Partner Profile: Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund

Many people know Randy Shaver only as KARE 11’s award winning sports director, covering Minnesota sports for more than 25 years. However, members of the cancer community know him as the founder of the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund, one of the Miracles of Mitch Foundation’s strongest corporate partners.

For each of the past three years, the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund has generously provided a grant of at least $20,000 to MOMF to support its MiracleKids Kamp. In fact, this year, they’ve provided a $25,000 grant to support the camp, which will occur July 25-29 at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minn.

“After hearing Dr. Joanna Perkins’ request for a donation to support The Miracles of Mitch Foundation’s MiracleKids Kamp, we recognized immediately that this camp was unique and extremely important to Minnesota’s Cancer Community,” says Roseann Giovanatto-Shaver, Executive Director of The Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund. “Dr. Perkins and four nurses donate their time and medical expertise to children attending this camp, which shows the incredible passion associated with their work. The children attending seem to be nurtured and supported in a fun and safe environment and look forward to their summer camp experience.”

Founded in 2003, the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund supports research, prevention, treatment and other needs of Minnesota’s cancer community. The organization’s primary fundraising event, the Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic, began in 1995, raising $27,000. It has grown to be arguably one of Minnesota’s most successful charitable golf tournaments, raising nearly $4 million to date.

Randy’s focus has always been cancer research and Minnesota’s cancer community. However, the fight became personal after the 1998 golf tournament when he was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin’s Disease. His treatment and current remission prove that this community and its generosity have made an impact on Randy and others like him.

This generous support has also made a tremendous impact on the Miracles of Mitch Foundation’s ability to assist the families of pediatric cancer patients in Minnesota. Not only does it enable MOMF to continue offering the MiracleKids Kamp experience to more than 100 current and past pediatric cancer and blood disease patients and their siblings annually, but it also results in more available funds to expand other mission-critical programs for our families in need.

“It is our mission to support Minnesota’s Cancer Community, with a priority on research,” says Roseann. “However, the reason we added ‘Community Fund’ to our name was so that we wouldn't miss out on an opportunity to support outstanding partners like The Miracles of Mitch Foundation in their effort to make life a bit easier for Minnesota’s Cancer patients."

Partner Profile: M&I Bank

In order to execute its mission to assist pediatric cancer families, The Miracles of Mitch Foundation enlists the support of a variety of corporate partners throughout the year. One of its strongest corporate partners is M&I Bank, which has supported the foundation at every possible level.

“M&I feels fortunate to be able to partner with The Miracles of Mitch Foundation to make a difference in the lives of pediatric cancer patients and families who live or are treated in the communities we serve,” says Lori Day, Senior Vice President, M&I Bank.

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation is a diversified financial services corporation headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. Founded in 1847, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank is the largest Wisconsin-based bank, with 192 offices throughout the state as well as 26 locations in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul and Duluth). With 357 total locations, M&I and its subsidiaries also reach into Arizona, Indiana, Florida, as well as the Kansas City and Las Vegas, Nev., and St. Louis markets.

M&I also provides trust and investment management, equipment leasing, mortgage banking, asset-based lending, financial planning, investments, and insurance services from offices throughout the country and on the Internet. M&I’s customer-based approach, internal growth, and strategic acquisitions have made M&I a nationally recognized leader in the financial services industry.

Since its inception, Marshall & Ilsley Corporation and its affiliates have been dedicated to committing the resources its communities need to thrive. M&I employees also play an integral role in the contributions made, as a corporation, to the community. That's why,

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Partner Profile: Eden Trace

With only five employees, Eden Trace wouldn’t be considered the largest company on the block. In terms of its commitment to The Miracles of Mitch Foundation, however, the Chanhassen, Minn.-based company is a giant.

“Eden Trace believes The Miracles of Mitch Foundation is a valuable resource to the pediatric cancer community,” says Mark Undestad, president of Eden Trace. “Cancer research organizations have a higher profile and, therefore, typically receive more funding than organizations like MOMF. We like the fact that MOMF provides patient services to help pediatric cancer families meet the financial and quality-of-life challenges of extended treatment – regardless of whether a cure is found.”

Established in 1985, Eden Trace is the premier Southwest Metro area construction management firm with expertise in designing and building smart office complexes, combined warehouse and light manufacturing space.

Although Undestad and his wife, Tracy, have long supported MOMF, Eden Trace dramatically increased its involvement in the autumn of 2008 when Mark joined its Board of Directors. Since that time, Eden Trace has annually been a Gold Sponsor for the Minnesota Miracle New Year’s Eve Celebration and the Title Sponsor for the Miracle Open Golf Challenge.

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The Undestad / Eden Trace commitment reaches beyond sponsorship to help pediatric cancer families. In November 2009, Undestad flew his private plane to Duluth, Minn., to pick up a cancer patient who wanted to come to the Twin Cities to enjoy a Minnesota Miracle weekend, but had no transportation options. The young man and two guests enjoyed their time at the Hilton MSP Airport Hotel, Mall of America and a Minnesota Vikings football game before Undestad flew them back home.

In addition, Undestad often donates his center court Minnesota Timberwolves tickets to MOMF to brighten a cancer family’s day. Currently, he is using his Eden Trace contacts to help MOMF source a trailer to use for its fundraising events.

Mark Undestad’s and Eden Trace’s commitment to The Miracles of Mitch Foundation has enabled the foundation to continue expanding its mission. This valued partnership is poised to make an even greater impact on the lives of families of pediatric cancer patients in the future.

“I’ve had the honor of meeting several of the courageous children battling cancer who have received assistance from The Miracles of Mitch Foundation,” says Undestad. “It feels good to know we’ve played a small role in helping their families, and when you see the smiles on their faces, you just know you’re doing the right thing. We look forward making a lot more of these kids smile in the future.”

Partner Profile: Cargill

When people think about Cargill, they often picture a large international company that seems to be everywhere in the world, but not really in their own back yards. Nothing could be further from the truth. From the employees working at thousands of facilities across the globe, to many of the items in your refrigerator or on your dinner table, to the millions of dollars it invests back into the communities in which it does business, Cargill impacts all of us. For The Miracles of Mitch Foundation, nowhere is that impact felt more strongly than through Cargill’s annual title sponsorship of the MiracleKids Triathlon.

“The MiracleKids Triathlon has really captivated Cargill employee involvement on both a volunteer and participation basis,” says Mike LeSage, vice president of Risk Management for Cargill and a member of the triathlon leadership team. “What started out as a trial involvement has grown into one of our favorite annual events as close to 1,000 employees have volunteered or brought their children/ grandchildren to race. Often, employees have also made personal donations or pledges to these kids racing. Since 2005, Cargill Business Units have contributed close to $750,000 to the Miracles of Mitch Foundation through this event.”

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865,this privately held company headquartered in Wayzata, Minn., employs 138,000 people in 67 countries.Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, andis committed to sharingits global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges.

Cargill has also shared its knowledge and experience through the many employees who have been involved with the triathlon – many in planning roles. According to Schiller, three things about the event have captured the spirit of Cargill employees and resulted in a strong partnership: “what,” “who” and “why.” First, the “what”: a triathlon event focused on participation and fun in a unique sport combining three life-long fitness sports into one. Schiller adds that the triathlon wasn’t like the many "thon" events such as marathons, walk-a-thons, and ride-a-thons that Cargill is usually asked to sponsor.

Secondly, the “who”: kids. Schiller notes that Cargill has had a long history of supporting various kids’ causes, especially for at-risk youth groups. But with the recent epidemic of childhood obesity becoming a concern, and one of Cargill’s community focus areas concentrating on nutrition and health, the timing was right for an event that inspired kids to exercise and lead healthier lives.

Third, the “why”: Kids Racing for Kids Who Can't. Schiller believes this theme is key in that the event centers on something more significant than winning. “The idea that each participant was racing

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for a child who has battled cancer is what brings it all together,” he says. “The Cargill employees have embraced the theme as a way to teach their kids about community service, being charitable, and realizing that each of us can make a difference.”

Cargill has also made a difference by supporting other MOMF events, such as the Minnesota Miracle New Year’s Eve Celebration, Miracle Open Golf Challenge and Shoot for a Miracle. However, it’s the MiracleKids Triathlon where Cargill has truly made its mark.

“Our sponsorship of the MiracleKids Triathlon has been a hugely successful, win-win partnership for Cargill and The Miracles of Mitch Foundation,” says LeSage. “The event offers an exciting and fun volunteer experience for Cargill employees and benefits a great nonprofit organization that’s touching many lives right here in our headquarters community. We look forward to watching the event continue to grow and playing a major role in that growth not only in Minneapolis, but hopefully in other communities across the country.”

Partner Profile: Hilton MSP Airport Hotel
Every day, hundreds of people traveling from across the country for business make the Hilton Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel their home away from home. What they don’t realize is that throughout the year, the Hilton, which is located in Bloomington, Minn., has also become a home away from home – if only for two nights – for the families of pediatric cancer patients enjoying a Minnesota Miracle weekend. This is just one of the many ways that the Hilton, “the hotel with a heart,” supports the mission of The Miracles of Mitch Foundation (MOMF).

“We are proud to partner with The Miracles of Mitch Foundation,” says Hilton General Manager Chuck Goldberg. “The experiences we have shared with these families as part of the Minnesota Miracle weekends have not only been truly loved by our staff, but they also exemplify the vision of Hilton’s founder, Conrad Hilton. He once said our mission is to bring light and warmth to those guests who choose to make a temporary home with us whether for one day or one month. The Minnesota Miracle weekend does just that for these families.”

When MOMF co-founder Steve Chepokas began developing the Minnesota Miracle idea in 2005, Shawn Anderson, the Hilton’s current Vice President and Director of Sales and Marketing, played a pivotal role. As collaborative effort between MOMF, the Hilton and Mall of America®, the program was created to offer mini family getaways resembling Disney World vacations, but right in the foundation’s backyard. Since that time, the Hilton hosts Minnesota Miracles almost every weekend of the year, welcoming 82 families last year alone.

These mini vacations offer everything for a stress-free weekend getaway: two adjoining rooms; age-appropriate toys for the patient and any accompanying siblings; pre-paid Visa gift card to use for a shopping spree or weekend incidentals; Holiday gas card if needed; Nickelodeon Universe® and Underwater Adventures® Aquarium passes; Mall of America® coupon books; MOMF gift items; Hilton breakfast vouchers and kitchen tours with Hilton Executive Chef Eric Baker.

The Hilton staff plays an integral role in each Minnesota Miracle weekend. From booking reservations and decorating rooms with MOMF balloons and toys that MOMF has specially selected for the patient and siblings, to the front desk greeting, they provide a welcoming atmosphere. By forgetting about the challenges of cancer treatment, if only for two days, the families create special memories to last a lifetime.

“My child forgot about cancer for the first time since diagnosis,” says Linda, mother of 14-year-old Queen. “That made this a miracle weekend for me.”

Although the Hilton-MOMF partnership was well established when Goldberg became the hotel’s general manager in 2007, his giving heart looked for ways to expand the partnership. Whenever MOMF requests something for its cancer families, Chuck responds, “Whatever you need.”

In addition to the Minnesota Miracle program, the Hilton generously purchases sponsorships and offers both wine-paired dinners and Presidential Suite packages as live auction items for most MOMF fundraising events, generating thousands of additional dollars annually.

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During the past five years, the strongest example of the Hilton’s commitment to MOMF events is its involvement in the Minnesota Miracle New Year’s Eve Celebration. Hilton not only provides the venue for this family gala, but also creates special hotel packages for guests. Anderson and Goldberg, as well as Group Sales Manager Tammy King, also serve as important members of the event steering committee. Hilton staffers negotiate contracts with food and beverage suppliers to include in-kind donations to this event in order to increase the amount of money raised for MOMF. In 2009, 560 people attended the event, which sold out for the first time and netted more than $78,000.

Whether it’s offering families a break from their battle against cancer, or aiding The Miracles of Mitch Foundation in raising its mission-critical funds, the Hilton Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel is truly the “hotel with a heart.”

“Working with The Miracles of Mitch Foundation to help create the Minnesota Miracle weekend program and New Year's Eve Celebration has been a magical experience,” says Anderson. “To see these initiatives grow from the very beginning to present day is remarkable and a testament to a group of people whose goal is to help make a difference for others. I cannot think of a more fitting definition of the word ‘hospitality,’ and I am so proud to be a part of their success."

Partner Profile: CHCM
The Miracles of Mitch Foundation is proud to be a member of Community Health Charities Minnesota, a federation of 35 leading health research and service charities fighting chronic illness. CHCM partners with employers to enhance their charitable giving programs. They provide employees with meaningful ways to connect with the health charities of their choice through volunteerism, education and workplace giving.  

CHCM is the Minnesota affiliate of Community Health Charities, the nation's second largest workplace giving organization, and the only organization of its kind devoted exclusively to improving lives affected by chronic illness.  

To learn more about Community Health Charities Minnesota, please visit www.healthcharitiesmn.org. If you'd like get your organization involved with CHCM, please contact Mike Krance at mike@miraclesofmitch.org.