September match gift sponsors Jim and Holly on why your donation matters

Meet NC4K Champions Jim and Holly Case, a couple keeping busy in retirement by spending time with their six children and young grandson, attending Blue Jackets and Crew games, and giving back to the community. Jim and Holly have been steadfast supporters of NC4K for years. From making introductions, to buying new technology for the office, to volunteering at family events, this duo loves working together to make a difference. Recently, they made an incredibly meaningful contribution by sponsoring $5,000 of the match gift for our September campaign to double the impact of every donation we receive this month.

Jim says: “We’ve all struggled through illnesses and family issues and seen how families can be affected by these things. It’s sometimes hard to talk about, but we want to be supportive of all that and do our best to make [NC4K staff members’] jobs easier and provide the kids and the families what they need…that’s how we ended up doing it, that’s why we continue to do it. It warms our hearts…to go to these events and see the kids happy.”

Holly shares a story about when she and Jim worked at the gift station giving away toys at our Spring Fling: “That was so fun, because [the kids] were right there. Usually we see them up onstage, the Heroes and their families, and they were all right there and tugging on our shirts…I loved that event, just because we were right there. It was really hands-on and you got to see the parents and the siblings and everybody, and everybody got to pick whatever they wanted…that was so fun.”

Jim goes on to explain that when he sees the joy our Heroes and their families feel at NC4K events, he is reminded of the importance of supporting NC4K staff.

“I see minivans lined up at all these events, and a lot of them are just staff members’ cars, hauling stuff, making sure everything’s there…bottom line is, the kids and the families appreciate everything you do, but without you and the rest of the staff, it just doesn’t happen, so anything we can do to raise money to make it be easier for you guys- that’s what I get pride and the most joy out of, because I watch these kids and their families and just know that it just doesn’t happen without you guys.”

Jim and Holly consistently support Team NC4K and our families by making connections with other community members. Some examples include Feazel, who stuffed backpacks for our Back-to-School Bash this year; Jeff Johnson Jewelers, who has donated auction items and crafted jewelry for families; and Shucking Bubba, a local band that has performed at our NC4K Gala: A Night at the Safari for multiple years.

When Jim and Holly make an introduction, they think it’s impactful for the person listening to hear how involved they are themselves: “We’re in it, we’re going, we’re giving, we’re doing.” They show appreciation for the fact that NC4K is local to Columbus: “It could be your neighbor, it could be anybody that has a child with cancer.” They also pose the question: “Did you know that pediatric cancer is the least funded out of all the cancers? Did you have any idea? Why would that be?”?

As the generous donors behind $5,000 of our September match gift, Jim and Holly speak directly to the supporters in our community. Holly encourages all of our Champions to take action and give now:

“If you’re looking for a place to give, why not double it? It’s like a coupon, everybody likes a coupon. If you’re gonna give $50, do it to where it makes the most impact and it’s gonna be $100…it feels good. If you have $10 to give, give $10. Because knowing that it’s going to a great organization, and what [NC4K] is gonna do with that $10, I mean- whether it’s $10 or 10,000, it makes my heart feel good. Maybe more people need to try it.”

We at NC4K are extraordinarily thankful for Jim, Holly, and all the Champions in our community who take a little bit of time out of their day to tell a friend about our families, to volunteer at an event, or to make a monetary gift. If you’re feeling inspired to make a difference today, the last day of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we invite you to Go Gold for NC4K Families. Through the end of the day, your donation will be matched to create double the impact on the lives of kids and teens fighting cancer at give.nc4k.org/gogold .