Austin is a city with a culture of giving back and Austin Moms Blog is certainly no different. We try to give back to our community when we can and support charities by hosting events like the upcoming “Block Party” at Kendra Scott. The Block Party benefits a charity that is dear to my heart, as I spent 3 of my best years on the Hematology/Oncology unit at Dell Children’s! The Block Party benefits Buck’s Barn!
Who is Buck?
Buck Schroeter is a patient I knew during my time as a Child Life Specialist at Dell Children’s Medical Center, although when Buck was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), we were still at the Children’s Hospital of Austin. AML is a common form of leukemia, but also one of the most severe, and has to be treated more aggressively than other forms of leukemia. Often chemotherapy, radiation, and even bone marrow transplants are used to fight the cancer. All forms of treatment are extremely taxing and tiring on the body, even fatal in about half the cases. Luckily, Buck was a tough kid with a lot of heart and a lot of fight in him and he kicked cancer’s butt!!
What is Buck’s Barn?
Even though Buck was in and out of hospitals all year long fighting the cancer, he felt one of the worst parts was being in the hospital during Christmas time and not being able to shop for his family. That’s why Buck created Buck’s Barn. He, the Schroeter family, and their friends collect gifts all year long and then allow the patients of the hospital to attend Buck’s Barn at the hospital and “shop” for their family members for free! Last year they collected more than 2000 gifts and were able to serve over 300 families in the hospital. This is why I miss working at the hospital; the selfless nature of these kids is unmatched!
Why?
The families in the hospital are not only dealing with their child’s illness, which is tragic enough, but they’re dealing with job loss due to too much time away, marital struggles from grief and time apart, siblings feeling neglected or ignored, medical bills piling up at home, and loneliness being away from friends. Being able to take a break from all of that, shop for friends and family members without a care in the world, and enjoying the holiday spirit together is what Buck’s Barn is all about.
Buck doesn’t like to leave anyone out and his dad tells me they get a lot of donations for toddlers and preschool aged kids, but they’re in need of gifts for older siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. All donations must be new and unopened.
Gift ideas may include:
- Board Games
- Golf balls
- Video games
- DVDS
- CDs
- Coffee mugs
- Candles
- Watches
- Shave kits
- Books
- Calendars
- Clothes
- Decorative items
- Kitchen appliances
- Bath kits and bath products
- Spa certificates
- Gift cards
- Stuffed animals
- Picture frames
- Movie tickets
- Scrapbook materials
- Blankets
- Blocks, legos
- Dolls
- Jewelry
- Puzzles
Austin Moms Blog will give guests of the Block Party additional raffle tickets for the gifts they bring to donate to Buck’s Barn.
If you were unable to purchase a ticket to the Block Party, we still invite you to participate in the fundraising by bringing by a gift to donate and receiving raffle tickets to participate in the fabulous giveaways that evening.
***Note: There will be a ticket fee at the door not to include swag***
What could you win?
3 statement necklaces courtesy of Kendra Scott!
2 pair of jersey tie boot cuffs from Grace and Lace
$75 gift card to Wet Salon
$299 for a FULL SET of lashes at Dolce Blu
Family Night movie package by Gourmet by Numbers
Lulabu Nursing Shirt
Skip Hop diaper bag and Chewbeads from Special Addition
Bridal Bag by Savvy Root filled with Kismet Cosmetics
Travel Port-aCrib from Phil&Teds
$100 gift card to Moonshine Patio & Grill
A CASE of White Hat Rum
$50 gift certificate to Undercover Mama
Date Night Out (4 hours of childcare provided by Nanny Poppinz)
$50 gift card to Hopdoddy Burgers
Pedicure Party at Embellish Nails
$500 private shopping party to Underwear
Buck is in college now and he won’t be able to attend the Block Party to accept donations, but his family will be there in his absence.
All gifts donated at the Block Party will be gifted to kids and their families at Buck’s Barn, Dec. 6 7:30-2pm at Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Austin Moms Blog contributors will be volunteering that day to help pass out your kind donations.
Which fabulous giveaway do you have your eye on?
