out of his way to get Adam on his team. “He’s a good kid, a good catcher, and he brings a great-attitude that’s an inspiration to everybody.”
Adam plays his position without limiting himself. This on-field example is a reminder that believing in “possibility” is all that’s needed to overcome any physical “disability.” Adam is determined to grasp every “possibility” by focusing on his “ability.” He shows this daily to his family, his team, his fans and recently to guests who attended the Teammates for Kids Appreciation Party at Caesars Palace. Along with his mother Michelle and his sister Morgan, Adam won the hearts of all who attended the event hosted by Garth Brooks. We tip our baseball caps to the determined spirit of Adam Bender!
Royals Win ... Kids Win!
"Hey Royals fans … you know I love baseball … and I love my friends in Kansas City.
So I want to invite you to join me and your favorite Royals in becoming a Kansas City Teammate for Kids.
The Teammates for Kids Foundation helps children around the World and right here in Kansas City."
Here’s how you can be part of the team:
Make a donation for every ROYALS WIN
You can make a difference
Jerry, we'll miss you!
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jerry Zucker, an influential leader and devoted family man. Jerry and Anita Zucker participated in many Teammates for Kids events over the years. His family was an honored part of our family. Jerry’s brilliance and generosity were evident through his involvement with many organizations in his community of Charleston, South Carolina and around the world. We are grateful to have known Jerry Zucker as a great friend and partner. We tip our hearts in tribute to Jerry Zucker’s life … a life abundantly lived!
Hospital ZONE News
The Teammates for Kid Foundation was honored to take part in two ZONE happenings this past January.
The first ZONE unveiling took place in Fort Worth Texas at Cook Children’s Medical Center. Garth Brooks and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman participated in the Grand Opening of an updated therapeutic area called the ZONE Playroom. Garth’s efforts with the NHL, the NHL Players Association and Teammates for Kids provided space for the new area once called Aikman’s End Zone. The two superstars jumped right into the game atmosphere. Garth lent his cowboy hat to Troy, who tested his ability by playing video air guitar. Despite his best fingering maneuvers, Aikman graciously took a loss. Garth, facing 9-year-old patient Rodnick Phillips, also accepted a loss during his NHL video game attempt and turned to playing Go Fish.
The second ZONE event was a groundbreaking that took place at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at their Scottish Rite campus. Garth flew to Atlanta arriving in the early morning hours after completing his final show at the Staples Center, for the Fire Intervention Relief Effort. The Sunday morning ZONE groundbreaking forecasted a collection of interactive activity areas for children receiving treatment at the hospital. Underwritten by Teammates for Kids, the official charity of the NHL and NHLPA, the Atlanta ZONE will be the sixth such facility in the United States. Also in attendance were Dr. Jim Tally, CEO of the Atlanta facility, Rex Carpenter of HKS Architects, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, Paul Kelly Executive Director of the Players’ Association, Thrashers General Manager and Head Coach Don Waddell as well as players Jim Slater from the Thrashers, goaltender Tim Thomas from the Bruins and the kids favorite, Atlanta mascot Thrash.
Each Children’s Hospital ZONE is a place created for children to laugh and play … and always a place where doctors and needles are kept away!
©2008 Teammates For Kids Foundation. All rights reserved.
