Tag Archive for: Isabella Santos Foundation Volunteer

Mother-Daughter Duo Making a Difference

Charlotte and Jennifer Gaston

Charlotte Gaston was just 11 years old when she got involved in the Isabella Santos Foundation. Her mom, Jennifer, was serving on the ISF 5K/10K for Kids Cancer marketing committee and brought Charlotte to a meeting. It was there that Charlotte shared some great ideas and was asked to join the committee.

Since getting involved in 2012, Charlotte has volunteered on the marketing committee and at the race, run in the event, and used her creative skills to fundraise for ISF. She made earrings and hair ties to sell for donations for ISF, and painted a canvas at Bella’s Birthday Bash at Small Hands Big Art. The painted canvases from the event were used in various ISF events throughout the years.

“I was just along for the ride with Charlotte’s great ideas that she brought to the table,” said Jennifer. “Charlotte and I have volunteered, distributed race materials to retail stores and have done her projects together. Sharing this experience with her has been very rewarding.”

Charlotte also helped coordinate ISF’s T-Shirt contest where she brought together students from area high schools to collect the entries and select the winning design, which was featured on the kids’ race shirts. In addition, she assembled bracelets for ISF’s Coffee For A Cure.

“It is so cool seeing how much the Isabella Santos Foundation has grown and the impact we have all had over the past six years,” said Charlotte who is now a senior at Ardrey Kell High School. “I want to stay involved as much as possible this year before I head off the college.”

Jennifer also continues to stay involved as a volunteer for the race and Coffee For A Cure, and is passionate about introducing her friends to ISF. “Volunteering with the Isabella Santos Foundation has been a great experience for both of us and has helped Charlotte see what an organization like this is capable of with the support of a lot of people,” says Jennifer. “This experience has been very meaningful and will help her in college about how to get involved and make a difference.”

Wanted: Auction Committee Volunteers

Our Silent Auction is a huge part of our fundraising efforts each year!  Our Auction Committee is moving full steam ahead creating must-have auction packages. We are excited to not only have our auction available at our annual 5K/10K For Kids Cancer event, but also an auction at the NEW Pumpkin Charity Ball in October with Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation.  We are in need of more volunteer hands.

We don’t just need help securing items… but packaging them as well.  We receive such fun items from our generous community businesses and beyond:  Date night packages with hotel/dinner/limo, jewelry, kids activities, sports tickets and memorabilia, spa packages, vacations and more.  We would love for you to join our Auction Committee and help us make this year’s silent auction a success.  Our two auction needs are:

  1. Auction Procurement:  our community (and far beyond) have been so generous in donating items for our silent auction.  We need your help in requesting donations from local businesses and securing the items.
  2. Auction Packaging:  Don’t feel comfortable asking for donations?  We still need your help… just as much work goes into the packaging .

We hope you will join us and volunteer this summer to help make our silent auctions the best in town.  Interested in learning more, please email Melanie, our Auction Committee Lead: melanie@isabellasantosfoundation.org