We offer several programs for the children and their families throughout the year.
Gridiron Gang Camp
The Gridiron Gang Camp brought together 25 pediatric cancer patients from five US cities for a fun filled five days in the St. Louis, Missouri area. The children enjoyed a camp experience at Jellystone Park – a scenic family park located on the outskirts of Eureka, Missouri. The park is nestled in a tree lined area where the campers enjoyed swimming, outdoor movies, a visit from Safari Steve, campfires and marshmallows roasts.
Day One we headed to Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor Amusement and Water Park about a mile from Jellystone. All day passes allowed access to any ride – as many times as they wished. Six Flags boasts one of the largest wave pools in the country along with acres of rides – there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy at Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor. We took a short break for lunch, then hurried back to the rides and water slides for the remainder of the afternoon.
Day Two we were off to Dave & Buster’s Arcade in St. Louis. After a short bus ride we descended on the Million Dollar Midway filled with the latest interactive and video games! The most popular person in the place was the one with the game tickets! We had lunch, used up the remainder of our tickets and headed back to Camp where Safari Steve was waiting for us. Safari Steve presented a show that featured LARGE snakes and spiders, regular sized lizards, alligators and other slimy things! The campers loved Steve and his friends.
Day Three – the last day of our stay – was a memorable day at Isaiah’s Run, a 35 acre private lake where the Campers enjoyed a multitude of water sports. They were able to fish, swim, ski, play on a water trampoline, canoe or soak up the sun on a giant water raft. Isaiah’s Run is owned by the Voss family who extended an unbelievable welcome for the Campers and Counselors.
For the children, these new friendships offered encouragement and support as they navigated through their course of recovery. Jared and Micki Tomich, Chris and Natalie Kelsay, Craig and Rachel Terrill and Brian and Noelle Young joined Grant and Melissa in hosting these events.
The Wistrom Family Foundation are pleased to announce that we will be reprising the Gridiron Gang Camp this summer! This year’s Camp will consist of a day trip to Isaiah’s Run, with transportation and chaperones provided! The fun is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th, 2012! We’re so excited to treat a lucky group of kids with this fun-filled adventure again this year, and are extremely grateful to the Voss family for extending their hospitality to us once more!
UNL Game Day
The Foundation donates four tickets to each home UNL Football game to a pediatric cancer patient and their family, so that they may enjoy the Husker experience firsthand.
Moms and Daughters
Several Springfield, Missouri area Mothers and Daughters enjoy a relaxing day filled with manicures, make-up and hairstyling. The girls are able to make a keepsake picture frame for their mothers, as well as a thank you gift for the many volunteer stylists and estheticians who contribute their time and talents to this memorable event. All the families and volunteers are treated to lunch and dessert, with a Mother/Daughter photo shoot provided by Eyecrave Photography–the perfect way to end a magical day.
A Day at the Skinny Improv
This past September, Jeff Jenkins and the comedy troupe of The Skinny Improv treated the children to a day of silly improv exercises, a play–complete with popcorn and laughs, and the opportunity to create a custom backdrop for the production. The kids had so much fun! Check out our Skinny Improv photo gallery for some great photos from the event!
St. Jude’s/Mercy Christmas Party
This year, the Wistrom Family Foundation sponsored and provided T-shirts for the staff (or elves, if you will) of 
St. Jude’s/Mercy Springfield Children’s Hospital for their Annual Christmas Party. We are very proud to be partnering with St. Jude’s/Mercy as they expand their services in this region, and hope to continue to build a thriving relationship with their organization for years to come!
