Dear Bucket Brigade Family,

2008 has been a year full of accomplishments for the Bucket Brigade Foundation. So far we have been able to help 7 very special children and their families.  Bradyn Lee age 2  received $1000 in food gift certificates to help with the cost of his special diet due to celiac disease and severe food allergies.  Jordan Johnson age 6 - received a family fun day at the Mall of America - this helped with the stress of dealing with his inoperable brain stem tumor.  Hendrix Johnson age 16 - suffers from Rassmussen Syndrome ( inflammation of the brain cells) received full scholarship to attend Camp Courage.  Jacob age 12 and Matthew Kruger age 7 have Retinitis Pigmentosa ( Blindness) received tuition scholarship to Blind Camp.  Kaiden Studevan age 4 has a seizure disorder and developmental delays received his first 2 wheel bicycle and toys - Josh Walz age 14 - has adult leukemia received a lap top computer, printer and student software to help prepare him for high school. 

To see and meet these very deserving and wonderful families has truly been my pleasure.  We are now able to take applications all year long and provide benefits immediately if necessary.  So please submit any nominations to me ASAP so we can try to process them in a timely manner.

I would like to thank all members of the Bucket Brigade Club who worked so very hard to pull this fabulous run off so smoothly.  The WOW  and COOL factors were over the top!!  I know how much work went into this and how stressful it is to plan and execute.  As chairperson of the Foundation I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I would also like to thank some people from the foundation who were very instrumental in getting this run off the ground and running.  Roxann Johnson and Mary Jo Burress my deepest gratitude to each of you for all the many details and logistics you developed to make the day a success.  Your commitment to the children and the success of the charity run is deeply felt by not just the children but all who attended the run.  Thank you and bless you for all you do.  I would just like to take a moment to thank Mike Burress for his hard work bringing the Foundation to the success it now celebrates.  You have done a wonderful job and continue to be a valuable resource for us to depend upon. Lastly I would like to extend a big thank you and hug to Dick Johnson who is the glue that keeps us all together and on top of our game.  I know how it is at the top, sometimes very wonderful and often times very frustrating but you do such a good job of treating everyone fairly and guiding us in new directions.  Kudos to you my President you do one heck of a great job.

I have addressed this to you as my Bucket Brigade Family and I really mean that.  During the run we cooperated and worked as a family to reach our goal.  The friendliness and camaraderie was outstanding and I was very proud to be counted among your friends and to have you as mine.