Napa Valley JDRF Kickoff Luncheon 2005

For the first time, the North Bay Chapter of the Greater Bay Area JDRF is hosting its own Walk to Cure Diabetes. When registration started, there were only two family teams who had ever participated in a walk: Team Shelby was one of the veterans.

On Aug. 10, the chapter held a Walk Kickoff Luncheon at Brix Restaurant, a Napa Valley favorite. Those of us here at Team Shelby Headquarters attended the luncheon and met the many JDRF staff we’d been e-mailing for several weeks.

We were particularly honored because Team Shelby Mom Liz Corey was asked to be the keynote personal experience speaker for the luncheon. Liz shared our story about how Shelby was diagnosed and we became involved in the JDRF. >> Read Liz’s speech

Below are some pictures of the event so all Team Shelby members can see and experience a little of the enthusiasm and anticipation that is already building in preparation for the Oct. 22 Napa Valley Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Brix Restaurant is located on scenic Highway 29 between Yountville and St. Supery Vineyard and Winery,the location of this year's walk.




The modest luncheon room at the restaurant was packed with JDRF families and supporters.


The corporate walk chairman for the Napa Valley event is Chris Cason, Regional Vice Presidents of Marshall's, a stalwart corporate supporter of the JDRF.


Liz was really nervous about giving the personal story, but she did a great job!


After the luncheon, everyone went out to the patio to pick up the supplies they need for their walk teams.


There were tons of supplies!


Mr. Cason was happy to meet Shelby, who earlier in the luncheon helped pass out awards to the walk's local business sponsors.


After the event, the Brix hostess has the kids help her feed the koi in the pond out front. A great way to end a fun day!

JDRF 2004 awards

JDRF 2004 awards, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Scott, Liz, Shelby and Alex after the awards ceremony Dec. 6, 2004 at the San Ramon Marriott.

JDRF 2004 awards

JDRF 2004 awards, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Shelby gets the silver medal from East Bay Walk to Cure Diabetes chairman Bill Robinson, vice president Pepsi Inc, during Dec. 6, 2004 awards ceremony.

JDRF 2004 awards

JDRF 2004 awards, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

On Dec. 6, 2004, Shelby collected the silver medal for Team Shelby's fundraising efforts in the 2004 East Bay Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Liz leads the official warm up

Liz is serious, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Jazzercise instructor Liz was chosen to lead the official Walk to Cure Diabetes warm up this year! She picked a routine to Britney Spears' "Toxic" because the kids like that song and the routine was fun. Everybody joined in and loved the fun-filled warm up. Hopefully, they'll have her back again in 2005!

They couldn't help themselves

More warmth, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

It was tough for the walkers from all the teams not to join in Liz's inspirational warm up.

Getting warm

Getting warm, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

The crowd joined in Liz's "Toxic" warm-up.

Alex & Shelby on their way

Alex & Shelby on their way, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

With some help holding their signs, Alex and Shelby start out on the 5K Walk to Cure Diabetes at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. Their classmates made the signs with each child signing his or her name on the back. A tremendous inspiration!

Heading out

Heading out, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Team Shelby joins the crowd heading out at Heather Farm.

At the start

At the start, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

All the walkers head out about 9 a.m. from Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. It's a 5K trip that is mostly flat and shady, except for The Hill near the end. Ask anyone who joined us and they'll surely remember that steep incline.

Shelby with sign

Shelby with sign, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Shelby hams it up with a sign her kindergarten classmates made for her.

Alex on the trail

Alex on the trail, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Alex hoisted his sign for most of the walk, though various family and friends helped too from time to time

Shelby finishes

Shelby finishes, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Even after walking the entire 5K, Shelby still looks cute with her Auntie Marianne.

Everyone loves cake!

Everyone loves cake!, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Before we dug into Stacey's wonderful cake, Alex, Shelby and the baker herself pose for some last minute pictures.

Cake closeup

Cake closeup, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Official Team Shelby baker Stacey rendered out T-shirt design in frosting atop the double-layer fudge cake she made for the post-walk BBQ. It was a MAJOR hit!

Team sign at post-walk BBQ

Team sign at post-walk BBQ, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

About 35 people came to our house after the walk for the traditional thank-you barbecue. We proudly displayed the sign the kids and teachers at Shelby and Alex's school signed to root Team Shelby on. We posed with the sign for our official team photo at the walk, too.

Shelby & Bill Robinson

Shelby & Bill Robinson, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Pepsi continues to be a major sponsor of the East Bay Walk for a Cure. For 2004, senior vice president/general manager Bill Robinson was the East Bay corporate recruiting chairman. It's hard to say enough about large corporations offering their talent to help the JDRF.

Shelby at JDRF kickoff luncheon 2004

Shelby at JDRF kickoff luncheon 2004, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

The East Bay's annual Walk to Cure Diabetes kickoff luncheon is held at the Marriott in San Ramon. Here's Shelby mugging from our table.

Shelby & Alex at luncheon

Shelby & Alex at luncheon, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

The kids outside the JDRF luncheon kickoff. The event is a major draw for the local corporate sponsors and a great time for the business and family teams to mingle.

Notice the small black device under Shelby's right arm -- that's her pump!

Shelby & Alex mug with balloons

Shelby & Alex mug with balloons, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Kids love balloons particularly when they are in a fun shape. She's still talking about this ensemble at the JDRF East Bay kickoff luncheon in San Ramon.

Shelby loves balloons

Shelby loves balloons, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Shelby is still talking about these balloons!

Shelby and Amy

Shelby and Amy, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Shelby gets reacquainted with Amy Felsenthal, the JDRF East Bay special events coordinator. Amy helps organize East Bay events, including the annual kickoff luncheon in San Ramon. This pose has become an annual tradition.

Bill Robinson with Team Shelby

Bill Robinson with Team Shelby, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Pepsi Bottling Company vice president/general manager Bill Robinson takes a minute with Liz & the kids at the 2004 JDRF kickoff luncheon in San Ramon.

JDRF day at SBC

JDRF day at SBC, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Shelby gets to know the JDRF staffer at the group's booth at SBC Park on JDRF day 2004.

Lineups please

Lineups please, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Alex runs through the team lineups during the SF Giants/SD Padres JDRF day game at SBC Park.

View from Row 27

View from Row 27, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

On JDRF day at SBC Park, Liz, the kids and Gloria sat in the seats owned by our Liz's Jazzercise pal Leslie and her family. Scott and Mark sat upstairs in the first seats the Corey family sat in for a Giants game at the new ballpark. Giants lost that day.