Joseph's Journey is an incredible 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing wilderness experiences to children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses. These adventures might be hiking, fishing, camping, or hunting - whatever the individual child might want.

Joe Steuart was diagnosed with leukemia at age 13; however, in spite of all the chemotherapy and outstanding care by the doctors at Children's Hospital, Joseph passed away within seven months. Following his death, the family found a shoebox in Joseph's closet containing $50.25 marked "for my caribou hunt." This was the impetus for his parents, Kim and Vickie Steuart, and his sister, Teresa, to start "Joseph's Journey" to help fulfill other children's wishes for wilderness experiences.

As a nonprofit organization, everything is made possible through donations of money, goods, and services and through the time and efforts of dedicated volunteers at three major events each year. A silent auction held in February with the Dunstan Middle School Music Department and a garage sale in August are the main fund raising activities. The third event is the annual fishing derby that is primarily a fun-filled day for all children under 21 years of age who are suffering from a terminal or life-threatening illness.

The 9th Annual Fishing Derby was held on June 7 and set a new record with more than 150 children and their immediate family members in attendance. The event was held at a private lake owned by the Denver Water Board close to Chatfield Reservoir. The lake had been recently stocked and children were all smiles and giggles as many trout, bluegills, and bass were caught and released that day.

As one of several members of the Alameda West Kiwanis Club volunteering our services, I was very touched by what I saw that day. Kim, Vickie, and Teresa are very committed and passionate in their service to these children. Some of the kids that came could barely walk and others were in specialized wheelchairs. I'm sure these kids spend many of their days in the hospital or confined indoors. They were so excited to attend the fishing derby and you could sense they could forget, at least for a little while, about their challenges. It was a beautiful day and the kids and their families were so polite and appreciative of this opportunity to be outdoors.

The following groups and organizations donated products or volunteered at the Fishing Derby: Market West, Dreyer's Ice Cream, Pepperidge Farms, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Bowhunter's Association, American Bowmen, The National Guard, West Metro Fire Department, Sportsman's Warehouse, Frito-Lay, Denver West Trout Unlimited, Tightline Outfitters, Zinn Logistics, Shining Starts Foundation, Alameda West Kiwanis Club, Zimmerman Customs Brokers, Logistics Innovators, Sea-Jet Express, Sanders Construction, BTX Air Express and Prestige Corporation Relocation.

Some of the wonderful services these groups provided that day:

The Colorado Division of Wildlife set up fishing clinics to teach the children about fishing and provided rods and reels for each child to use and take home.

Denver West Trout Unlimited participated and helped by cooking lunch for everyone, as well as assisting kids with catching fish.

West Metro Fire Department provided plenty of help and let the children check out their trucks and equipment.

The Sportsmen's Warehouse provided bait and volunteers to help.

The Colorado Bowhunter's Association and American Bowmen set up and manned an archery range.

Dreyer's Ice Cream came with their dipping station full of ice cream treats for everyone to enjoy during the day.

Also attending were Marci Pergola, a face painter, and Charlie Ogard of Charlie O's Photography, the official photographer.

If you would like to donate your time, money, and/or talents to this very deserving organization, please contact Kim or Vickie Steuart at:

Website: www.josephsjourney.org

E-Mail: josephsjourney@aol.com

Phone:(303) 989-5710

Regular Mail: P.O. Box 150453 Lakewood, CO 80215-0453

Submittedby Bob Zachman, Publicity Chair, Alameda West Kiwanis Club