MUSCATINE, Iowa — Muscatine resident Don Reinier is glad he won’t be camping out this weekend with temperatures predicted below 20 degrees.

But he and his family will pitch tents next weekend for a 24-hour camp out beginning  at noon Saturday, Jan. 31.

This is the second year Reinier, his wife, Debbie, and their children, Sam, 9, and Emily, 18, will stage their Camping for the Kids fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network in the parking lot of Muscatine’s Wal-Mart.

Don, who began working at Wal-Mart 12 years ago, said the company is a longtime supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network.

The fundraiser is staged in honor of Don and Debbie’s son, Ben Reinier, who died of colon cancer on Sept. 2, 2003, at age 10.

“Ben was such a kind and lovely child,” said Debbie. “We want to help others because we know that’s what Ben would do.”

When Ben battled cancer, he received encouragement and assistance from the Children’s Miracle Network, which is affiliated with hospitals across the United States and Canada, including the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, where Ben received treatment.

Proceeds from the family’s  camp out will be presented at the annual 24-hour Dance Marathon, a fundraiser for the Childrens Miracle Network, which takes place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7, at the University of Iowa Memorial Union.

The marathon, which began in 1994, raised more than $1 million last year to help children and their families.

Don Reinier encourages other families, groups and organizations to establish their own awareness and fundraising efforts and bring their contributions to the annual marathon.

“This benefits other area children,” said Don. “Anyone can raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, we’re just the ones who are getting it going.”

Debbie said the Children’s Hospital recorded 5,447 visits from Muscatine County children in 2008. Not all of those patients had cancer, she said, and the Children’s Miracle Network also assists families of children who have other medical needs.

Donations can be made by check or cash at the campsite or ahead of time at various Muscatine businesses or online.

Debbie Reinier said she’s encouraged by the support her family receives from the community.

Last year, some of Ben’s classmates helped and their presence reassured Debbie that her son will not be forgotten.

This year, the Reiniers mailed fundraising requests to area business in advance of the camp out and have received $900 in donations since Jan. 7.

“Last year, I was the coldest I’ve ever been when we camped out,” said Don. “But that’s nothing compared to what these kids go through.”

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com

Details

Online: Learn more about the Dance Marathon and the Reinier family’s Camping for the Kids fundraiser at http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/childrensmiraclenetwork/index.html

What: Second annual 24-hour Camping for the Kids fundraiser

Who: Campers are the Reinier family of Muscatine

Where: The parking lot of the Muscatine Wal-Mart, U.S. Highway 61 N.

When: Saturday, Jan. 31-Sunday, Feb. 1

Why: To raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network at the Children’s Hospital of Iowa

Donations: Can be given to the Reiniers during the camp out, made online at  http://kidsmiracles.org/reinier and dropped of at these area businesses: Taco Johns, 506 Grandview Ave.; Pizza Ranch, 106 Ford Ave.; West Side Store, 2201 Houser St.; PlaMor Lanes, 1411 Grandview Ave.; and Blockbuster Video, 2609 Second Ave.