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News: Top Stories JBA pushes to promote town and its businessesMarch 31, 2010 by Norma B. Dennis Year-round events take the place of Jamestown Day The Jamestown Business Association, which was started about 1993, is putting a new emphasis on technology to support the town and its businesses by using its Web site to market Jamestown as a destination location. The group hired a professional webmaster to redesign its site, creating a platform for members to be visible and marketed and the opportunity for others to see what Jamestown has to offer in the way of entertainment, cultural events, shopping and eating. Vickie Capes of Spin A Web Design, Inc. and creator of the new JBA Web site, spoke to members at their March 25 meeting to explain how the new site will function. |
The website for gala benefit mentioned below was donated by Spin A Web Designs, Inc. What a difference a website can make! The Edwards family raised $13,522.00 through online ticket purchases and online donations for The Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Erin’s
Victory Dance
Teenager
will host gala fundraiser in memory of sister
BY
JIMMY TOMLIN
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
THOMASVILLE – Mary Beth Browning decided to do something extra-sweet for
her “Sweet 16th” birthday.
The Thomasville teenager, a 10th-grader at High Point Christian Academy, came
up with the idea of a gala fundraiser for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, in
memory of her 10-year-old sister, Erin, who attended the camp just months before
she died from Ewing’s sarcoma on Nov. 1, 2004. “Erin’s Victory Dance: A Night
Under the Stars,” scheduled for Oct. 14 at the elegant Empire Room in downtown
Greensboro, will feature entertainment by North Carolina “American Idol”
finalist Bucky Covington, a live auction of donated items, dancing and hors
d’oeuvres, and even children’s activities.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp in
Randleman, a camp for children with chronic medical conditions or serious
illnesses. The camp provides lifechanging camping experiences that are
exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment.
“Mary Beth was kind of bummed out, because she had to celebrate her sweet 16th
birthday without her sweet sister, because they were so close,” says the girls’
mother, Laurie Edwards. “So she decided she wanted to come up with something
special for her birthday.”
Nothing seemed quite right, until Mary Beth hit on the idea of a fundraiser
for Erin’s favorite camp, Victory Junction.
Erin was one of the inaugural campers during the week of July 11, 2004, which
was the week designated for cancer patients and which was only a few months
before Erin’s death.
“It was very hard to let her go away for a week, but Erin was determined that
no one was going to stand in her way when it came to having fun,” recalls Erin’s
stepfather, Joey Edwards.
And boy, did she have a blast.
“The staff could not have taken better care of Erin,” Laurie Edwards says.
“They treated all the kids like superstars, and Erin absolutely loved it.”
In addition to the entertainment for the evening, the fundraiser will feature
a live auction that will include, among other donated items, two $400 gift
baskets from Omega Sports (one with a tennis theme, the other with a golf
theme); a lasersigned Carolina Panthers football; a limited-edition Carolina
Panthers golf putter; and a package of Carolina Hurricanes tickets.
Mary Beth hopes to have 500 guests at the gala, and her fundraising goal for
the evening is $111,000. The number comes from the date that Erin died – Nov. 1,
or 11/1.
“We’re opening it up to the whole community – it should be a lot of fun,”
Laurie Edwards says
It was a great evening. Bucky Covington, American Idol's more adored contestants was the hit of the evening. He and his talented band kept the more than 180 guests on their feet with Southern Rock classics.
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| Bucky Covington & Vickie Capes |
Bucky sings a ballad |
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Bucky Covington Fans |
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Follow Up: Posted on Tue, Oct. 17, 2006
President Bush to visit Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp
DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
President George W. Bush is scheduled a Wednesday visit to the Victory Junction Gang Camp founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his family.
"Pattie and I are honored to have President Bush come visit," Petty said. "This is exciting for us and we are truly humbled."
Children with serious illnesses between the ages of 7 and 15 come to the camp near Randleman for activities including horseback riding, boating and fishing and arts and crafts as well as NASCAR related programs.
"So many NASCAR drivers, officials and fans have poured their hearts and souls into helping the camp grow," Petty said. "President Bush visiting the camp is a great reward for everyone’s dedication and an incredible opportunity for him to bring awareness to the plight of a chronically ill child.
"This visit will enable the President to see how the camp provides a life changing experience to the children and their families free of charge. I can’t thank the President enough for taking time to come. I hope this makes every kid and parent that has visited the camp very proud."
October 16, 2005
Special Section: Job Talk
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Cancer patient uses experience to help
November 9, 2005
by Norma B. Dennis
When Aggie
Ferguson was diagnosed with the latter stage of level-two breast cancer, her
first reaction was anger.
“Now I feel this was put in my path for a reason,”
Ferguson said.
Ferguson has taken what she learned while going
through therapy and is using it to help others facing the same problem. The
37-year-old Jamestown resident has started making gift baskets tailored to the
special needs of cancer patients.
Although usually a positive person, dealing with
cancer has not been easy. The disease caught her by surprise. There was nothing
in her lifestyle, such as family history or other risk factors, to suggest she
was vulnerable to the condition. Ferguson underwent surgery, eight chemotherapy
sessions in a 16-week period and daily radiation each Monday - Friday for over
six weeks.
“I could feel the struggle internally,” she admits.
Her faith in God and the support of her husband, two
children and good friend Vickie Capes have helped her through the past year.
“When we get together, we laugh a lot,” Capes said.
When starting her therapy, Ferguson was told there
were things she would need - a calendar to keep track of appointments, a pen,
unscented lotion and lip balm, mint tea to help with nausea.
“I did not feel like going out to shop, but I had to,”
she said.
Toward the end of her treatment, Ferguson had a burst
of creative energy and began to think about ways she could help other cancer
patients cope. The result was Baskets Full of Blessings, gifts for those who
have just been diagnosed or are starting treatment. The baskets include both
practical and inspirational items, such as positive music and readings, angel
pins and note paper. They are a nice way family members or friends can encourage
a cancer patient.
“The baskets say everything you feel that you are
having trouble saying,” Capes said. “They show you care and take the focus, for
the moment, off the big issue.”
“They give the gift of comfort is my tag line,”
Ferguson said.
When Ferguson first shared the basket idea with Capes,
who has a business creating web sites, her friend offered to create a site for
Ferguson.
“I wanted her to be successful and to be able to reach
out beyond Jamestown,” Capes said. “Aggie is offering a wonderful service, but
it is also a business and I wanted to be sure she is reaching the best target
market.”
As she began making baskets, Ferguson's church family
at Hayworth Wesleyan offered financial support for her ministry.
“When I started, my focus was to help others have
comfort as they were going along the path I have gone on,” Ferguson said. “It
has developed into a business.”
Ferguson has been asked to make inspirational talks at
her church and The Fitness Center at High Point Regional Hospital, as well as do
radio interviews. She was recently asked to head a breast cancer support group
for women under 40 at the High Point Regional Cancer Center.
“A portion of the sale of each basket I make goes to
the High Point Regional Hospital Cancer Center,” Ferguson said. “I would never
have dreamed of doing this without giving back to the Cancer Center. The doctors
and nurses have been very supportive of me. I made bonds there I will never
forget.”
Ferguson makes several standard baskets, but has
learned some people like to select the items that go into them.
“I can customize them to someone's specific needs,”
she said. “They can be humorous, functional and inspirational. I have a faith
and that is reflected in the basket if it is what a customer wants.”
Although the baskets began mainly as a ministry to
cancer patients, so many people have asked Ferguson to make other types of
baskets, such as wedding, baby, etc., that the business now includes
all-occasion baskets also.
“I can see Aggie's business expanding until she has to
hire help,” Capes said smiling. As her kids grow, this will be a business she
can do from 9 - 5.
“I enjoy what I do,” Ferguson admits. “The baskets are
my passion