• What: 24th Annual Wild Game Feast
• Where:
• When: Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm
• Why: Charity event to benefit the Aiming for a Cure Foundation

Come out and enjoy your favorite wild game prepared in a variety of delicious ways! Game includes wild turkey, pheasant, goose, elk, alligator, venison, elk, rabbit, snapping turtle and many varieties of fish.

Article originally appeared in the December 13, 2011 edition of the Central City Linn News-Letter newspaper.

CENTER POINT – This holiday season, most families will enjoy the luxury of a warm house, gifts under the tree, and food on the table. There are some families, however, that will spend the holidays at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. During the season of giving, the Aiming For A Cure Foundation strives to further help children being treated for cancer and the families who support them.

Jodie and Steve Ries (far left and far right), founders of Aiming for a Cure, are all smiles as they take the children on their shopping spree.

Recently, a few children chosen by the Aiming For A Cure staff headed to Wal-Mart and bought $5,000 worth of toys for the children’s cancer ward. The toys will stay on the floor where all the children undergoing cancer treatment are housed in the hospital.

Local farmer Jerry Squires knows the importance of giving back to the community and chose Aiming For A Cure Foundation when he was given the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit organization through America’s Farmers Grow Communities!, sponsored by Monsanto Fund. The $2,500 donation was included in the $190,000 check that was presented to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital on May 18, 2011. The money will go toward research and is also used to support any child who is treated for cancer in the UI Children’s Hospital.

“I think it’s absolutely tremendous that a huge corporation like Monsanto is giving money to organizations like Aiming For A Cure Foundation in the farmer’s name. The donation goes a lot farther because it is given locally,” said David Tatman, Aiming For A Cure vice president. “In the last eight years, we have raised more than $1,000,000 with 100 percent of proceeds going straight to the cause.”

The mission of Aiming For A Cure Foundation is to raise funds to benefit pediatric oncology patients and families served by the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Their goal is to improve the quality of care and the quality of life for the children through the funding of research and patient care. Tatman knows Jerry and wife Sherri Squires personally, as Sherri has previously gone through cancer treatment.

For a rural community, $2,500 can go a long way in providing organizations, such as Aiming For A Cure Foundation, with the funds they need to help their communities. Visit www.growcommunities.com to learn more about America’s Farmers Grow Communities. The program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to invest in farm communities in order to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society.

This December, farmers in 1,245 counties across 39 states will be awarded a $2,500 donation, which they can give to any nonprofit organization in their county. The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

Benjamin Joseph Ries was born to Steve and Jodie Ries on October 4, 1992. He was a good-natured and happy kid with normal boy interests. Ben had a love for baseball and hunting and was a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. Overall, Ben was a pretty typical kid with a normal family life.

While in the 1^st Grade, though, Ben’s typical life changed dramatically. That was the year Ben was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor. As he battled cancer, Ben left a lasting impression on the people around him with his positive spirit. From his classmates to his fellow patients, Ben often seemed much more worried about others than for himself. In spending so much time at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, Ben became increasingly concerned about other pediatric cancer patients and their families.

With Ben as an inspiration, the Ries family started the Aiming for a Cure (AFAC) Foundation in 2004 as a way to fulfill Ben’s desire to help his fellow cancer patients. To honor Ben’s love of hunting dogs, they conceived an annual benefit that would bring together celebrities, dogs and bird hunters at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside, IA. Through the incredible passion and support of many friends and volunteers, Aiming for a Cure became an instant success.

On June 1, 2005, after a courageous five year battle with cancer, Ben went to be with the Lord. While his physical time on earth came to an end far too soon, his spirit continues to live on and provide a positive impact on the lives of many people through the Aiming for a Cure Foundation.

Now in its 8^th year, the Aiming for a Cure Foundation has raised more than a million dollars to support cancer patients and their families at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Because the Foundation is completely run by volunteers, it has virtually no overhead and is able to dedicate all contributions directly to the Mission of helping children and their families.

Through the addition of new sponsors and additional events, the reach and contributions to the Foundation continue to grow. For those helped by the Aiming for a Cure Foundation’s efforts, Ben’s life and his compassion for others was no accident and no coincidence. Although Ben has now moved on to a better place, his legacy remains and continues to provide hope and comfort for others through the Foundation he inspired.

Front row: Katlin Hora, Holly Dresselhaus, Katie Seaton, Kayla Schneider, Mariah Freel, and Katilin Hawkins. Middle row: Bridget Murphy, Jordan Peterson, Alison Sojka, Haili Hunter, Ashley Stout (assistant coach), Ryan Giannini, Carrie Wieland (head coach), Morgan Fisher, Taylor Vonhamme, and Taylor McDole. Back row: Jordan Rath, Courtnee Hahn, Katie Springer, Bailey Walsh, Kelsey Doreo, Morgan Craig, Paige Wieland, and Cassie Vazquez.

Not pictured: Anna Walker and event chairs, Teri Fisher and Trisha Walsh.

Winchester Ammunition has congratulated the Aiming For A Cure Foundation on reaching the $1 million milestone during its recent fundraising event held at Riverside Highland Hideaway Hunt Club in Iowa City, Iowa.

“It’s important to our company and our industry to support organizations like the Aiming For A Cure Foundation,” said Brett Flaugher, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales for Winchester Ammunition. “Reaching $1 million is quite an accomplishment, and we congratulate everyone involved with the event on a job well done. Winchester is proud to support this group in their efforts to raise money for such a worthy cause.”

The Aiming For A Cure Foundation is a 501c3 organization designed to raise funds to benefit pediatric oncology patients and families served by the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.

To help raise money and awareness, an annual banquet, along with a shooting and hunting event, is held to benefit these families. Since the program’s inception in 2003, Winchester Ammunition has supported the Aiming For A Cure Foundation by donating the ammunition used by all of the participants.

To learn more about Winchester Ammunition, visit www.winchester.com.

10K/5K Fun Run & 2.5K Walk

August 27th, 2011

Pleasant Creek State Park – Palo, IA

The 2011 Aiming For A Cure Fun Run/Walk was a wondeful day & great success!!! Approximately 250 gathered at Pleasant Creek State Park in Palo for a morning walk/run. Thank you to all of our sponsors, participants, volunteers, & donors for help making this year’s event a success!!!  We’ve listed the event results below.

10K Results – Alphabetically Listed

Darby Bonwell                   W 30-39                0:59’10 50

Devin Boyer                       M 20-29                0:57’00 78

John Bradley                      M 40-49                0:51’12 49

Julie Bradley                      W 40-49                0:52’59 56

Lisa Diers                             W 30-39                0:47’33 07

Cal Eldred                            M 40-49                0:53’45 12

Jeff Engen                           M 30-39                0:40’10 45

Doug Fishwild                    M 30-39                0:48’31 71

Lisa Flaherty                      W 40-49                1:02’45 77

Karla Godfrey                    W 40-49                0:53’00 40

John Hall                             M 40-49                0:43’44 32

Jamie Haughenbury       W 30-39                1:00’21 74

Mark Ironside                     M 30-39                0:39’27 55

Chelsy Kemmet                 W 20-29                0:52’49 85

Kristi Lutz                           W 20-29                1:01’03 51

Zach Paulson                      M 20-29                0:45’30 83

Mackenzie Pedersen         W 30-39                0:54’17 15

Shawn Pierce                     W 30-39                1:02’58 74

Hank Raue                          M 30-39                1:00’59 49

Vanessa Raue                    W 30-39                0:55’40 93

Darcy Ries                          W 30-39                1:01’00 88

steve rumelhart               M 50-59                0:45’36 70

Luke Turner                      M 40-49                0:45’22 73

Russell Wyse                      M 40-49                0:47’57 86

Phil Young                         M 20-29                0:35’59 88

5K Results – Alphabetically Listed

Cliff Anderson                   M 40-49                0:27’07 35

Danielle Anderson           W 20-29                0:35’15 01

Jennifer Anderson           W 40-49                0:36’03 64

Mickala Anderson            W 30-39                0:43’35 99

Jessica Becker                                                    0:35’48 69

Vernon Beninga                M 60+                   0:37’18 84

brian bishop                       M 20-29                0:28’45 40

Deb Bowers                         W 40-49                0:32’19 35

Blake Boyer                         M 50-59                0:24’15 41

Russ Brandt                        M 40-49                0:30’04 41

Elizabeth Brandt               W 40-49                0:37’53 17

Chad Bryant                       Y 14U (B)              0:26’26 87

James Bryant                     M 40-49                0:26’47 90

Lisa Burlage                        W 40-49                0:37’42 18

Erin Burr                             W 20-29                0:44’00 07

Randy Burr                         M 20-29                0:45’29 12

marty cannon                    M 30-39                0:38’28 54

Justin Collum                     M 30-39                0:28’03 70

Jena Conway                      W 20-29                0:25’15 04

Manders Dawn                   W 40-49                0:25’41 75

Laura Dawson                    W 40-49                0:30’41 80

Tracy Dawson                    M 30-39                0:38’28 22

Beth Deutmeyer                W 20-29                0:27’56 76

Eric Engelmann                 M 30-39                0:37’17 48

Tim Fannin                          M 40-49                0:28’51 16

Jana Grimm                        W 30-39                0:28’33 84

Erika Hall                              W 40-49                0:40’17 23

Sullivan Hall                        Y 14U (B)              0:40’17 95

Cade Haughenbury            Y 14U (B)              0:29’17 91

Luke Haughenbury            M 30-39                0:29’34 25

kara honn                              W 20-29                0:36’05 91

Stephanie Howard              W 30-39                0:36’12 97

Scott Kaas                              M 30-39                0:35’13 64

Kassie Lawrence                  W 20-29                0:29’54 52

Katy Levon                           W 20-29                0:36’13 39

Dan Lubben                          M 40-49                0:22’41 56

Judy Lubben                        W 40-49                0:38’42 30

Logan Manders                    Y 15-19 (B)           0:26’04 01

Tay Manders                        Y 15-19 (G)           0:28’26 22

Kristen Marion                    W 30-39                0:34’58 63

amy mcdonnell                  W 40-49                0:34’36 22

will mcdonnell                    Y 14U (B)              0:36’02 03

maggie mcdonnell             Y 14U (G)             0:42’13 30

gary mcdonnell                 M 40-49                0:42’13 83

Kortney McKenna            W 30-39                0:34’45 35

Eric McKenna                    M 20-29                0:35’04 00

Kyle Mente                         M 30-39                0:22’54 37

Jessica Mente                    W 20-29                0:27’53 16

Emily Mickelson                                               0:45’43 64

Scott Millikin                     M 40-49               0:25’54 36

Austin Neighbor               Y 14U (B)             0:25’38 86

Kristin Neighbor               W 40-49              0:28’58 80

Allyssa Neighbor              W 20-29              0:29’46 85

Scott Neighbor                  M 40-49               0:29’47 55

Christine Noggle              W 40-49               0:36’00 57

Amanda Norton               W 20-29               0:43’59 69

Colleen Packard                W 20-29               0:43’31 80

Jenelle Paulson                 W 20-29               0:36’55 33

Jill Pearson                        W 30-39               0:30’42 85

Laurie Plante                    W 40-49                0:29’46 56

gene ries                             M 30-39                0:29’15 30

Steve Ries                           M 40-49                0:31’31 64

madison ries                      Y 14U (G)             0:35’38 84

kate ries                              W 30-39               0:35’49 85

Mark Roseberry                M 40-49               0:21’45 64

Katie Sackett                     W 20-29               0:36’49 49

Peggy Schilling                W 40-49                0:34’54 67

Jerome Schmidt               M 40-49                0:30’11 92

Jaalah Schmidt                Y 14U (G)              0:30’53 77

Jamie Schmidt                 W 30-39                0:35’37 76

Peter Schmitt                    M 20-29                0:29’07 49

kevin schmitt                    M 50-59                0:30’42 05

Libbey Schmitt                 W 20-29                0:31’13 06

Marc Siebrecht                 M 20-29                0:30’12 47

kyle smith                          M 20-29                0:23’40 16

Tracey Smith                    W 30-39                0:26’27:58

benjamin tashner            M 20-29                0:24’50 92

Jeff Tronvold                     M 40-49                0:26’20 17

Chrissy Vandersee           W 30-39                0:32’26 32

stephanie walton                                              0:38’55 47

mason walton                                                    0:38’58 65

andrew walton                                                  0:45’43 23

sarah walton

amber wolrab                    W 20-29               0:28’34 55

Jed Wyse                             Y 14U (B)             0:25’07 01

brenda wyse                       W 40-49              0:28’34 22

Jamie Zuidema                  W 20-29              0:30’13 62

A BIG Thank You to All of this years’ Event Sponsors!

Sheldrup Blades – Quaker Oats – Lisa Stick, LMT – Stineman Family – Cousins Family – Carlton Tronvold – Joensys, Center Point – Climate Engineers – Scheels

Alburnett High School Graduating Senior Jordan Neighbor with Ben's Parents, Steve and Jodie Ries

ALBURNETT – The 44 members of the Alburnett High School class of 2011 honored a boy who’d have been the 45th if childhood cancer had not ended his life in sixth grade.

Ben Ries, who faced cancer with cheerful optimism and a will to help other sick children, taught his classmates how to live, said Jordan Neighbor at Sunday’s graduation ceremony at the high school.

Neighbor described his friend as “a strong, selfless individual who lived day by day, not knowing what was in store for him, but always trying to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Ben’s legacy will live on in the memory of his classmates, said Neighbor, one of five graduating seniors who presented a check for $35,240.98 to Aiming for a Cure, the charitable foundation Ben helped his family establish before his death in June 2005.

The senior class raised the funds through Coins for a Cure, a yearlong campaign that included a school danceathon.

The seniors also commissioned a painting, which they presented to Ben’s parents, Steve and Jodie Ries, at Sunday’s graduation ceremony.

The painting – “Hunting Buddies” by well-known wildlife artist Greg Bordignon of rural Alburnett – depicts Ben and two of his classmates, Neighbor and Clint Francois, engaged in one of their favorite activities, hunting pheasants with one of Ben’s beloved German shorthaired pointers.

Alburnett High School Graduating Senior Codi Stick gets emotional durning a presentation for classmate Ben Reis during Alburnett’s Graduation ceremony Sunday May 15, 2011. Reis, who passed away from cancer in 2005, would have been graduating with the class of 2011. In his honor, students raised more then $30,000 for the Aiming for a Cure Foundation and surprised his family with a painting by wildlife artist Greg Bordignon. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)

Bordignon said he met a year ago with about 10 of Ben’s classmates to get their ideas for the painting, which was a surprise for Ben’s parents.

Ben’s love of dogs and hunting was the inspiration for Aiming for a Cure, which integrates those passions into an annual fund-raiser that in eight years has raised well more than $1 million to support cancer patients and their families at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.

Steve Ries thanked the class of 2011 for what he said was the largest single contribution ever received by Aiming for a Cure and encouraged the members to “keep your priorities as they were taught to you.”

Jodie Ries said her son was proud to be a member of the class and said he is “smiling down on you today for the help your gift will bring to patients at Children’s Hospital.”

“We knew when you started kindergarten you were an incredible class,” she said.

Deb Berg, coordinator of the Coins For a Cure fundraiser, said Ben believed in miracles and that his classmates and many others believed in Ben.

“You will see miracles looking back at you when you visit with Children’s Hospital patients,” she said.

Alburnett High School Graduating Senior Codi Stick gets emotional during a presentation for classmate Ben Ries