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Freshman forward Trent Plaisted helped spread some Christmas cheer at last year's Christmas Party for families who have children with cancer. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
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PROVO, Utah (Nov. 28, 2005) -- For the seventh year, the BYU men's basketball team will join the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation in an effort to raise money for families who have children with cancer and participate in the Foundation's annual Christmas party those families.
On Wednesday, BYU takes on the Lamar Cardinals at the Delta Center at 7 p.m. Thousands of BYU Cougar fans can unite with the team and the Foundation by donating money that will directly benefit the Christmas experience these families and their children will have this holiday season.
At all entrances to the Delta Center, there will be volunteers for the Foundation that will collect money for those who wish to donate. At the end of the game, there will be volunteers set up at all exit locations to gather any last donations. The Foundation is also collecting any unwrapped toys that can be dropped off at the nearest Far West Bank or Harmon's Down Town Auto Center located in Provo.
One hundred percent of the money donated to the Foundation will go directly towards the Christmas party for more than 90 families who have children with cancer living primarily in Utah County. A large portion of the money donated will purchase hundreds of toys that will enable these parents to have gifts under the Christmas tree for their children. In addition to all of these toys, there is food, free entertainment, such as games and ornament decorating, and local celebrities including Santa, Cosmo and the BYU men's and women's basketball team.
This is the seventh year BYU coaches, players and their families have volunteered for the Christmas party. Though he has been heavily involved with the Foundation during his eight years as an assistant coach at BYU, this year will be head coach Dave Rose's first opportunity to serve as honorary chairman.
"This has always been a cause I feel strongly about," said BYU coach Dave Rose. "It has been such a positive experience for the coaches, players and families and is a tremendous opportunity for community members to be involved in brightening the holiday season for these children."
Cheryl Rose, vice chairman of the Foundation and wife of coach Rose, discussed the challenges these families face financially and how the Foundation hopes to help these families now and in the future.
"For many of these families, it is financially impossible to always have food on the table, a roof over their heads or even have Christmas," Cheryl Rose said. "We want to create a Christmas experience that they will never forget and hopefully in the future help families meet those basic needs that they can't on their own."
Rose says that asking for donations has usually been difficult for her, but with such a meaningful cause it has been easy. It has enriched her life, which is something she hopes others will enjoy by contributing to these families.
"It's a privilege for me to associate with these families," she said. "They are such an example to me. Even with all that they've been through, they have such a strength and passion for life. It's almost selfish on my part to be involved because I get so much out of it."
This year's Christmas party will be held Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the LaVell Edwards Stadium Cougar Room. Parents will be invited to the Cougar Room on Dec. 13 to choose the gifts their children will receive. The gifts will then be distributed at the party.
For more information about donating to the Children With Cancer Christmas Foundation, contact Cheryl Rose at (801) 375-5768 or Bob Brockbank at (801) 802-8881. You can also visit their website at www.christmas-foundation.org.
"The support we get from the community makes this event possible," Cheryl Rose said. "We couldn't serve these children without the donations of time, money and gifts we receive."
BYU coach Dave Rose and his wife Cheryl enjoy time at last year's annual Christmas Party conducted by the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
