Jason's Untimely Thoughts

I’d tried to spread the word that Hold That Hug photos would be available only until January 31.  As I knew there were a few people that still intended to order, I left up past that until those orders were placed.

Those orders came in last week, though, so the photos are no longer available.  If you’re reading this and would still like to order, please let me know and we can work something out.

I’m sending the final contribution of $308.59 to POYi today.  By my quick calculations, that brings the total raised to $4,085.86 from 109 orders.

Thanks again to the photographers who donated their services and all who helped make the event happen.

Hold That Hug Crew

Hold That Hug Photographers

Prior to Sarah’s party, Lance Jungmeyer, a good friend of ours, told me he’d written and recorded a song, then handed me a CD.  On it were two versions of a song titled “Everything Changes”, which we then immediately decided to play during the service.  Lance dedicated it to “Sarah Becking, and others who I lost in 2008 — Randy Johnson, Carlos DeLeon and Bob Schneeberg.”

Another good friend of ours, Chris Maupin, told me later he had thought and wished for a way to hook up with Lance beforehand and do something similar, but was unable due to travel (he lives in Denver, Lance in KC, both trying to get to Columbia on short notice), and had never even brought it up.  With that in mind, he was very glad when he learned Lance had done it on his own.

A few weeks later then, as Hold That Hug started coming to be fully-formed, Chris thought more.  What started as an idea of playing with Lance’s song more, maybe finding some professional musicians to fill in the score a little, whatever, has now turned into a separate event.

Everything Changes, with some details still tentative, is scheduled for Denver, Colorado, in June 2009.  Either Friday, June 5, or Saturday, June 20, at The Soiled Dove.  In Chris’ words, “Honor Sarah, Fight Cancer, Have Fun”.  The event will combine live music and photography with good friends and fun, with proceeds benefiting the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation – “providing support and care to Colorado cancer patients with dignity”.  The Hazel Miller Band will headline the show.  Chris and other Denver musicians will open.

There will be a photo contest, also featuring the theme Everything Changes.  With any luck at all someone we know has connections with a photo lab and Kodak or someone, and we’ll have prize packages for the winners.

For any and all, we’ll have audio downloads of original songs available online later.   There will be a silent auction featuring Colorado stuff and other valuable goods as we come upon them.

In all, the makings of a very nice event, with some details almost certain to change, for a good cause, honoring Sarah and all others who’ve dealt with it, in another place that she considered home (Sarah’s family moved from Denver to Columbia her junior year of high school).  Chris has done the vast majority of the work thus far.  Lance has graciously allowed his song to be in the mix and is helping with a facebook group among other things, for those of you who are 16 or who are pretending to be (pot/kettle).

Hope all is well for you and yours… continue to hug your friends and family, continues to be my sole bit of useful advice.  And on a side note, screw ku.

The December 2008 edition of Inside Columbia Magazine has a page of coverage on the Hold That Hug event.  I had no idea it was happening until two relatively random people yesterday mentioned they’d seen us in there.  It’s a nice spread and write-up, which we appreciate.

Hug For the Camera -- Hundreds Gather to Celebrate The Life of Sarah Becking

On the donation side of Hold That Hug, we’ve received 19 additional orders since my last update.  $175 was donated directly to POYi and I’ll be sending over a check for $590.50 later this week.  Current totals, then, are 95 orders received and $3,777.27 raised.

Photos from the event are still available for viewing/ordering here.

Later this week I’m mailing a check to POYi for $2,786.77 — the profits thus far from Hold That Hug photo sales.  In addition, three people contributed directly to POYi in payment for their photos, for an additional total of $225.  So, thus far, $3,011.77 raised from 76 orders.

That order number represents about half the number of families participating, so hopefully another $3,000 or so still to come.

I wish donations could have been given directly to POYi by those ordering, instead of being funneled through my bank account, but will continue to provide updates as I can for transparency and because I know there are people interested.

Once again, thanks to all involved for their efforts on the event, which continues to be a fine tribute to the organizers and to Sarah.

Amy & Kim at Silverbox Photographers have created and posted a wonderful slideshow of the Hold That Hug event.  The slideshow is here.  Their blog entry on the slideshow is here.

Similar topic, here is the article that ran in the Columbia Daily Tribune on the event, written by Irene Haskins.  (have posted before, but seemed to fit here too.)

This past Sunday, a cast of many completed an enormously successful venture in honor of Sarah called “Hold That Hug“.  Friends, photographers, and family combined to organize and manage the event.

Cast of Many, or most of them

At least 147 families, consisting of at least 504 bodies, with at least 3 dogs, all had their family portraits taken at Stewart Park near our house.  It was a neighborhood gathering, a kids run in the park gathering, and a very nice tribute to Sarah and to everyone that helped organize and photograph.

The photos from the event are online and for sale here.  All proceeds from those sales will be donated to Pictures of the Year International.

The Photographers who donated their time and services

Hold That Hug

http://www.holdthathug.blogspot.com/

I write to make sure everyone knows of an event that is being planned by a group of Sarah’s friends and peers — “Hold That Hug“, a drop-in family photo shoot, is taking place next Sunday, October 12, from 3 – 5 pm at Stewart Park in Columbia.  (If the esteemed President of the Stewart Park Association happens to be reading this, please remember my extra contribution to your slush fund recently and kindly look the other way as it seems we’re proceeding without waiting on official approval.)  Photo taken or no, come hang out with the gang if you like.

From the site:  http://www.holdthathug.blogspot.com/

Sarah Becking’s photographer friends are hosting a tribute event that’s taken the shape of a drop-in family photo shoot from 3-5 PM, Sunday, October 12th. (If it’s raining at 12 noon that day stay tuned to this blog. If it’s still raining at 2 PM, we’ll reschedule for the event to be held on Sunday, October 26th instead.) note:  There’s a step we haven’t yet taken in getting official permission to use the park, but plan on dropping by sometime during 3-5 pm at Stewart Park in Columbia. Hang out with us. Play with us. Get your picture made by us.

every family is welcome.

“family hug” type group pictures will be created (at no charge) for every family in attendance.

family pictures will be posted online via sarah becking’s zenfolio site (i.e. her “photo store”) sometime after the event. proceeds from any print sales will be directed to something sarah really loved: PICTURES-OF-THE-YEAR-International.

that’s the scoop. stay tuned for updates. and go hug somebody you love ~ that’s what it’s all about.

hold that hug.

Go Hug your friends and family, go Tigers, beat the corn, and on a side note, screw ku.