the vosberg view: Sled-A-Thon 2009

WOW! It has actually been kind of hard for me to sit down and write this post. Partially because the week since has been a bit crazy, but partially because it is hard for me to know how to put into words what kind of day we had on February 7th. But I will try...

Here is the set up for the day (the letter we sent out in the invite):

Greetings Family and Friends!

Oh how the time flies!!
30 years to be exact for Heath!!

Our tradition of celebrating February 4th birthdays in our family has become being with family and friends to celebrate through food, fun and giving back. Again, this last year has been filled with many blessings and in a time that is so uncertain around us, we are so very
thankful. To continue in our tradition of giving back with you:
2007: Purchasing a cow to provide economic stability to a village in Africa
2008: Filling up the needs for games at the Ronald McDonald House

In 2009 we have an opportunity to serve somebody in our inner circle. Many of you have met Noel and Kat over the years. Noel and I became friends through a comp handwriting analysis assignment the last week of the semester back in ‘01 at UMD. The 3 of us became good friends in the beginning and when Noel brought Kat home with him after AmeriCorp, we were thrilled by his new found girlfriend (future wife). The 4 of us have experienced A LOT of life together over the last 8 years. This is why it saddened us to get the news from Kat regarding Warren, Noel’s father growing up. He was recently diagnosed with Bone Marrow Cancer Stage 2. The realities regarding treatment and pain are grim which will make an impact on Warren’s ability to work. They are in a situation that needs love and funds and we are in a situation that needed an opportunity to give back to celebrate birthdays.

Please join us this year in SLED-A-THON 2009 to help raise money for Warren and his family. We really do feel so fortunate for all that we have and would love it that if you felt compelled to give for birthdays, you would give to the SLED-A-THON 2009. We plan on doing this as such: You make a pledge (for ex. $1.00) for every time Heath and Brevin go down the sledding hill. IT IS A BIG HILL!! This is meant for us to all be kids again, have fun, celebrate Heath and Brevin and give to a dear friend.

Warren was thrilled to learn of this news and you can learn more about him and his journey at www.savewarrenborst.wordpress.com/.

We look forward to spending this afternoon together in laughter and fun!

Warren and Chris Borst

Emma and Brevin

So as we prepped for February 7th, it was becoming extremely clear that people were moved and truly wanting to help Warren and his family. I received donations and pledges leading up to the party from people that couldn't come. Caribou was willing to donate coffee/hot chocolate items for the sledding piece. Friends helped out watching Brevin while we prepped. My brother David donated 2 of the 3 foot long subs from Subway for our main dish. Heath and I were slightly overwhelmed by the generosity and the day hadn't even happened yet.

On that Saturday 40 people came to celebrate with Heath and Brevin as they turned 30 and 3! It was a FULL HOUSE! Some have been around for Vosberg celebrations in the past so they reconnected with each other. Others are new additions in the last year so it was fun to introduce and connect. Warren and Chris were able to be there to celebrate with us too! My favorite moment of the day was all of us around Heath and Brevin lighting the candles and I said, "Brevin are you so excited?" He looked around making eye contact and said, "EVERYBODY I AM SO EXCITED!" In that moment, it was so apparent that Brevin truly does treasure the people in his life SO MUCH!

As the pledge board filled up, Heath knew he had to deliver on the sledding! He was aiming for 25 sleds within an hour time frame. We bundled up and caravaned to Snail Lake, the sun was shining and the hill was fast! The next hour was priceless: Watching Heath charge forward up and down that hill with a huge smile, seeing all the adults sled (some for the first time in 20 years!) and belly laugh with the kids and seeing Brev sled down the hill with all of his family and friends. The hour ended and Heath had done 28 times down the hill!!!! WAHOO!!!

With a solid hour of sledding under our belts, the party was coming to an end. We finished off the last coffee, gathered the pledge checks and said good-byes. We headed home and did some calculating...with what we had pledged already we had raised a solid $700.00!!! Our mouths dropped to the floor. We were stunned. We knew that our family and friends had seemed to step up, but when the total amount came together from a birthday party?!?! WOW! Heath and I knew in that moment that we had been used by God to get people on board in their hearts to give generously. God showed up in a BIG way that day-a day we in The Vosberg Family will never forget.

We have since gathered a few last pledges which has brought our final check to Warren to be $1000.00!!! WOW! WOW! WOW! I know that when it comes to lost wages and medical costs, this could seem like a drop in the bucket, but I am not going to lie...I really thought that we would raise a couple of hundred dollars so to be able to give him a check this size...I am truly amazed!!!

So thank you to those that pledged and donated! This experience has made us SUPER excited to continue forward with birthday celebrations and mobilizing new ways to give back. Thank you again as well for helping us teach Brevin such a valuable life lesson about giving. He is learning A LOT through watching you "help our friend Warren with food and a house." Your generosity moved our own family and I know it has worked in the hearts of the Borst-Peterson Family as well-THANK YOU!!!