Auction Items That Make You Go "WOW"!!

This post serves dual purposes: 1) To give you an update on Jesse, and 2) To list out some of the amazing prizes for this weekends Pancake Breafast Raffle and Auction.

1) The family and I got to visit Andrea, Jesse, and Kalen on Sunday.  It was great to watch Kalen tear it up on the football field during his flag football game.  I'm telling you he's got some good linebacking instincts:  Hits the holes on run support, and is a tenacious cover guy on pass plays.  Combine that with his speed, and you've got yourself an All-American in the making!!  It was also good to go out to dinner with the family for Andrea's birthday.  Jesse is doing great.  He looks good.  He's got an amazing attitude.  Talk about an inspiration for me!!  The guy's outlook on life is awe-inspiring.

2) Speaking of awe-inspiring.  Check out this list of silent auction items for Saturday's benefit fundraiser.  If you aren't excited to attend this amazing event, then you may just not be a human :)  These items will make you go "WOW"!!

Silent Auction Packages:


1) Jewelry - Diamond and Ruby Necklace
2) “Kansas City Package” – One night stay at Marriot on Plaza, $75 gift certificate to Southmoreland Inn B&B, 4 KC Royals Tickets, $50 Gas Card from QT
3) “Branson Package” – 1 roundtrip air ticket to Branson on Branson Air Express, 2 night stay at Residence Inn, 2 tickets to Baldknobbers show, 2 tickets to Silver Dollar City Theme Park,
4) “Omaha Package” – One night stay at Harrah’s Casino, $100 in food at Harrah’s Eatery, 4 tickets to Omaha Zoo, $50 Gas Card from QT
5) Staycation Package #1 – One night stay at Drury Inn, $50 gift card to Gino’s, 2 free passes to Funny Bone
6) Staycation Package #2 – One night stay at Suites of 800 Locust (fireplace king suite)(includes breakfast), $50 gift card to Dos Rios, 4 tickets to Iowa Cubs game
7) Staycation Package #3 – One night stay at Holiday Inn Jordan Creek, Dinner for 2 at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, 2 tickets to Funny Bone
8) Staycation Package #4 – One night stay at Country Inn and Suites, 2 free 1 hour massages at Massage Envy, $50 Gift Card to one of 5 restaurants (Karma)
9) Staycation Package #5 ¬– One night stay at Hilton Garden Inn, $30 gift card to Texas Roadhouse, 1 hour free facial at All Body Basics Spa,
10) Iowa City Golf Staycation Package - Free round of golf for 2some at Finkbine Golf Course (Iowa City) plus a $50 gift card to Share Wine Bistro Restaurant (Iowa City, plus $50 gas card from BP
11) Airline Tickets – 2 roundtrip air tickets to anywhere in continental US on Air Tran Airlines
12) Artwork by Marilyn Tews Middleton– 2 pieces of artwork
13) Autographed Kyle Orton Football
14) Granite Vanity w/ sink
15) Drake Package – 2 tickets to football game, 2 tickets to women’s basketball game, autographed football by head coach, autographed basketball by head coach, Drake Wellness gear and items
16) UNI Package – 2 tickets to football game, 2 tickets to men’s basketball game, autographed football by head coach, autographed basketball by head coach
17) ISU Package – Autographed football by head coach, Autographed basketball by women’s head coach, Autographed basketball by men’s head coach, 1 year free subscription to cyclonereport.com
18) Iowa Package – Autographed football by head coach, Autographed basketball by men’s head coach
19) La Vida Loca Package – Wine Tasting Party
20) Wine Styles Package – Wine Tasting Party
21) I-Cubs Package - 6 premium tickets to Iowa Cubs game, 2 tickets to Iowa Barnstormers game, $25 gift card for Spaghetti works, autographed picture of Marlon Byrd (Chicago Cubs player)
22) I-Cubs Package - 6 premium tickets to Iowa Cubs game, 4 tickets to Iowa Energy Game, $25 Fong’s Gift Card
23) I-Cubs Package - 6 Premium tickets to Iowa Cubs game, 4 Tickets to Blank Park Zoo, Applebee’s Gift Card
24) I-Cubs Package - 6 Premium tickets to Iowa Cubs game, $50 gift card to Legends
25) Fitness Membership - 10 week membership to Kosama in Clive (need to get in hand still)
26) Fitness Membership - (2 drawings) – 3 month membership to Anytime Fitness
27) Fitness Membership - 4 month membership to Clive YMCA
28) Fitness Membership - 6 month membership to Aspen Athletic
29) Autographed Books - Entire set of autographed books by Patrick Lencioni
30) Autographed Books - A few autographed books by Bill Bryson
31) Basket – Proctor and Gamble Products Basket (x 2)
32) Basket – Longaberger Basket (Limited Edition) w/ Wine
33) Pool Que w/ case
34) Homemade basket with wine

Not to mention the 40 different raffle prizes being given away!!!  This event is going to ROCK!!!

Jesse's Staying Strong!

My apologies for the tardiness of this post.  I've been so consumed with planning our amazing pancake breakfast fundraiser, that I have failed to provide timely updates on Jesse and the family.  Here's where we're at:

Round four of the 6 round bout of chemo took place a couple weeks ago.  As has been the case throughout treatment; during the few days of chemo, Jesse is not doing much.  He laid around on the couch and watched his beloved Hawkeyes win another football game.  The chemicals are tough on the body.  During treatment, he's pretty down and dragging.

Things turn around pretty quickly in the 3 weeks between treatments.  Jesse is himself.  According to Andrea, "He's the same person he's always been when not on the pills."  He's the same old caring, fun-loving Jesse that we all know and love. 

Kalen, (his 7 year old son) has started flag football, and he wants to be the star QB.  Dad (aka Jesse) is a proud papa and has been working hard with Kalen in the backyard.  He says Kalen has a pretty good arm on him.

So, how about the prognosis, you ask?  Well, only time will tell at this point.  The doctors have said that they won't know much until after all of the chemo treatments.  My assumption is that they will do another MRI at that time to see how things are going.

That's all we have for now.  We're busy making final preperations for the Jesse Haworth Benefit Pancake Breakfast, on October 2nd, 2010 from 8am - noon at the Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Des Moines, IA.   I hope you all will be able to attend and help us raise money to cover Jesse's medical bills.  As I'm sure many of you have been touched by cancer already, the medical bills can really start to pile on.

Have a good weekend.....and check out our flyer!  And check out the awesome Raffle and Auction Prizes!!

Awesome Raffle / Auction Items

I'm floored!  I've been humbled by everyone's generosity and willingness to help build an amazing fundraiser.  This pancake breakfast will be the "can't miss event of the year."

We've got some sweet raffle and auction items starting to roll in:

• Iowa Cubs Tickets
• UNI Football and Basketball Tickets
• Gift Certificates to some great restaurants
• 1 night stay at a couple local hotels
• Free rounds of golf at Jester Park and Finkbine
• 2 airline tickets to about anywhere in the US aboard Air Tran

And that's just the tip of the iceberg folks.  I'm saving some of the real "WOW" prizes a secret.  You'll have to join us October 2nd to find out!!

Spread the word......This is going to be an AMAZING Fundraiser!!!

Benefit Fundraiser is Set!!

The "Jesse Haworth Benefit" Pancake Breakfast is set! 

Jesse Haworth Benefit Pancake Breakfast

When: Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

Time: 8am - Noon

Where: Meredith Drive Reformed Church
5128 Meredith Drive
Des Moines, IA 50310

What: Benefit Fundraiser for Jesse Haworth

Cost: $5.00 per person (or freewill donation)

What you get:


1) All you can eat pancakes, sausage links, drinks!!


2) Great Fellowship!

Fun Additions:

1) Raffle Drawings and/or Silent Auction for some great items!

Note: more information on raffle and silent auction to follow.....stay tuned......

Help Wanted...no, NEEDED!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Planning for the Pancake Breakfast is starting to roll pretty good.  The event is going to be on October 2nd at Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Des Moines, IA.  I'll be confirming plans with the Johnston Kiwanis Club next Tuesday (08/17/10) to help with making and serving the pancakes.  I'm also in the process of trying to get food donated, and I've begun contacting various orgainzations and businesses about donating items for a Raffle and/or Auction.  THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP!!

Please email me (esppoker@msn.com) !!  I need help brainstorming on who to contact for donations (which organizations/businesses).  Better yet, I would love it if any of you had the initiative to contact a few places to solicit donated goods or services for a raflle / auction.  Just shoot me an email with who you are contacting so we don't duplicate our efforts.  Or, you can leave a comment on this post with your suggestions (just click on "comments").

I know you are all well connected, so I'm looking for you to come up with some GREAT ideas, as well as some GREAT donated goods and services.

Keep checking back for updates..........

Fundraiser This Fall

Andrea and I are currently working on a fundraiser for Jesse this fall. We are looking to have a “Pancake Breakfast Benefit” on Saturday, October 2nd in the Des Moines, Iowa area. This benefit will be used to help raise money for Jesse and his family as they begin to take on excessive medical bills. All proceeds from the benefit will be put into a fund at Hills Bank in Iowa City. Those proceeds will only be used for medical bills, with any excess money being donated to the American Cancer Society.


We’re hoping this will be a fun, and memorable event. We are closing in on securing a facility for the event, as well as a crew to make and serve pancakes (details available in the next day or so). We would be open to any suggestions or outside help on securing donated breakfast items (i.e. pancake batter, sausage links, milk, juice, and coffee). We’ll also be working on getting donated goods and services from various organizations so we can hold a raffle (or even a silent auction), in order to give a little back to those that attend. If you have any connections, or know of any companies/organizations that would be willing to donate something for a raffle, please let me know (esppoker@msn.com)

This is going to be an awesome event, and we’d love for you to be there to support Jesse. Check back here often as plans come together. I’ll be providing more details once they are available. In the meantime, spread the word about this great event: The Jesse Haworth Benefit Pancake Breakfast on October 2nd, 2010.

Thank you all for your great support.

- Eric Peterson


note: picture courtesy of www.phoodie.info

Round 2 of the 6 Round Event!

Jesse had round 2 of his chemo last weekend. The second time through was a little rougher, as the doctors decided to up his dose. Jesse felt worse than he did the first time through and it showed. He spent a lot of time on the couch. However, now Jesse is feeling loads better. He’s still maintaining a positive attitude and his hair is starting to slowly grow back (it had been falling out from radiation and first dose of chemo). Andrea has noted that he’s upbeat about his new “peach fuzz”.

Andrea continues to stay strong and has been an amazing support system for both Jesse and Kalen. I ask that you continue to pray for these three as they continue to attack life with perseverance and a positive attitude.

Stay tuned to the blog for further updates. Round 3 of chemo will take place starting Aug 8th, so ther will definitely be another update by then.

Also, stay tuned to a great fundraiser that we’ll be planning and hosting sometime in the fall. We’re currently looking at a weekend in October. More to come…….