WOW! We are bowled over by the generosity of our supporters and the exuberance of the participants in Amazing Chase VI! Thanks to our truly Amazing Chasers, this annual FUNdraiser brought in $64,300 to benefit St. Monica’s clients!

On Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, 27 teams of four tore through the streets of Lincoln, Nebraska, solving clues, seeking locations, and performing some pretty silly challenges all in an effort to be the first team to find and cross the finish line in St. Monica’s sixth annual Amazing Chase. This competitive fundraiser is a powerful reminder that the path to recovery from substance abuse is never a straight line. There are twists and obstacles all along the way, and perseverance and a supportive team is the only way to find the finish line.

“We are so proud of this unique celebration of our organization’s mission,” said Mary Barry-Magsamen, executive director of St. Monica’s. “People from all walks of life participate, either by ‘Chasing,’ sponsoring a team, or volunteering. This is a fun, community-focused event that provides a positive focus on the challenges and successes of behavioral health issues that impact all of us, and it celebrates the women and children of St. Monica’s who turn their lives around.”

Teams spent two months before the Chase collecting donations for St. Monica’s, with the amount of funds raised determining each team’s start time.

And the winners were:

Top fundraisers:
1. UnEXPERIANced (Experian)
2. Cline Williams Wright Johnson and Oldfather
3. The Unbeatables & Travis (Union Bank)

Amazing Chase competition:
1. Scared Hitless (Stanley Healthcare Solutions)
2. 4-Man Wolfpack (Lincoln Benefit Life)
3. Cornerstone Printing & Imaging

Prizes for the top fundraisers and competitors included trips to the Dominican Republic, Daytona Beach, and Breckenridge, all donated by supporters of St. Monica’s.

Each of the 27 teams in this year’s Chase did a phenomenal job of collecting donations for St. Monica’s, by word of mouth, via Facebook, through their workplaces or churches, and with a variety of innovative efforts, from Guitar-O-Grams to Husker game day parking.

“Fundraising was a lot of work, but it was also fun,” said René Meister, captain of UnEXPERIANced, a first-year team that brought in $3,045 for St. Monica’s, the most funds raised by any team.

“I was amazed at the generosity of my coworkers, friends and especially my family,” René says. “St. Monica’s is such an easy sell, though – what a great thing you are doing for the women (and their children) of our community.”

St. Monica’s is also deeply grateful to the many individuals, businesses and organizations who donate to the Amazing Chase. Those who sponsor our teams, donate prizes for our winners, and send in donations from $5 to$2,500 – these are the community partners who make the Chase such a success! Thank you so much to this year’s sponsors of the Amazing Chase:
• Cheever Construction
• Cintani Family Foundation
• Cornhusker Bank
• Cornerstone Printing & Imaging
• Dan Wintz
• Experian
• Firespring
• Hampton Enterprises
• Harding & Shultz
• Holmes Murphy
• HoriSun Hospice
• Kingery Construction
• Laminated Wood Systems
• Lincoln Benefit Life
• Sandhills Publishing
• Unico
• Union Bank
• Willnerd & Associates CPAs

The Chase also would not happen without the nearly 100 volunteers who staff the various challenge locations and keep everything running smoothly. This year we were delighted to welcome 25 volunteers from Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group among our volunteers.

If you’re ready to start thinking about next year’s Chase, please contact Rebecca Roberts, St. Monica’s director of development, at 402.434.2812. She can tell you more about how to participate as an Amazing Chase team, a corporate sponsor or a volunteer.

Thanks once again to everyone who helped make this year’s Amazing Chase such a success … you are helping women and their families rebuild their lives every day at St. Monica’s!