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Caring Choices Recreation And Dreams (R.A.D.)
for Kids with Cancer

• 

  What is R.A.D.?

  
   

  
  Recreation and Dreams for Kids with Cancer (R.A.D.)  is a unique program supporting families where children and or young adults have been diagnosed with cancer.

  R.A.D.'s Mission & Philosopy
  
  The Mission of the program is to provide peer support, social services, mentoring and recreational events, meeting the needs of these families. We welcome families in treatment, recovery and in remission.
   

  Our Philosophy is:
   

  • To create friendship and resources needed to deal with cancer.

   

  • To escape rigors of cancer treatment for a day of adventure & FUN.

   

  • To laugh, relax, and reconnect.

   

  • Enjoy family time with a day off from the daily routine.

   

  • Making the experience worry free for families.

   

  • Enjoying the events at NO COST to families.

   

• How is R.A.D. funded?

  R.A.D. is a program of Caring Choices which is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. R.A.D. activities are funded by the generosity of individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations to help provide the funds necessary to support our programs.

  Donations

  We invite your participation in joining our commitment to provide children and or young adults with cancer and their families with special recreational events that they might otherwise not be able to experience.

  Please make checks out to Caring Choices with the "R.A.D. " in the memo, or for your convenience we also accept donations online via PayPal. Please visit the Donations Page for details. Cash donations are also welcome.

  Please drop off donation or mail check to:
  Caring Choices
  1398 Ridgewood Drive
  Chico CA 95973

  In addition, donations of products, services and/or volunteer time are always welcome. If you have extra sporting game tickets or events tickets to a play or movie you may not be using or can offer any special trips/experiences. We appreciate all donations where the families are able to share in the moment, creating memories and smiles!!!! These events and opportunities will help these children and families get through these very difficult and trying times.

  Volunteer Opportunities

  Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. Some opportunities include:

  • Assisting with events (i.e. set up, break down, greeting families)
  • Assisting with fundraising
  • Scrap booking
  • Photography
  • Life Guard needed for Lake event
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Demos (i.e. fly fishing, cooking, acting)

   

• Current and On-Going Fundraisers

  
  

  R.A.D. Playhouse

  R.A.D.’s activities are made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers from the community. The dedication, energy and generosity of these volunteers combine to make this organization a success. With that being said we are currently working with students and instructors from Butte County’s Regional Occupation Program (ROP) from both Chico High School and PV High School on a fundraiser project. Two students from Chico High School’s ROP Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) have designed a Dr. Seuss “Cat In the Hat” themed Playhouse. Ten students from the ROP Construction Management from PV High School will be constructing it.

  We have been taking students around to local businesses for material donations and have been highly successful. The businesses have been very forthcoming and generous; it has been an amazing process! After completion the playhouse will be auctioned off where proceeds will go to the R.A.D. program.

  In the News: "Kids In Action"; ROP Playhouse

  Rick Carhart from KHSL-TV shows how two schools are now working in tandem to help raise money for a worthy cause. See Video below. Read More

  Click here to see photos and follow the progress of the Playhouse!
  (Photos & Location of Playhouse viewing coming soon)

  

  Throughout history quilts have been bringing people closer together through sharing, storytelling, and creativity. This idea has been the inspiration for one of our current fundraisers. Each family in the R.A.D. program will be given a square and fabric to create their own quilt square. Each family’s square will be used to form a single unifying quilt that tells their stories. We are currently working with local businesses and other nonprofit organizations to acquire the materials and sewing lessons to accomplishing this. The Annie’s Star Quilt Guild has donated the fabric, squares, and has offered their time in constructing each square by sewing the families design onto the square. Cathy’s Sew & Vac has offered to sew the squares together into one final masterpiece.

  In addition Annie’s Star Quilt Guild has graciously donated 3 unique and beautiful quilts to be raffled with proceeds to benefit the R.A.D. program. These 3 quilts along with the R.A.D. family quilt will be displayed at an upcoming R.A.D. event.

  Event Information

  Events are planned for each month (see the calendar on the Events page). Events usually last anywhere from 3hrs to an entire day depending on the event.

  Some of our past events have included bowling, private airplane rides, kayaking, fly-fishing, putt-putt golf, ceramics, trips to Great America and Disney on Ice, theater/movies, The Chico Community Observatory, R.A.D. Holiday Party, pumpkin farms and private lake party with a B-B-Q.

  Click for photos from these past R.A.D. events on our Flickr account. (Photos coming soon)

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Upcoming Events

R.A.D. Event Listings (Click for Events Calendar)

Contact Information

Karen Pingatore:
R.A.D./event coordinator

To sponsor or join an event as a family please contact:

R.A.D. Coordinator, Karen Pingatore
Work: (530) 899-3873
Toll free: (866) 703-3873
E-mail: Kpingatore@caring-choices.org

R.A.D.’S Group Philosophy

• To create friendship and resources needed to deal with cancer.
• To escape rigors of cancer treatment for a day of adventure & fun.
• To laugh, relax, and reconnect.
• Enjoy family time with a day off from the daily routine.
• Making the experience worry free for the families.
• Enjoying the events at no cost to qualifying families.

R.A.D. wish list and ideas

R.A.D. Christmas Party 2010

Click here for the entire Christmas Party Event on our Flickr account. (Photos coming soon)