After being involved in the HIS KIDS organization that helps families of childhood cancer victims, Sandy and Steve Terry and friends recently decided to begin a separate organization. This is Leaps of Love, which is for families living within a 100-mile radius of Hannibal.
Sandy Terry and Patty Light, codirectors of the new organization, explained that they appreciate all the good HIS KIDS does, but this will ensure all the funds raised in Hannibal will be used locally.
Beginning a new group was “a very prayerful decision we made,” Sandy said. “HIS KIDS is alive and well and doing wonderful. They serve Illinois, Missouri and Florida,. And we are concentrating solely on a 100-mile radius of Hannibal.” Hannibal children go to Children’s Hospital and Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, she said.
Because of the travel involved, she explained, “everybody needs help with phone cards and fuel cards. ... Whatever their needs might be, we do what we can with what resources have been donated in this area.”
Quoting the group’s mission statement, Sandy said, “Leaps of Love embraces families affected by childhood cancer and similar diseases by providing hope, strength and encouragement to meet the challenges they face today as well as the long-term effects of tomorrow.”
“We will be scheduling different family outings throughout the year,” she added. “We have already put together a calender of upcoming events.”
Doctor to host
Dec. 17 benefit
The next event will be hosted by Dr. Rob Robertson on Thursday, Dec. 17, at his Back 2 Health Chiropractic Clinic at 2918 St. Marys Ave. Robertson invited patients to schedule an appointment on Dec. 17 by calling (573) 221-5555, promising that a portion of the proceeds from that day’s services will be donated to Leaps of Love. He said his patients also will receive a free mini massage by Cindy Windland and a functional movement screening by personal trainer Joe Johnson.
The first annual local area musicians’ charity fund-raiser to benefit Leaps of Love will be a band reunion on Jan. 17, 2010, in Quincy, Ill., Sandy explained. The location and time will be announced later. “Area bands, past and present, will be getting together for a reunion,” she said. It is planned to become an annual fund-raiser.
It is being coordinated by Mike Gilbert, “who works with us at the boat,” Sandy added. “He has played in different bands.”
The Quincy location will be appropriate, she said, because “we are serving a 100-mile radius of Hannibal. That includes Quincy, Springfield (Ill.), Palmyra, and Monroe City - all the surrounding area within the 100 miles.”
The name, Leaps of Love, is related to the logo, a frog, Sandy said. “FROG means Forever Rely On God.”
The Terrys first became involved with Forever Rely On God in 1992, when their daughter, Jenna, was a cancer victim at a very young age. She has since recovered, and the Terrys have continued to host events at their Mark Twain Riverboat to help families. (Jenna, a former Miss Hannibal, was crowned Miss Mark Twain on Dec. 5).
On Oct. 25, the new Leaps of Love had a Harvest Cruise on the riverboat. At this first fund-raiser, $8,000 was raised, Sandy said.
The cruise’s entertainers included country singer Becky Blackaby, who sang her upcoming country songs; and Jenna Terry, 23, who wrote her own words for the tune of “Walking on Sunshine.” She is a 17-year cancer survivor and has performed many times for survivors, Sandy said. An auction followed the musical performance.
The fundaiser concluded with Patrick Hedges singing “You Raised Me Up.”
Now, Sandy added, “we are in the process of putting together a project, Love A Family, putting together baskets for the holidays.
The second annual Harvest Cruise has already been scheduled. It will be on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, on the Mark Twain Riverboat.
In addition to helping families and planning future fund-raisers, the group is applying for a Missouri not-for-profit designation. Meanwhile, “we are accepting donations through the Northeast Missouri Foundation in Hannibal,” Sandy said. Donations may be mailed or delivered to the Leaps of Love office at 100 Center St., (573) 221 4409.
