"Toughest Dog in Texas" Competition

Rowan loves animals, especially dogs.  And he has a special place in his heart for Law Enforcement K-9s.  Rowan's home nurse's husband is a deputy with the Comal County Sheriff's Department, and he allowed Rowan to be involved in the first graduating class of their K-9 training program this past year.  Rowan was asked to go out on the field and hide a pair of car keys for one of the dogs to find.  Rowan was so honored to be a part of that graduation ceremony.  He talks about it all the time, and he knows all of the dogs in their department by name. 

 

Then, a few months later, during one of Rowan's long hospitalizations they made a special visit to the hospital to see him.   Here are some pictures of Rowan reuniting with the K-9 graduates.

 

 

 

 

They even brought him a picture of the Comal County Sheriff Department's K-9 Unit,

signed by the Sheriff:)

 

Thanks Sheriff Bob Holder, Deputy Duane Buethe & the rest of the Department, and a very special thanks to "Rex", "King", "Nitro", and "Titan"!

 

Now, comes the big news...Deputy Duane, along with Comal County Sheriff's Office & the New Braunfels Police Department are holding the first ever "Toughest Dog in Texas" Competition, with proceeds to benefit the Rowan Jameson Windham Foundation.  Please visit the link:

toughestdogintexas.org

and see what an amazing event they have organized for this coming October. 

It'll blow your socks off! Rowan couldn't be more excited or more proud to have the dogs and their handlers participate in this competition in his honor, so he can help out even more kids like himself who are so often hospitalized for their illnesses.

 

Spread the word, come out and watch the fun, and be a part of the first ever "Toughest Dog in Texas" Competition. Rowan will be there, as will all his K-9 buddies.

 

God bless all the K-9 dogs and their handlers, Deputy Duane, and all Texas Law Enforcement Agencies,  as well as all of the sponsors of this wonderful event!

"Pillows for Parents"

After several years of donating items for children who were hospitalized, like toys, blankets, art projects, socks and chapsticks, Rowan and I had a conversation at the hospital one day about parents.  Out of the blue Rowan said, "Mommy, how come we never bring anything for the parents of the sick kids?".  I told him that was a great question, and asked him what he thought would be a good idea.  We decided we would both think about it.  As we went to sleep one night, a few days later, I tried to curl up in the chair next to his hospital bed, and attempted to get comfortable with my flat little plastic hospital pillow.  Rowan watched me as I folded the pillow in half, then folded it in half again, so I could wedge the pillow under my cheek.  Rowan shouted, "I got it Mommy! I know what the parents need.  Better fluffy pillows!" This was the beginning of "Pillows for Parents", sponsored by The Rowan Jameson Windham Foundation. 

This past year was the first year that we did this.  We purchased big fluffy oversized pillows and nice soft pillow cases to go on them.  We delivered them to the hospital on Christmas Eve and they were distributed to parents of children who were hospitalized for Christmas.  The Child Life Department let us know that we had donated the exact number that was needed to cover all the patients families in the PICU, Transplant, and Surgical Wings of the Hospital.  The best feedback we heard was that a couple of the Moms actually cried because they were so excited about their big soft fluffy pillows.  You'd be amazed how far a simple comfort like this can go to make someone's day better, especially when they have likely spent days on end by their sick child's bed, usually sleeping in chairs, recliners or pull out beds. 

 

This idea of Rowan's was one of his best ever! It was so well received, and such a blessing...not just to those on the receiving end, but to us.  It warmed our hearts to know that so many of them would rest easier during that Christmas Holiday, even if they were stuck in the hospital with their sick child.  We hope to continue to run this program every year, during Christmas at least and possibly at other times of the year as well.

 If you are interested in contributing to this project, or have any connections with companies
 who could donate or provide pillows or cases at discounted prices, please contact us anytime.
Thank you very much!
 (*Reminder: we are a non-profit 501-3C charity, donations are tax-deductible.)

"Art for Easter"

One of the Rowan Jameson Windham Foundation's favorite holiday efforts to date,
 has been "Art for Easter", our donation of art supplies. 

Rowan has always loved to draw and paint, and I can't begin to count the number

 of treasured pieces of art that he has created from his hospital bed.   

 

 

 

 

 

(This photo was taken in the hospital, after Rowan made 25 special paintings for the

 Oklahoma tornado victims, for his friend Paige's card drive this Summer.

This art wasn't just therapy for Rowan, it helped Paige reach her goal of over 500 cards,

 and it helped the children in Moore, Oklahoma realize that people all over the country

were thinking of them and praying for them...even kids in the hospital)

 

Rowan also has two very special ceiling tiles at the hospital, which include his art. I drew them, based on what he wanted, and then he and I painted them together.  One has all of his favorite animals on it (especially the Hippo, Watusi & Ostrich), and the other has one of his all-time favorite nurses and himself, both with their Iron Man lunch boxes, at the Infusion Clinic.  Charles passed away unexpectedly this Summer, so this tile will always be an extra special piece of art hanging on the ceiling of the hospital....where Rowan and Charles met each other 7 years ago.

 

Rest in Peace Charles...another Iron Man:)

 

 

 

So, as you can see, it was a no-brainer when we started trying to think of what would brighten the kids days while they were stuck in the hospital.  In Rowan's honor, we collect and purchase ART supplies: paper, crayons, paint, markers, arts and crafts projects of all kinds, and deliver them to the hospital just before Easter.  The Child Life Department is then able to bless the children who are hospitalized during the Easter holiday with some fun, bright, colorful art projects and supplies in their hospital  Easter baskets. We would love to expand this project to include assisting the Child Life's Art Therapy Program in maintaining an abundant stock of necessary art supplies to keep the children of the hospital and infusion clinics busy and happy throughout the year.

Below are some of the pictures of Rowan delivering these goodies (and some baskets of chocolate for the nursing staff:).  Art definitely puts smiles on the kids faces, and Rowan being able to help facilitate that puts a smile on his face.

 If you would like to contribute to this specific project, or if you have any connections with companies who may be willing to donate or discount art supplies, please get in touch with me.  Thank you very much! (*Reminder: we are a non-profit 501-3C charity, so donations are tax-deductible)