Blog

Nina Roumpf
​Director of Events
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​"Nina and I were introduced to the Hull family about three years ago, through the Keene Central mentoring program. Nina was paired with the Hull’s eldest daughter Katie. A very special relationship immediately developed between Nina and Katie. Their relationship provided us the opportunity to connect with the entire family, which has resulted in a wonderful friendship. While attending the first Gala of Miracles, it was shared that of the total funds raised for cancer research each year, only 4% of those funds go to childhood cancer research. Several times over the months following the Gala we found ourselves discussing how can it be only 4%?  So when Holly and Cole told us that they were forming Hope for Miracles, and invited us to serve on the board, we were honored to be asked to play a part, in not only bringing awareness of the research needed, but in hopes to, and with the help of others, improve on that 4%." ~ Roger & Nina

After graduating with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design, Nina worked for two different private owned women's boutiques, one in Omaha, and the other in Rhode Island. Over the span of twenty plus years, Nina's responsibilities were, but not limited to - buying, merchandising the stores, designing and executing window displays, and sales.
 
After marrying her husband Roger, they founded and were co-owners of GroundWorks; a company that provided complete ground maintenance and snow removal. They also had a holiday division. Nina oversaw the interior side of the holiday business. Holiday being the largest segment of their business; they could employ up to 55 employees. They had 10,000 square feet of warehouse that housed all the decor that clients had them store after the season. Nina and her crews designed, installed and removed holiday decor for Banks, Credit Unions, Casinos, Malls, Hospitals and high-end homes. In January after all decor was removed and back to the warehouse, Nina and Roger would go to Atlanta or Dallas and buy decor for the next season. After 13 years Nina and Roger sold the company.
 
Many clients and friends prompted Nina to use her passion for creating, and love for design that they witnessed while owning GroundWorks. That’s when Nina started Uniquely Nina Event Planning. Her events range from high-end weddings, private parties, fundraisers, bridal shows, and more.
 

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Justin DeCoste
​Director of Grants






"The Hull family has a big heart.  I believe that they are just the people to bring attention to what many families have been through when a child has a Neuroblastoma.  I did not learn of their journey until after their first Gala, and I’m elated to join in their vision for Hope For Miracles.  Through the leadership of this team, we are taking action by partnering with Memorial Sloan Kettering to make advances that will aid in treating children with Neuroblastoma." ~ Justin

Justin is the third generation owner of a local insurance agency, where he has been the head of daily operations since age nineteen.  He withdrew from college after his first year at Clarkson University after the sudden passing of his predecessor.  He enjoys tackling the daily challenges of owning a business, and prides himself in serving his family, church, and community.  He can also be found traipsing throughout the foothills of the Adirondacks when not at work.

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​Farrah Whitney
Director of Fundraising
​& Co-Treasurer





"I have always known that I wanted to work with children.  I have also personally seen the effects of cancer. Being able to combine my love of children, and my dream to see no family struggle with cancer, this makes me hopeful for the future.  Through Holly and Cole’s vision, countless lives will be touched and I am grateful for being asked to join such a great cause!!" ~ Farrah

Farrah’s lifelong dream was to work with children.  After getting her teaching degree she worked in public schools for over fifteen years.  She currently works in Lake Placid as an Early Head Start Home Visitor.  There she is able to work closely with parents and children ages 0-3. 

Farrah lives in Jay with her husband and three children.  Farrah enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with her family. 

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"It has long been a day dream of mine to help raise money for cancer research. To have been given this opportunity to meet amazing people who share my vision of a world without cancer, is truly humbling. This is for you, DAD!" ~ Donna

Donna has always been a ground breaking individual.  In high school, she was the first female president of her school’s local chapter of the F.F.A.  She went on to attend SUNY at Plattsburgh and was a founding sister of PHI SIGMA sorority. She graduated (Magna Cum Laude) with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in education.  At just 22 she secured her first teaching position and has been serving the children of her community in this capacity for 28 years.

She has four beautiful children whom she enjoys spending time with.  She is often seen on the sidelines or bleachers at sporting events cheering them on.  
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Donna recently crossed flipping a house off her bucket list with the help of her husband, Shawn Lafountain. She also enjoys repurposing antique furniture and is the owner and CEO of Re-Fabulous furniture located in Clinton County N.Y.

Our wish for Karson...
We were asked to discuss our journey with Karson and the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. Wild Bill from WOKO put the audio montage together for the Big Change Roundup culmination this weekend. Our Keira took it a step further and set it to pictures. 💛
Please take 3 minutes to watch it. 🎗
Our wish for Karson is to continue to be healthy and enjoy life to the fullest. Hope for Miracles is helping us, and other families like ours, with this wish. Thank you for supporting the Big Change Roundup and Children’s Neuroblastoma Research.
#Blessed #BecauseofKarson #HopeforMiracles #Hope #Miracles #ChildrensCancerResearch #Neuroblastoma #VermontChildrensHospital #BigChangeRoundup

I want to introduce and thank our corporate officers & Directors: Sherri Valenze, Roger Roumpf, Farrah Whitney, Nina Roumpf, Justin DeCoste, Cheryl Dodd and Donna Roberts. I am proud and blessed to lead a team of individuals with such heart and drive. Though our steps may be small… “Small things done with great love will change the world.” – Mother Teresa

Together, we WILL bring hope to families of children with Neuroblastoma by funding research for life saving trials and cures. We will NOT give up!
#BecauseofKarson #HopeforMiracles #Blessed

And then there were three . . . We already have our 3rd sponsor and it's still only January! We want to thank  Chris Thomas, of Thomas Construction, for sponsoring our event for the 2nd year in a row!!! 

If you are interested in being a sponsor or would like more information, please reach out to us at info@hopeformiracles.org.

#Blessed #GalaofMiracles #HopeforMiracles #BecauseofKarson

The sponsors keep coming in.... We want to thank DeCoste Insurance Agency for offering to be a sponsor for the Gala again this year! #WhataCommunity #HopeforMiracles #GalaofMiracles #BecauseofKarson

We want to send a big "Thank You" to Peru Federal Credit Union for being a sponsor for this year's event! This is the second year that PFCU has been a sponsor. #Blessed #HopeforMiracles #GalaofMiracles #BecauseofKarson