05/15/2026
Long post
This is Basket of Courage’s 15th and final year. We have had a two-fold purpose and that was to bring hope and encouragement to women and children diagnosed with cancer and most importantly to share God’s love with them during this most difficult time.
Up until Covid we shipped baskets for both women and children and delivered baskets to Ronald McDonald House adding Advocate Children’s Hospital a couple of years back. We then transitioned the baskets to gift boxes and Christmas bags to help with the shipping costs and storage. Every item in the basket fits beautifully in the gift box.
We have 14 gift boxes still available to finish out the year. You can private message me if this is something you would like to send to someone that might need a little encouragement on their journey.
Before I close this chapter, I would like to take the time to thank a few people who were a great support to Basket of Courage throughout the years.
It all started with a basket I received from Ron’s cousin Joanne who filled it with love and support from all the other cousins to let me know they were praying and there for me.
Because that meant so much to me the very first basket was actually created in May 2010 and given on behalf of Wanda’s Warriors, a team name organized by my family who raised over 5K for the Network of Strength Mother’s Day walk in Chicago. By the end of the year with several baskets sent and more to make, my sons Phil and Sam launched the non-profit foundation in January 2011 with the official name, Basket of Courage. My heart is filled with love and gratitude to my sons for their support and staying on the board all these years.
I want to thank two special people who took the baskets to the next level after printing my own “not very professional” brochures and cards, my niece Danielle Tisser and her husband Jason Tisser designed a beautiful brochure, cards and logo specifically for Basket of Courage. Danielle was also the coordinator for our two very successful fundraisers as well as all the organizations, companies and individuals who donated to the raffles. I could have never done any of this without her. She has an immense talent in marketing and an immense talent throwing a great party.
Which brings me to others who have held fundraisers for BOC to help continue this ministry. Thank-you to Mike and Heather Hackett from the former Bling Thing in Naperville (Heather who I met at a Susan G. Komen Walk and the brightest sunshine is with our Lord still shining brightly), Michelle Carnagio who held not one but two Facebook fundraisers and is also breast cancer survivor, Traughber Jr. High Student Council (such great kids) sold pink bracelets during breast cancer awareness month two years in a row and donated the proceeds to BOC, to the Frankfort Falcon cheerleaders and a special cheerleader Gianna Vita for choosing BOC to donate funds they raised during breast cancer awareness month, and the Shorewood Glen Association where I worked for a short while.
I was deeply moved and humbled by the donations received in memory of a loved one, Margie Patrick, Heather Hackett, Beth Carlson and Teresa Human.
I want to thank Mike Popovich for spray painting our baskets gold and Brian from Precision Autocraft. Thanks to KBS Fulfillments Inc who donated shipping boxes and bubble wrap for the baskets. Thanks to Jackie Wegg for the beautiful blessing bracelets, she provided every year and Jody Handzik for the embroidered ribbons such a nice addition to the baskets/gift boxes. In the early years my sister Shirley made beautiful scarves as well.
A HUGE thank you to our shipping angels who shipped the baskets/gift boxes while I was out of town; Sherri Chojnacki, Betty Beran, Judy Tortorich and the last few years my brother Leroy Rhodes for doing an amazing job. Thank you to Gina Metzgar who helped get the gift boxes ready for shipping.
Every year until Covid my family came together for pizza and dessert to put together the KIDZ baskets for Ronald McDonald House.
I would like to take a moment to remember three amazing women close to my heart who supported Basket of Courage from it’s beginning with prayers, donations and hard work. Margie Patrick, my sweet mom, Shirley Sigler, my sister and Vera Severino who never missed a breast cancer walk and made the most delicious pies for our RMH get together. Their support and love were invaluable to me and they are truly missed.
To my husband Ron, definitely my better half, who always helped deliver, pack, spray paint emergency baskets, do all the heavy lifting and had a strong shoulder to lean on when I needed it. I love you.
Lastly, and I saved the best for last, to ALL of you who prayed, generously donated, supported Basket of Courage throughout these 15 years, thank-you. I have always said we may be the hands and feet but because of your generosity and your trust in us, you were the heart of this ministry and because of your faithfulness, God never let the well run dry.
I have learned anytime you want to do something for His glory, the enemy attacks. A special thanks to three ladies Darlene Kearney, Carol Adair and Deb Gonnam, who in the very beginning I asked if they would pray for Basket of Courage and me.
I am not sure what the next chapter God has for me, but I am excited to find out. Let us continue to pray for a cure even though at times it feels like our prayers are going unanswered, there are amazing treatments and clinical trials still being offered and developed.
It also reminds me of Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Keep praying! Do Not Give Up!
Love to you all.
Wanda
