Evie Ladd & Zach Johnson
Greg Rono, left, and Gary Johnson, right, with Zach Johnson
Giving back to help others is what makes a community a great place to live and work. Recently, Jodie and Scott Johnson, owners of The Office Shop in Aitkin and Brainerd, encountered several individuals who impressed them with their generous donations to the Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund.
At the Aug. 20 “Make It Count” Block Party in Aitkin, organized by Shirts Plus owners with the goal of spreading generosity and creating sustainable charitable giving, The Office Shop and the Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund sponsored a Bean Bag game, featuring 16 teams. The winning team, Greg Rono and Gary Johnson, each won $100, which they donated back to the Kids with Cancer Fund.
“This was an unexpected surprise, but this is what we do in our community,” said Jodie Johnson. “We give back to those in need.”
Evie Ladd, who sells Circle of Hope bracelets to raise funds for various cancer nonprofits at local events, contributed $1,000 to the Kids with Cancer Fund after her sales at Palisade Days in late August.
“Evie has been a generous donor to Zach’s cancer fund since 2008,” Scott Johnson adds. “She works tirelessly to promote awareness of cancer nonprofits like Zach’s fund and what they can do to help patients, survivors and families.”
Named after Zachary Johnson, Jodie and Scott Johnson’s son who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 10 months, this fund offers grants to families with a dependent child age 21 or under who has any form of cancer. The service area includes the counties of Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Mille Lacs, Morrison and Wadena. The gift is to be used for anything that the patient or caregiver wishes. The funds have been used to purchase equipment for the hospital in Aitkin, gas money for medical appointments or taking a child with cancer on a special outing.
Applications for a grant from the Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund are accepted any time through the year. Simply contact Riverwood Foundation at (218) 927-5158 or foundation@riverwoodhealthcare.org