SharieJane's

03/22/2019

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Jersey Mike’s Subs for awarding Tori’s Angels’ Chairman and CEO Bill Ridgley one of five $5,000 “Sub Abover” grants in recognition of his efforts to make a difference in the local community through Tori’s Angels Foundation. Fellow volunteer Jackie Wicks nominated Ridgley and wrote, “Bill Ridgley is the unpaid CEO of Tori's Angels. This foundation helps families of kids with life-threatening medical conditions. The foundation pays insurance deductibles, co-pays, medicine, mileage for treatment, air fare, hotel stays, meals, etc. — anything out of pocket for the family so that they can concentrate on getting their child well. This is an all volunteer organization run by Bill Ridgley and his wife, Connie.”

The idea of Tori’s Angels Foundation began in July 2010 with a community breakfast fundraiser, hosted by the Panora United Methodist Church, and organized by Ridgley, his wife, and two other couples. Their goal was to raise money to assist with the medical expenses of then five-year-old Tori Heckman of Panora, who has had multiple heart surgeries since birth. “The response from our small community was enormous,” said Ridgley. “We have about 1,000 people in our town, and over 800 came to the event.” The fundraiser was so successful that the idea of a foundation to help other children with life-threatening medical conditions was born, and was named for the community “angels” who generously supported Tori. She is now 13 years old and thriving.

Ridgley said, “We had no idea at the time that we’d end up with 48 kids, and we are still growing dramatically,” Ridgley said. He said that the grant from Jersey Mike’s will allow them to take on an additional child. “It costs about $5,000 to cover each child.” With no administrative costs, every dollar donated to Tori’s Angels goes directly to help the children and their families throughout Iowa. Ridgley advises those who are interested in getting more involved in the community to find a cause they are passionate about. “Some don’t want to give time or treasure because they feel it limits them, but the more you give — even washing dishes at a fundraiser — the more you receive.”

Thank you, Jersey Mike's - and thank you to Bill who will donate his grant to the foundation.

10/02/2018

Nearly 300 of Elayna's friends came to show their support for her parents, Lucy and Jake. A special memory jar was available for Elayna's friends to share their memories, and large photos of Elayna were displayed throughout the venue. With music in the background, the kids enjoyed Mickey Mouse pancakes, slushies & popcorn - and had fun with face painting, spin art, Elayna tattoos, giant jenga and Connect 4, and made friends with superheroes and beautiful princesses. AND, kids "drove" the State Trooper patrol car and craned their necks to the sky to see the firetruck's ladder extended so high in the air! The silent auction was a big success - and attendees were very generous with their donations to help Tori's Angels. And, it was great to see 11 of our sponsored families attend! THANK YOU to everyone who attended, donated, and volunteered. We couldn't do this without you!
YOU MAY KNOW....100% of all donations for the event will help the foundation’s 31 sponsored children in central Iowa (having helped 41 families to date). Tori’s Angels pays all medical expenses not covered by insurance from the date of sponsorship until the child’s 19th birthday. This includes travel expenses to treatment as well as prescriptions, medical co-pays and deductibles. Anyone unable to attend the benefit is invited to send donations to Bill Ridgley at 4677 Panorama Dr, Panora IA 50216. Online donation options are located on the foundation’s website, www.torisangels.org, and on Facebook at www.facebook/torisangels. For more information about Tori’s Angels or to request an application for support, contact the foundation’s chairman, Bill Ridgley, at [email protected] or 712-249-6423.

06/28/2018

The latest issue of the National Pork Board’s Pork Checkoff Report featured insight from Dr. Michelle Sprague, AMVC’s Director of Sow Health. Dr. Sprague discussed pork producers’ dedication to using antibiotics responsibly and ensuring the production of safe and wholesome pork products for consumers.

“Veterinarians are the front line of defense when it comes to food safety,” Sprague said. “This includes everything from ensuring the health of pigs entering the food chain to guarding against disease spread between pigs and people at county fairs.”

The pork industry is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the We Care initiative, a program designed to promote producers’ commitment to employing responsible production practices.

“We Care emphasizes the producers’ commitment to doing the right thing, including guarding public health,” Sprague said. “It gives pig farmers common goals to rally behind and to strive for every day.”

Read the Dr. Sprague’s insight in full here: https://www.pork.org/blog/producers-vets-take-protecting-public-health-heart/

07/09/2011

06/01/2011

Getting ready for a trunk show Friday night and technique class on Saturday in Omaha at Sew Creative. Come join the fun!!

05/24/2011

A special dress for a special day!! The 1st Birthday dress has a detachable collar and a slip underneath that would be a very cute sundress by itself. Custom embroidery always available also. Order yours today!

05/20/2011

Here's pics from the Teen Sewing School we had a couple of weeks ago. This group of teens was so fun to work with and they all made some great projects! More teen and adult sewing schools to come in the future. Let us know if you'd be interested. Happy Sewing!

05/20/2011

05/18/2011

Check out "Sew Creative" sewing store on Facebook. We are teaching a couple of classes there June 3rd & 4th. If you are in the Omaha area, stop in their store and take a look at our display and all the wonderful fabrics and notions that Sew Creative has to offer.

05/02/2011