February 20th 2009
Well we did it. We pulled it off. Last night was Oliver's All Star Bash! It was AMAZING!! Everything went pretty much according to plan. There are always hiccups here and there but for the most part the night went very smoothly. I got there around four so that we could finish up some last minute details. We had over a hundred volunteers that needed to be organized and told what needed to be done. We had the most amazing volunteers. They were all UNI students and had been coordinated through a lady named Jen Beck. I will forever be grateful to them. Without them the night would not have been such a great success. They were super helpful and great with the kids! So here are pictures of the night!Oliver and his family were picked up in a limo and brought to the location.
Here they are pulling up.
Oliver being greeted by the limo driver as he exited the limo.
The Palmer Family.
Oliver, Stacy, Jaren, Eden, Ed (minus their two month old, who was to sick to attend)
As they entered the building their were Camp Adventure (UNI students) lining the stair way waiting and cheering with confetti.
Here they are getting ready....
Here is his big entrance. I think he was a little shocked. A lot of people were cheering. I think he got a little nervous. ;0)
Here he is. The big man of the night! He looks so sweet and handsome in his tux.
Once the Palmer's arrived, it was time for the party to begin.
Downstairs we had food and games for the kids.
There were so many fun tables and activities set up. Camp adventure kids had tables set up to make fun hats and other crafts, Jiva a local salon set up a table and were giving all the little girls manicures. There was a balloon guy who was making just about anything you could think of out of balloons for the kids. There was a flat screen set up with a wii in the corner for kids to play different wii games. It was really amazing and I think all of the kids had such a good time.
While everyone was eating we had some guests arrive. The local fire department decided to drop in.
They asked Oliver if he would come outside for a minute. Then they surprised us all and scooped him up, set him in the truck and starting fastening him in.After they got him all buckled in, they put a head set on him so that he could hear the other guys in the truck. Then....they let him pull the horn! How fun. Stacy, Amy and I were joking about how most grown men we know would probably like to do the same thing!
The surprises just kept coming. After checking with Ed and Stacy, they turned on the sirens and took Oliver for a ride around downtown. We were all standing outside and could hear the siren as the toured the downtown area. I know Oliver thought this was pretty cool!
After they got back, there was one more surprise.
The Fire Marshall made Oliver an honorary Fire Fighter. It was very sweet. I believe he got a badge and a tee-shirt that said fire fighter.
The night did not end there.
We had another special guest. The Bucks, a local baseball team's mascot came to enjoy the evening and greet people that were there.
Once dinner was over, people started moving upstairs to the dance floor. We had a DJ set up as well as a silent auction and raffle.
Here is Uncle Bryan, Grandma Young, and Oliver!
Cullan rocking his balloon gear. The balloon guy was amazing! He was so great with the kids. People were waiting almost thirty minutes in line at some points just so their kids could chat with him and get a balloon.
Here is Jaren, Oliver's younger brother playing with his balloon sword.
The dance was great. The DJ played fun music and everyone had a great time. These are some friends of ours from church that I snapped a quick picture of dancing. Eric and his daughter Addy.
One last special guest for the night. TC the Panther mascot from UNI came to dance the night away. Oliver was so funny. When he got to meet TC he put his hand up on his head to cover up his Hawkeye logo. He said he did not want TC to be upset with him. What a sweet kid.
The party was AMAZING. People were so generous and I think that everyone had a fun time. I think that the dancing started to tapper of around 10:00 or 10:30. Again the UNI and Camp Adventure kids were great. They helped clean up and tear everything down. All the work was done in no time at all. So after everyone had left and everything was said and done, we decided to get one more picture.
So here we are. The Committee Gals!
Starting on the left side, bottom.
Bridget B, Andrea G, Stacy P
Right side back to front
Jen B, Myself, Amy B, Meghan H.
I can not say enough good things about Jen B. and her volunteers from UNI and Camp Adventure. I am also so grateful for everyone who came out to support our event and to enjoy the evening. My heart has been filled to the brim with love for complete strangers. Multiple people who stopped me that night and told me stories about how they knew the Palmer Family or how they did not and just came. I have been humbled by the kindness of others and hope that I do not soon forget the feelings I have had through the experience of these last two fundraisers.
If you would like to know more about Oliver and his condition you can go to his website below.
Oliver Palmer
Here they are pulling up.
Oliver being greeted by the limo driver as he exited the limo.
The Palmer Family.Oliver, Stacy, Jaren, Eden, Ed (minus their two month old, who was to sick to attend)
As they entered the building their were Camp Adventure (UNI students) lining the stair way waiting and cheering with confetti.
Here they are getting ready....
Here is his big entrance. I think he was a little shocked. A lot of people were cheering. I think he got a little nervous. ;0)
Here he is. The big man of the night! He looks so sweet and handsome in his tux.Once the Palmer's arrived, it was time for the party to begin.
Downstairs we had food and games for the kids.
There were so many fun tables and activities set up. Camp adventure kids had tables set up to make fun hats and other crafts, Jiva a local salon set up a table and were giving all the little girls manicures. There was a balloon guy who was making just about anything you could think of out of balloons for the kids. There was a flat screen set up with a wii in the corner for kids to play different wii games. It was really amazing and I think all of the kids had such a good time.While everyone was eating we had some guests arrive. The local fire department decided to drop in.
They asked Oliver if he would come outside for a minute. Then they surprised us all and scooped him up, set him in the truck and starting fastening him in.After they got him all buckled in, they put a head set on him so that he could hear the other guys in the truck. Then....they let him pull the horn! How fun. Stacy, Amy and I were joking about how most grown men we know would probably like to do the same thing!
The surprises just kept coming. After checking with Ed and Stacy, they turned on the sirens and took Oliver for a ride around downtown. We were all standing outside and could hear the siren as the toured the downtown area. I know Oliver thought this was pretty cool!After they got back, there was one more surprise.
The Fire Marshall made Oliver an honorary Fire Fighter. It was very sweet. I believe he got a badge and a tee-shirt that said fire fighter.The night did not end there.
We had another special guest. The Bucks, a local baseball team's mascot came to enjoy the evening and greet people that were there.Once dinner was over, people started moving upstairs to the dance floor. We had a DJ set up as well as a silent auction and raffle.
Here is Uncle Bryan, Grandma Young, and Oliver!
Cullan rocking his balloon gear. The balloon guy was amazing! He was so great with the kids. People were waiting almost thirty minutes in line at some points just so their kids could chat with him and get a balloon.
Here is Jaren, Oliver's younger brother playing with his balloon sword.
The dance was great. The DJ played fun music and everyone had a great time. These are some friends of ours from church that I snapped a quick picture of dancing. Eric and his daughter Addy.
One last special guest for the night. TC the Panther mascot from UNI came to dance the night away. Oliver was so funny. When he got to meet TC he put his hand up on his head to cover up his Hawkeye logo. He said he did not want TC to be upset with him. What a sweet kid.
The party was AMAZING. People were so generous and I think that everyone had a fun time. I think that the dancing started to tapper of around 10:00 or 10:30. Again the UNI and Camp Adventure kids were great. They helped clean up and tear everything down. All the work was done in no time at all. So after everyone had left and everything was said and done, we decided to get one more picture.
So here we are. The Committee Gals!Starting on the left side, bottom.
Bridget B, Andrea G, Stacy P
Right side back to front
Jen B, Myself, Amy B, Meghan H.
I can not say enough good things about Jen B. and her volunteers from UNI and Camp Adventure. I am also so grateful for everyone who came out to support our event and to enjoy the evening. My heart has been filled to the brim with love for complete strangers. Multiple people who stopped me that night and told me stories about how they knew the Palmer Family or how they did not and just came. I have been humbled by the kindness of others and hope that I do not soon forget the feelings I have had through the experience of these last two fundraisers.
If you would like to know more about Oliver and his condition you can go to his website below.
Oliver Palmer
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