B the messagewhatever your message is: Love, laughter, kindness, courage, dignity, acceptance, encouragement, strength, grace, hope... Live your message every day and you will change the world. We can only control our own behavior - but your actions effect others - and spreads your message.
Chuck only exists because people from America to Australia literally loved him into becoming real. It turns out the little pink bean bag doll I created and thought had disappeared has given laughter, love and comfort to people all over the world - in very dramatic ways - by just being himself. We can do the same. Love has resur- rected him and changed both our lives.
Chuck means something different to everyone. As John in Memphis says,
"Chuck is a metaphor for whatever people need him to be... But ultimately he is love and understanding."
Chuck's "B the message" campaign is meant to encourage all of us to do our best. People say its infinite & universal meaning has inspired them...let it inspire you too.
Write on Chuck and literally make him your message!Use a permanent fabric marker. "Y & C" FabricMate is the only pen I've found that works. Joann's Frabrics and craft stores carry them. Other "non-bleed" fabric markers bleed in spite of what they say. Hint: Start on Chucks back or bottom...just in case.
Create a Message for Someone Dealing with:
Illness / Loss / Major Life Changes
Loneliness / Depression / Heartbreak
Living Away From Home / In the Military / At College
For a Cause / Peace / Environment / Birthdays
Ecouragement / Friendship / Support
IDEAS:Classrooms, church groups, offices, clubs...Send Chuck with your creative message to people that need suport, comfort, or a friend.
Examples: Hospitals/Military. Adopt a ward of sick children, elderly patients or soldiers (away from home or in hospitals). Draw on Chuck and send him to each patient or soldier with loving and encouraging messages.
Examples of words to write on Chuck: Live, love, thrive, survive, trust, brave, courage family, friends, dignity, country strength, gratitude, honor, peace, loyalty, home, etc...
Doctors, nurses and friends can sign Chuck like they would a friend's cast.
B Creative. You can't go wrong. You're sharing Love.
Sponsorship: Have a Business/organization underwrite Chucks for the group. Benefit to Sponsor: Tax Write-Off, Free, Positive Publicity, use for Advertising, Shareholder Newsletters, Community Out-Reach.
Fundraising Ideas:
Customize Chuck & Auction or Raffle Him.
Have Celebrities Draw On Chuck and/or Autograph Him to Auction.
Buy him from me and sell him for your event. I'll design marketing material.
May, 2008
- City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital Los Angeles carries Chuck!
- Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC - now carries Chuck!
- Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte, NC - now carries Chuck!
July, 2008
- Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, NY - now carries Chuck!
- Monkey House Toys in Los Feliz, CA - carries Chuck!
Special Thanks To:
The following kind and generous friends of Chuck's who helped make it possible to send him to the campers attending Big Sky Camp in Bozeman, Montana this summer.
- Lolly Shields, John Eubanks, Denise Sharpe, Carol Hiller, Dianne Proctor, Rae Avolio, Michele Staple, Ed and Virginia Sale, Lee Anne Woltkamp, Bunnie Rowell and Bill Lynch. Thanks friends!
The Big Sky KidsCamp at Eagle Mount brings young cancer patients, age 5 to 23, to Southwestern Montana for outdoor recreation camps. They provide a positive environment and give children, teens, and parents emotional support, a sense of normalcy, and a network of friends who share similar experiences. Big Sky Kids was launched in 1985 and includes outdoor adventure camps ffor young children, teens, and a family ski weekend. Eagle Mount’s Big Sky Adventure Camp is offered at no cost to the participants. This is possible through the generous support and donations of numerous businesses, organizations and individuals. To find out more about Big Sky Kids visit them at: Big Sky Kids Camp:www.eaglemount.org
And the Thanks continue....
Lolly Shieldswho introduced him to the North Carolina hospitals where they fell in love with BC. She says she's taking him to other hospitals and creative mseums. Lolly did this on her own. She has purchased over a dozen BCs for sick children and those in need of comfort. She has even sent donations to support Chuck and called the media to tell Chuck's story. She is remarkable and loves Boney very much. We thank her.
John Eubanks, of Memphis, has also purchased over a dozen BCs to gift to others. He even preached a children's sermon about Chuck's values. Recently I was amazed to receive a large check from John with a letter explaining that he loves Chuck's story and message and felt it should be shared with the world. He said he admired my dedication to this journey and as a Christian he considered it tithing. Thank you John.
Julie Jacquinde at City of Hope who carries Chuck in her hospital gift shop and actively promotes him with celebrities. Her mission is to get celebrities to draw on or autograph Chuck and auction him at City of Hopes fundraising benefits. Recently she got autographs from Avril Lavigne, Mariel Hemminway, Justin Chambers (Gey's Anatomy's Dr. Alex Karey), Tommy Lasorda, Andre Ethier and the LA Dodgers and I can't remember who else. She's purchased 100 BCs and regularly gifts them. She invited me to autograph Chuck at the City of Hope : Walk for Hope.
Meta Kennedy, in Michigan is Chuck's Fan Club President. For two months she and her husband, Randy sponsored two Kiosks in a mall in Minnesota to promote Boneless Chuck at their own expense! They changed the display every couple of weeks and posted all kinds of information from his websites. AMAZING. Randy also takes Chuck to the Annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally. Meta made Chuck leather chaps, a Harley vest complete with doo-rag. Doesn't he look great with all his pinkest pals?
Chuck's fans are amazing. They feel an emotional connection to Chuck and advocate for him on their own. They treat him as a friend and companion - not a doll or toy. Have you ever heard of adults traveling, photographing and promoting something they thought of as merely a toy? I never have. People find something in him that Disney and Madison Avenue spend millions every day trying to develop and market; but Chuck just seems to have it - that "special something". I'm as suprised as anyone. He's a grassroots phenomenon; an underdog hero born in the hearts of his fans who simply find him special.
I sentRobin Roberts of ABC: Good Morning America Boneless Chuck to have by her side as she deals with cancer. She is very brave and met Chuck several years ago when fans brought him to the show - she and Charlie Gibson autographed his poster! They were on CBS at the time. She was so brave to shave her head on national television and no one knows better how beautiful bald can be like Chuck. :-)
FUNDRAISING
LIVE. LOVE. THRIVE. SURVIVE CANCER. YES YOU CAN.
In Oct. 25% of Chuck's sales were donated to various organizations dedicated to early dection of cancer and helping people cope with it.
Chuck's life is owed to the love and kindness of others who literally loved him into becoming real. He is so proud to contribute to helping others. Here are some events Chuck has been honored to participate and fund raise in.
9/15/07 - "Michelle O'Neill Foundation Annual Beach Volleyball Tournament" to benefit children with cancer. Long Beach, NY. Chuck was a longtime friend to Michelle O'Neill who died from cancer in 1996. Read her family's letter, below.
9/27 - Chuck attended the "25th Annual Macy's Pasport AIDS/HIV Benefit", Santa Monica, CA., hosted by Sharon Stone & Elizabeth Taylor.
10/13 - "The 1 in 8 Pink & White Fundraiser for Early Detection of Breast Cancer " South Beach, Miami. Bourget's Bike Works of Florida, High Performance Custom Motorcycles. Sponsored by Bacardi & Nikki Style Magazine.
10/13 - "Josh Jordon Barash Memorial Foundation" for University of Miami Sylvester Center for Cancer Treatment.
10/13 - "Up With Women", Chuck sponsored cancer survivor, Jenn Morgan and her team.in the Susan G. Komen Walk For The Cure in New Jersey.
10/23 7th Annual "Fashion for The Cure Benefit", Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, CA.
10/27 - "The Red Ribbon (Biker) Ride for Breast Cancer", Atlanta, GA. Host: 1in8 Mortorsports Series Against Breast Cancer & Caitlin Foundation.
10/28 – "7th Annual Los Angeles Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer", Chuck walked Chucks friends and fans.
11/10 - "Sophia's Hope Benefit Concert", Decatur, GA. Benefit for the Langford Family Foundation. Sophia is 3yo withbrain cancer. Learn more about Sophia at: www.carepages. (see: sophiasjourney)
Chuck is proud to donate to WeSpark.org in Sherman Oaks, CA., which provides a special healing environment for cancer patients and their families. Free of charge they offer support groups and various therapeutic and holistic programs designed to alleviate anxiety, fear, depression, isolation and evoke feelings of relaxation, safety and well-being.
Chuck is also pleased to sponsor walkers in various Cancer Walks around the country!
There are many exciting things developing that I can't wait to share with you as they come true.
FUNDRAISING