Our first out of state fundraiser occurred just this past week. A bean bag tournament was held on Saturday November 12th in Roanoke Rapids, NC with all proceeds going to KBMF. Elizabeth, Nicholas and Kathryn's cousin, Alex, were able to attend on behalf of KBMF to help work the event and spread the word of sudden death. A big thank you goes out to Lonnie Harris and Lake Country Cornhole for organizing and running the event.

NOVEMBER 20TH, 2011
6TH ANNIVERSARY OF KATHRYN'S PASSING

~MAY 19TH, 2012
7TH ANNUAL KATHRYN BENDER DANCE SHOWCASE

5th 5K in August at NNHS

This years 5K in August broke our attendance record with almost 200 participants. Thank you to everyone who came out to walk or run. A special thank you goes out to Naperville North High School for the use of their facilities.

This years sponsors included: Dahlstrom Display, Inc, Day & Robert P.C., Dr. Beata Lezerkiewicz, DDS, Einstein Bros Bagels, Michael's Fresh Market, Midwest Heart Foundation and Steps Dance Center.

The upcoming holiday season marks our sixth year of collecting and distributing teddy bears and other stuffed animals to Children's Memorial Hospital.

NEW stuffed animals can be delivered to Steps Dance Center, 4054 Fox Valley Center Dr Aurora IL, or to the Bender household. Kathryn's Bears will be collected until December 17th.

A Day of Hope & Remembrance was celebrated on September 10th. Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network held this special day that brought together families and friends to honor the legacy of loved ones who gave the gift of hope through organ and tissue donation. Kathryn's picture was shown during the event to honor and remember her.

Our first dinner fundraising event at Sweet Tomatoes was a huge success! We had over 150 people attend the event on Thursday November 3rd. Twenty percent of the proceeds from that night went directly to KBMF. Thank you to everyone that came out to enjoy a great meal for a great cause. Look for our next dinner fundraiser in the spring.

Nicholas & Elizabeth during 'Stand By Me'

Planning for the 7th Annual Kathryn Bender Dance Showcase has begun. The showcase will be held at Naperville North High School due to renovations at the College of DuPage. It will still be a great evening of dance, music, raffles, friends and fun. Come out to help us break another attendance record!

When: Saturday May 19th, 2012

Where: Naperville North Performing Arts Center 899 N. Mill St. Naperville, IL

Time: Event starts at 6:30pm Show starts at 7:30pm

Ticket Info: Tickets will be available at the door and online. More ticket info will be provided in our next issue.

~Past Participants Included~

DuPage Dance Team

Extensions Dance Company

Inside Out Dance Company

Metea Valley HS Orchesis

Naperville Central HS Orchesis

Naperville North HS Orchesis

Naperville Park District

Neuqua Valley HS Orchesis

School of Performing Arts

Soul Unique

Steps Dance Center

Under Pressure

Waubonsie Valley HS Orchesis

~2012 Guest Performances~

Thodos Dance Company

MADD Rhythms Tap Company

Nick Melville - for keeping the website updated

Joanne Marty - for her support towards KBMF

Midwest Heart Foundation - for participating in KBMF fundraisers and for their continued research and fundraising for sudden death

Ray Kinney at Minute Man Press - for printing our newsletter

STEPS Dance Center - for continuing to volunteer and help KBMF with fundraising activities

Steve Mahoney - for his continued support and dedication to KBMF

And everyone who continues to support and donate to KBMF