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Crafting as a coping mechanism: Holgate’s talents to benefit fellow cancer warriors

April 14, 2021 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Craig Holgate poses with some of his latest items. Craig’s Crafts will have its 2021 debut this weekend at the Mesabi Mall Craft Fair in Hibbing. He plans to have around 200 creations on hand and will be donating a portion of his proceeds to Angel Fund. 

HIBBING — Every item created by Craig Holgate’s hands is one-of-a-kind. 

And so is he. 

“Actually, I’m somewhat surprised I’m still here,” said Holgate Monday while on the road to Duluth for a brain MRI. “I’ve been told a couple of times to get my stuff in order.”

The Hibbing resident is best known as host of The Early Morning Show on WTBX. He’s been open about his cancer battle – one he’s waged for about six years now – on the air. 

“I don’t know what the plan is,” he continued. “I definitely credit my family and friends for their support, and my listeners for their continued support. I don’t know if all that love and prayers are keeping me here or what’s going on.”

Let’s back up to 2015. 

Holgate underwent a routine colonoscopy on the recommendation of his doctor. He had turned 50 months earlier, so it was simply the thing to do.

“I came out with Stage 3 cancer in my colon and in my lymph nodes,” he recalled. “I had no signs, no symptoms.”

Life changed in an instant. 

Holgate endured 8 months of chemotherapy, which doctors believed was successful. His port was removed, and he began a new normal. 

Six months later, he suffered a seizure. 

“That’s when they discovered it had traveled to my brain,” he said. “That has led to four brain radiation procedures and two brain surgeries.”

A full-body scan following the seizure revealed the cancer had also metastasized to his lungs. 

Fast forward to today. 

Holgate gets chemo regularly to combat the 10 to 12 tumors in his lungs. He has a brain MRI about every three months or so. The brain cancer has been stable in recent months.

Cancer has affected his mobility, but it hasn’t robbed him of his creativity. In fact, it’s become a form of therapy.

Holgate is the man behind Craig’s Crafts. His dive into woodwork was spurred by a snowflake – a 3 foot one to be used as outdoor décor, to be exact. 

“We saw the craft project at a craft show the fall after I was given the ‘all clear,’” he recalled. “Without (wife) Tina knowing, I made her one and gave it to her. In the process of making it, I ended up with a lot of small, odd-shaped pieces.”

While growing up, Holgate was witness to his mom’s creative talents. She would always save things and say she’d make something out of them someday. He followed her lead by saving those pieces and began making things out of them.

“Then it morphed into more and more, and things started piling up,” he said. “A friend suggested doing a craft show, so I said, ‘OK, but if I’m going to do that, I want to give back.’”

Holgate’s wood crafts include ornaments, wall hangings and signs with sayings, animal prints, various themes such as holidays, camping and lake life. Some are simple, some are colorful. Some are glittery, some are plain. And yes, he’s made many snowflakes. 

 Most of Holgate’s craft ideas come to him in the middle of the night when he can’t fall back asleep.

“Other times I’ll look at the wood once and not know what to do with it. Then I look at it again, and say, ‘Oh, I’ll do this with it,’” he explained. “Each one is a one-of-a-kind. I never duplicate something intentionally. The main reason I keep everything one-of-a-kind is just because it keeps my mind more involved and keeps my mind off … well, you know what.”

Call his crafting a diversion, and he’ll agree. Making each item unique is part of the draw, part of the challenge.

“It’s a way to keep my mind more engaged in the process,” he continued. “I don’t want to rubber stamp a bunch of the same things out.” 

Holgate estimates he’s made upward of 500 items over the past four years. He plans to show around 200 items at the Mesabi Mall Craft Show in Hibbing this weekend: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 16, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17.

“Shows are fun to do. It’s fun to meet people,” he said. “Some people get really excited when they find an item. That’s fun to see.”

Holgates admits that some craft events prove physically taxing, but it’s the best way for him to share his crafts with the public. He doesn’t sell online, nor reserve items when he posts photos on Facebook. 

“They have to come to the show,” he said.

Feedback on his work is always positive. 

“And, quite honestly, I think people are more inclined to buy when they know a part of it is going to a good cause,” he added. “I put a tip jar out too and people usually tip pretty well. Sometimes the tips outweigh the profits.”

Holgate’s charities of choice are Angel Fund and the Itasca Area Cancer Crisis Fund. He plans to share a percentage of this show’s profits with Angel Fund, which provides financial assistance for Northeastern Minnesota residents battling cancer for expenses not covered by insurance.  

He knew of Angel Fund before being diagnosed with cancer. 

“I had done radio interviews about events they were holding and when cancer hit me, I got a call from them right way saying we have some gas cards for you. It really made an impact on me,” he said. “When you get that diagnosis, usually it comes out of the blue. You don’t know what’s going on, you’re unsure. Then to have someone reach out and say they want to help, that’s a big deal.”

Holgate has long been a friend to Angel Fund, Angel Fund President Kelly Grinsteinner confirmed. 

“Craig is such a great guy, great help and great ambassador for Angel Fund,” she said. “In many ways, we consider him an ‘honorary Angel.’”

His efforts and contributions have directly impacted many fellow cancer patients. 

“He’s already paying it forward, despite the fact that he still battles cancer,” said Grinsteinner. “That’s a true, one-of-a-kind warrior.”  To apply, donate or learn more about Angel Fund, see www.angelfundrange.org. Catch Holgate on WTBX’s 93.9 The Early Morning Show from 5 to 9 a.m. 

Filed Under: Featured, Fundraiser

Paint & Sip Fundraiser

March 23, 2021 by Kelly Grinsteinner

\Gina Seichter, owner of Chalky & Company- Hibbing, MN. Range Chalky Designs, will host a Paint & Sip Fundraiser for the Angel Fund in April.

“One of my main goals is to better serve my community and give back, which is why I decided that my first painting workshop as a small business owner needed to be a fundraiser for something near and dear to my heart, the Angel Fund,” said Seichter.

The in-person event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at Valentini’s Supper Club in Chisholm, which has generously donated the use of their venue for this event. Attendance will be limited to the first 25 paid participants.

“This will be an instructor led workshop. No previous painting experience required,” she explained. “I will guide you step by step, so you can go home with a completed décor piece you will be proud to say you created.”

The workshop, including all painting instruction, will also be streamed live on Facebook for virtual attendance. Message Gina for this option. There are 8 home décor painting bundles to choose from, ranging from $35-$65.

Pictures and project descriptions are listed on the FB event page and under “Angel Fund Fundraiser” on her website www.rangechalky.com. Many projects have multiple stencil choices.

Orders must be placed on the website. Credit card & PayPal accepted. Use Messenger from the website for any order questions or issues.

A portion of the funds raised through this event will go to Angel Fund.

Filed Under: Fundraiser, Uncategorized

Rock for An Angel goes from the ice to paper

March 9, 2021 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Angel Fund’s most successful annual fundraiser “Rock For An Angel” was canceled this year due the lack of a venue and the ongoing COVID pandemic. Instead, the board embarked on its first-ever letter writing campaign.

Here is the appeal sent to hundreds of area businesses and posted on social media. Our goal is to recognize our generous “rock stars” and raise $15,000.

Filed Under: Fundraiser, Uncategorized

Fortune Bay to help raise funds for Angel Fund

February 11, 2021 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Fortune Bay Resort Casino is pleased to partner up with the Angel Fund to help the agency provide financial support to Northeastern Minnesota residents who are battling cancer. 

“Angel Fund is ecstatic about partnering with Fortune Bay Resort Casino,” said Angel Fund Board of Director Kelly Grinsteinner. “While COVID has canceled so many activities, cancer has not been canceled and patients are in greater need now more than during normal times.”

In an effort to raise funds and awareness for the great work that the Angel Fund does, Fortune Bay has set up a promotional box near the main entrance of the casino. Guests are encouraged to put their cash out ticket in the box or leave a cash donation to assist the Angel Fund’s efforts. The promotional box will stay in place until March 31, 2021. 

“With your support, Angel Fund can ensure that all cancer patients requesting financial assistance receive some,” said Grinsteinner. “We thank Fortune Bay and its patrons for helping us spread hope.”

Angel Fund is an all-volunteer nonprofit that offers financial assistance to Northeastern Minnesota residents facing cancer for expenses not covered by medical insurance.

Grinsteinner said that the Angel Fund is anticipating an increase in requests this year as medical offices reopen and more people go in for check-ups. She added that a high percentage of people went undiagnosed in 2020 because of the pandemic (i.e., alterations to medical practices and fear of contracting COVID at medical offices). 

“COVID has also affected our ability to host events/fundraisers, leaving our coffers with less funds than usual,” she said. “We are trying our hardest to continue to raise funds to guarantee we can provide help to all who request it.”

Fortune Bay will provide an additional $500 to the final amount raised.

“As Kelly mentioned, COVID has really hindered their efforts in hosting their traditional fundraisers,” said Fortune Bay’s Director of Public Relations Brian K. Anderson. “The work they do is inspiring so it is our hope that this promotion can help offset some of the losses they will experience as a result of those canceled fundraisers.”

Source: fortunebay.com/index.php/blog/12345

Filed Under: Fundraiser, Uncategorized

A Pandemic Pasta Party

November 20, 2020 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Angel Fund conducted its first Rigatoni Fundraiser Feed on Tuesday, Nov. 10 – wrapping up two hours of serving dinners just in time for a big snowfall.

A total of 323 dinners were served. Ticket holders had the option of drive-up or take-out to get their meals, which included Valentini’s rigatoni with sugo, side salad and Italian bread provided by Super One.

 Our team of board members and volunteers cooked oodles of noodles and had a great time!

The event raised $2,000, which will go directly to area cancer patients to help with expenses while going through treatment.

We’d like to “thank” the following for donating products:

  • Hardee’s of Hibbing
  • Aramark
  • Hibbing Kiwanis Club

And we’re grateful to the following for helping add to the feed’s success:

  • Valentini’s Supper Club, Chisholm
  • Super One Foods
  • Hibbing Memorial Building
  • Express One Print
  • Range Floral
  • Freebs Fitness

A pat on the back to the Hibbing High School Key Club members and community volunteer Linda Perpich for giving their time and efforts. All cooks, servers and volunteers were masked and gloved to ensure safety.

If you are interested in volunteering for future Angel Fund events, please contact a board member, leave a message at (218) 362-6668 or email info@angelfundrange.org.

Filed Under: Fundraiser, Thank you Tagged With: Angelfundrange

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Angel Fund
P.O. Box 114
Hibbing, MN  55746
218-362-6668

Recent Posts

  • Crafting as a coping mechanism: Holgate’s talents to benefit fellow cancer warriors
  • Thank you, Hibbing Foundation!
  • Itasca Area Community Response Fund
  • ‘Warming hearts’
  • Creating Mom’s legacy: Son makes meaningful donation to Angel Fund

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