Lee's Friends
2000 Annual Report

Helping People Live With Cancer
for 21 Years

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT

The Year 2000 has been a banner year for LEE's FRIENDS. On the heels of our successful 20th Anniversary Celebration, we made great strides in the new millennium, attracting more volunteers, raising significant founds to support our mission, and gaining wide visibility for our services. In addition, we laid a solid foundation for moving forward in addressing the transition of leadership at our award-winning organization.

Enthusiastic volunteers developed programs that enhanced our mission, such as those developed in partnership with Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Well-attained Mother's Day Out and Father's Day Out programs brought parents of children with cancer together with our trained volunteers for quiet time and some pampering. Our annual picnic for the first time included oncology patients from CHKD and their families making an already meaningful ocassion more special. 

Especially noteworthy in this Annual Report is the widespread financial support for LEE'S FRIENDS documented in 2000. Overall giving was up, due in large part to a $ 75,000 restricted gift from a charitable trust. In addition, two cancer survivors connected to the British NATO community who received treatments while stationed in Hampton Roads set out to show their appreciation by raising over $5,000 for LEE'S FRIENDS.

Throughout the year, and with mixed emotions we planned for the May 2001 retirement of LEE'S FRIENDS Founding Executive Director Emily Harkins Filler. The board whole-heartedly endorsed long-time Assistant Director Carol Olsen to succeed Emily and added Becky Ruffin to fill Carol's position.

More than ever, we are eager to to continue to serve the cancer community in South Hampton Roads for years to come, to honor not only the memory of Lee Harkins, our namesake, but her mother Emily, who has so capably led this organization to prominence as one of the premier volunteer agencies in the region, state and nation.

It is the long-term commitment and financial generosity of supporters like you who have made LEE'S FRIENDS what it is today. And it will be your continued support that not only sustains us, but allows us to reach more people who need our services. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve an organization that contributes to our community in so many ways.

Sarah Bishop
President, LEE'S FRIENDS Board of Directors

DONOR PROFILE

For the twenty-first years consecutive year, LEE'S FRIENDS has received a 99% approval rating from patients and their families.

The ability to offer our one-of-a-kind personal service is made possible through the generosity of our donors. During 2000, one such donor was the British Community assigned to NATO. In early December, LEE'S FRIENDS learned that we would receive an undesignated donation in excess of $5,000. The fundraising efforts were spearheaded by Captain Ian Hewitt and Mrs. Mary Smith, the wife of British Warrant Officer Frederick Smith. Both Captain Hewitt and Mrs. Smith are cancer survivors who received treatment locally during their assignment with NATO. According to Captain Hewitt, "They were so grateful to the host nation for the excellent medical support they received. It was not difficult to motivate the British community in this area to the USA to start collecting for LEE'S FRIENDS.

The donated monies were raised in a variety of innovative ways. Two officers completed a local marathon and cycle rides were sponsored. A British Admiral joined in the spirit of giving with his "slim-a-thon" challenge. Tremendous generosity came from the UK wives group and, throughout the year the local British Golf Society dedicated every game to raising funds. Captain Hewitt admits to "donating a not inconsiderable sum himself as a result of the many golf matches he lost!"

LEE'S FRIENDS sincerely thanks our friends form Great Britain stationed at NATO for having confidence in our services. It is our commitment to use these and all donated monies to deliver consistent and excellent service to cancer patients and their families in South Hampton Roads.

Officially on May 1 of this year, LEE'S FRIENDS will have a new occupant in the Executive Director's office. Carol Olsen has worked at LEE'S FRIENDS for over nine years and is poised and ready to take over the leadership of our organization.

A lifelong resident of Norfolk, Carol assumes the helm with an impressive academic background. A 1980 graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School, Carol holds a degree in Economics from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Business Administration from the College of William and Mary's Graduate School of Business.

A 2000 graduate of Leadership Hampton Roads, Carol takes an active role in this group serving on the Alumni Board. Carol is the incoming president of the Southeastern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration. Carol also serves on the Board of Directors for the Ballentine, an independent and assisted living facility in Norfolk. She and her family are members of the Christ and St. Luke Episcopal Church in Norfolk. Carol and her husband, Clark are the busy parents of two young sons, Walker and Patrick.

Carol is enthusiastically ready to step up to the job of Executive Director. "I'm looking towards the future with great optimism for LEE'S FRIENDS. We offer a level of service unparalleled in Hampton Roads. Ours is an organization that is set apart from others because of the exemplary care and concern lovingly provided by our volunteers each and every day to cancer patients and their families. During this transition time, our clients can continue to count on us to be there whenever they need us."

Prepared both professionally and personally for the demands of the executive office, Carol brings to her new position the dedicated heart and spirit that is the hallmark of what LEE'S FRIENDS is and will be for years to come.