Circle of Friends - Winter Week

February 1998 marked the inaugural Circle of Friends - Winter Week trip. Jerry and Melissa, several nurses, chaperones and children set out on a five-day ski trip to Jerry's hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin. Each February, Jerry and Melissa invite a new group of children to accompany them on the five-day journey.

The trip is very special for the children. During their five days together, they create friendships with other children who share similar struggles with illness. It is a great opportunity for them to talk openly and form genuine relationships. Most importantly, the trip allows the children to forget about their illness for a while and enjoy several outdoor activities such as cross-country and downhill skiing, dog sled and snowmobile rides, campfires and tobogganing.

In 2001, Jerry partnered with Grant Wistrom of the St. Louis Rams to include children from other cities. Together, they have expanded the annual trip to reach approximately 55 people. Each year they include children from the Tampa Bay area, Atlanta, St. Louis and Wisconsin. Jerry and Grant are dedicated to continuing the trip's annual tradition and hope to one day expand the program.

« back to Programs