Past Events

Nothing Butt Smiles

Nothing Butt Smiles

Kick off SUMMER with a fully roasted pork roast (aka pork butt) and help fund wishes for Young Adults fighting cancer ages 18-24. They do not qualify for Make-A-Wish (ages out after 17) but need the hope of a WISH.

Our good friends at Smokin Coop BBQ make an amazing pork roast!

HURRY- MUST PRE ORDER BEFORE MAY 13th!

LIMITED Quantity available! (we have sold out 3 years in a row!)

Order your juicy pork butt smoked to perfection by the Smokin Coop in Belvidere. Pick it up on May 27th 4-7pm or May 28th 11-2pm (early on request) at Smokin Coop in Belvidere.

Shamrock 5K Beer Run

Shamrock 5K Beer Run

Join us for beer, running, beer, walking, beer, stumbling, beer & partying at Rockford Speedway! This year we want to make your experience even more fun and enjoyable! Check this out:

  • Post Race Party will be Indoors this year!
  • The festivities begin Saturday, March 18th at 12:00pm at the Speedway! The walk/run starts at 12:00 Noon and we'll keep the party going until 3pm this year!
  • All registered participants get a souvenir beer glass, Shamrock Beer Run long-sleeve T-shirt and an event medal for completing the course.
  • This is a race course like no other! We feature 3 local craft breweries along the course route, so participants receive an (optional) 3 ounce sample from each brewery along the route, and are greeted with a 16oz pint of their favorite choice at the finish line

Tickets: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/LovesPark/ShamrockRockford5KBeerRun?raceRefCode=RQsWD5BL

Don't miss Grammy's Online Auction starting March 4 and ending at the Shamrock 5K Beer Run!

From Wisconsin Supper Clubs, to ziplining and lots of cool beers/wines you will find a POT O' GOLD at the auction

Check it out here!

We are grateful for our event sponsors!

Leprechaun Sponsors:

GOLF FOR JOY

May 20, 2022 -- Bartlett Hills Golf Club

Bartlett Hills Golf Club, 800 W Oneida Ave, Bartlett, IL 60103

Sign up today!

Nik's Wish is an all-volunteer charity that makes wishes come true for brave young men and women battling cancer.

These are young adults like Jack who should be starting out on their life's adventure, attending university, learning a trade, moving into their own place, etc. But instead, they are fighting for their lives.

And with your help, we can bring them moments of joy during their darkest days.

Sign up to golf or become a sponsor and you'll be directly helping make wishes come true! And here is what you get in return:

First, everyone who registers for the event is entered into a raffle drawing for a chance to win a week-long stay for four at a beautiful condo on Marco Island, FL. Imagine you and three friends enjoying amazing golf in the warm Florida sun, and all you have to do is sign up.

But wait there's more. The tournament will be scramble format with lowest total gross score for each foursome. The top three finishers will receive cash money!

But wait there's even more! We have a hole-in-one contest, putting contest, longest drive and closest to the pin contests for both men and women.
But wait, there's even more!! Out on the course, we've designated several holes where you can have a ton of fun and remove strokes off of your team's total score!

The "Corn" Hole. If your foursome can make 3 out of 4 bean bags into the corn hole, you can reduce your team's score by 1 stroke.

The Butt Hole. Enter for a chance to win a smoked pork butt from our friends at Smokin Coop BBQ

The Wine Hole. Wet your whistle and enter to win a fantastic bottle of wine.

The Frisbee Hole. This is our tribute hole to Jack who LOVED playing frisbee golf. Try your hand at getting the frisbee in the "hole" and you can win some really cool stuff!

Swimming Hole. Get your chipping wedge out and try to sink a shot into the watering hole and if 2 in your foursome do it, you can remove 1 stroke off your team's score.

Ace in the Hole. Pick a card, any card. But if you pick an Ace, you can remove a stroke off of your team's score.

String Hole. Here you can buy an arm’s length of string and move your team's putt that much closer to the hole!

The Hole Shabang! The choice is yours, you can either participate in each event on the day by donating $10 at each at the holes (for a total of $70 per person). Or, if you don't want to bother with carrying cash on the course, you can sign up in advance for only $50 and get the hole shabang (you get to participate in every event). Donate, Save and Enjoy the Hole Shabang!

Golf for Joy is all about having fun and raising money to help bring joy to those who need it the most! Courageous young men and women fighting cancer who are outside the age limits for Make-a-Wish. Young people like our very own Jack Eckholm.

Sign up today to golf for joy and help honor Jack’s memory and raise much needed donations to help the many wishers in waiting!
$500 per foursome ($125pp) which includes golf, cart fee, lunch at the turn, golfer appreciation gift, and a chance to win a golf vacation for four in Marco Island, Florida!

Sign up today!

#GetBUZZED to Fight Cancer event and Poker Run

*Details Coming Soon!*

For more information, please see our Facebook event page here.

Virtual Wine 5K Run/Walk

Anytime from Anywhere!

A race to remember --- Shelter in Place Race!

Now is a better time than ever to stay active, stay connected with others via social media, support Nik's Wish charity, and of course... enjoying a nice glass of wine! We will be raising funding for Caleb and Emily's Nik wishes.

To sign up, click here.

The Wine Run 5k is all about combining our 2 favorite things: Running / or Walking and Wine! Unfortunately, we can't congregate in groups currently, but we can still come together as a virtual community and enjoy fun, fitness, charity, social sharing, and wine!
After your virtual Wine 5K-- have a Google Hang out with your group enjoy some company sporting your Virtual 5K Swag and of course your favorite wine!
Registration Includes:
  • T-Shirt
  • Wine Glass
  • Wine Run Race Bib
  • Finisher Medal
  • Results Posted Online


TO JOIN:
  • Register for the Wine Run / Walk 5k
  • Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) any time in the month of April or May... while observing proper social distancing of course!
  • Send us your results on our online form (your confirmation email will include instructions)
  • Post your pics on our Facebook page (optional)
  • Celebrate your accomplishment and your love of wine in your commemorative Wine Run 5k glass sporting your finishers medal!


For the Facebook page, click here.

To sign-up, click here

Nik's Home Run - Virtual 5K

Just in time for the start of the baseball season! Run from wherever you are and get some of the best Nik Swag!

Registration including shipping is $35
Custom Bib
Baseball cap
Swag Bag
Face mask
Beer Stein
T-shirt (first 100 registrations)


Sign up for Nik's Virtual 5K here.

Nik's Barrel Spirits Tasting

CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

Taste Rare Bourbons, Fine Wines, Craft Beers and a chance to buy 23 year Pappy Van Winkle's!



 

Roll the Dice 5K Virtual Run

Sat May 23 - Tue June 30, 2020

Now is a better time than ever to stay active, stay connected with others via social media, support local charities, and of course... enjoying a nice active run!

The Roll the Dice 5k Virtual Run is all about combining our 4 favorite things:   Running (or Walking), gaming, fundraising, and sweet race swag!  Unfortunately, we can't congregate in groups currently, but we can still come together as a virtual community and enjoy fun, fitness, charity, and social sharing!

Registration Includes:
  • T-Shirt
  • Race Bib
  • Finisher Medal
  • Results Posted Online
  • FREE SHIPPING!!!


TO JOIN:
  • Register for the Run/Walk 5k
  • Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) run or walk any time in the month of May or June... while observing proper social distancing of course!
  • Send us your results on our online form (your confirmation email will include instructions)
  • Post your pics on our Facebook page (optional)

Race Swag:


DID WE MENTION FREE SHIPPING FOR YOUR RACE SWAG?!?

But Wait... there's more:
Remind Friends to sign up and win CASH BACK!!!

When you registered you will receive a unique URL link, so if your friends sign up using this link you are eligible to receive:

3 Referrals= $10 refunded back to your credit card
5 Referrals= $10 more back to your credit card

For Facebook page: click here.
To sign-up: click here.

Chicago Beer 5K at Grant Park

CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

 


Wine Art Music

Cancelled due to COVID-19

Bring Joy - Virtual 5k

Lace-up your running shoes to
BRING JOY & HOPE
with the Gift of a Christmas Wish for
young adults fighting cancer.

Walk/Run 5K from anywhere at anytime
between now and December 31st, 2021

SIGN UP TODAY FOR ONLY $29 (shipping included)

Participants will receive:
Nik's Wish Lamp Finisher Medal
BRING JOY Embroidered Cap & Swag Bag!
First 50 sign ups will also get a Beer Mug!
Post your results & watch our FB page
to see the amazing JOY DELIVERED
for brave young adults like Kayleigh (read her story below).

Then relax in the warmth & comfort
of the Holiday Season,
knowing that you
BROUGHT JOY & HOPE
when needed most :-)

Anna Miller Foundation Golf Outing

September 24th, 2020 Forest Hills Country Club, Rockford, IL
Sign Up Here: 

The Anna Miller Foundation works in conjunction with Nik's Wish to deliver a wish in Anna's memory. Anna was granted a wish from NIk's Wish, unfortunately, cancer took her life before the wish was delivered. The Anna Miller Foundation re-gifts Anna's wish to one of the wishes in waiting.


Anna's story of Faith:
Anna was diagnosed with metastatic Synovial Sarcoma in the late Spring of 2016. On Father’s Day – to the dismay of everyone, a green smiley frog ball was kicked 70 feet high into a tree. After countless attempts, the ball refused to come down. Fast forward through six months of grueling cancer treatments to late January 2017 where this beautiful young woman waits to go to heaven. As her life is coming to its end, her father jokingly asks her, “Anna, on your way up to heaven, would you mind getting the ball out of the tree?” Anna passes into God’s loving arms, but she keeps her promise to her dad – they wake up to find the green ball down from the tree. Thank you Anna –

#GetBUZZED to Fight Cancer event and Poker Run

*Details Coming Soon!*

For more information, please see our Facebook event page here.

Like Running or Walking? Love Wine? This race is for you!

Join us on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at 10:00am for an exciting annual event that features the amazing scenery and landscape of the infamous Rock N Wool Winery, W7817 Drake Rd Poynette, WI!
Registration Includes:

  • T-shirt: Super Soft Ring Spun Cotton t-shirt included!
  • Wine Glass: Shatterproof, Collapsible, and Portable!
  • Finisher Medal: A bottle stopper, corkscrew, and keychain lanyard all in one!
  • Race Bib: Chip timed 5k run/walk
  • Results Posted Online
  • ...and of course, a pour of wine!

Register Here

GOLF FOR JOY

June 30, 2023 -- Bartlett Hills Golf Club

Bartlett Hills Golf Club, 800 W Oneida Ave, Bartlett, IL 60103

Sign up today!

Nik's Wish is an all-volunteer charity that makes wishes come true for brave young men and women battling cancer.

These are young adults like Jack who should be starting out on their life's adventure, attending university, learning a trade, moving into their own place, etc. But instead, they are fighting for their lives.

And with your help, we can bring them moments of joy during their darkest days.

Sign up to golf or become a sponsor and you'll be directly helping make wishes come true! And here is what you get in return:

First, everyone who registers for the event is entered into a raffle drawing for a chance to win a week-long stay for four at a beautiful condo on Marco Island, FL. Imagine you and three friends enjoying amazing golf in the warm Florida sun, and all you have to do is sign up.

But wait there's more. The tournament will be scramble format with lowest total gross score for each foursome. The top three finishers will receive cash money!

But wait there's even more! We have a hole-in-one contest, putting contest, longest drive and closest to the pin contests for both men and women.
But wait, there's even more!! Out on the course, we've designated several holes where you can have a ton of fun and remove strokes off of your team's total score!

The "Corn" Hole. If your foursome can make 3 out of 4 bean bags into the corn hole, you can reduce your team's score by 1 stroke.

The Butt Hole. Enter for a chance to win a smoked pork butt for your 4th of July Party

The Drink Hole. Wet your whistle and enter to win an adult beverage!

The Frisbee Hole. This is our tribute hole to Jack who LOVED playing frisbee golf. Try your hand at getting the frisbee in the "hole" and you can win some really cool stuff!

Swimming Hole. Get your chipping wedge out and try to sink a shot into the watering hole and if 2 in your foursome do it, you can remove 1 stroke off your team's score.

Ace in the Hole. Pick a card, any card. But if you pick an Ace, you can remove a stroke off of your team's score.

String Hole. Here you can buy an arm’s length of string and move your team's putt that much closer to the hole!

The Hole Shabang! The choice is yours, you can either participate in each event on the day by donating $10 at each at the holes (for a total of $70 per person). Or, if you don't want to bother with carrying cash on the course, you can sign up in advance for only $50 and get the hole shabang (you get to participate in every event). Donate, Save and Enjoy the Hole Shabang!

Golf for Joy is all about having fun and raising money to help bring joy to those who need it the most! Courageous young men and women fighting cancer who are outside the age limits for Make-a-Wish. Young people like our very own Jack Eckholm.

Sign up today to golf for joy and help honor Jack’s memory and raise much needed donations to help the many wishers in waiting!
$600 per foursome ($150 pp) which includes golf, cart fee, lunch at the turn, golfer appreciation gift, and a chance to win a golf vacation for four in Marco Island, Florida!

SPONSORSHIPS ARE OPEN!

Sign up today!

Nik's Home Run 7k race - 1.5 mile Walk & Silent Auction

Make wishes happen with your 7k run or 1.5 mile walk! Bringing precious moments of joy to young adults, and their families, fighting cancer. Nik discovered that young adults over 17 are not eligible for a "wish." In fact, most pediatric support programs age out at 18 and adult programs start at 25 leaving a gap for young adults. Nik asked us to help young adults fighting cancer have a wish too!

recent

Shamrock 5K Beer Run

Join us for beer, running, beer, walking, beer, stumbling, beer & partying at our new location, SportsCore One!

This year we want to make your experience even more fun and enjoyable!
Check this out:

  • Post Race Party will be indoors at the soccer center!
  • The festivities begin Saturday, March 16th at 12:00pm! The walk/run starts at 12:00 Noon and we'll keep the party going until 3pm this year!
  • All registered participants get a souvenir beer glass, Shamrock Beer Run long-sleeve T-shirt and an event medal for completing the course.
  • This is a race course like no other! We feature 4 local craft breweries along the course route, so participants receive an (optional) 3 ounce sample from each brewery along the route, and are greeted with a 16oz pint of their favorite choice at the finish line.
Tickets Here!

Don't miss Grammy's Online Auction starting March 1 and ending at the Shamrock 5K Beer Run!

Details coming soon!

12th Annual Nik's Home Run 7K Race, 1.5 Mile Fun Walk & Grammy's Auction

Join Us to BRING JOY!
October 14, 2023, Rockford Rivets Stadium, Loves Park IL (Rain or Shine!) at 9:00AM

7K Race:$100 prize for overall winners, age group awards, t-shirt, and finisher pins for everyone! All participants will have their name entered into drawing for 2 Chicago Bears Tickets

Grammy's Auction: Online bidding opens on Oct 7th at 3pm and closes at 11:00am on Oct 14th at Nik's Home Run. NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN, but may pick up winning bid items at our event.
Click Here to preview the auction and register to bid!
Sign up for the race or donate here.

Highlights of Nik's Home Run - Nikolas Ritschel Foundation from Ryan P Powers on Vimeo.

Golf for JOY!

Saturday, September 23, 2023
8:30am Shot Gun Start
Eagle Creek Golf Club

Enjoy a fun day as we celebrate Max Jones beating cancer & giving back to raise funds to BRING JOY to other courageous young adults fighting cancer!

$500 per foursome ($125 pp)
18-Hole Scramble including Cart Lunch
Appreciation Gift for All Golfers!

AND...
Winning prizes for the top 3 teams!
Hole-in-one, longest putt, longest drive and closest to the pin contests!

Beat the Pro!
Do you have what it takes to beat Erikah, our lady pro golfer?
Erikah Neger is a professional golfer who plays on the Epson Tour and is currently aiming to play on the LPGA Tour very soon. Erikah not only brings beautiful swings but also her wonderful personality. She will be stationed on a par 3 and players can challenge her to a fun spin on a closest to the pin contest.

videos

2019 Niks Home Run

2018 Niks Home Run

2017 Niks Home Run

2016 Niks Home Run

2015 Niks Home Run

Smashed Santa

This was a virtual event- December 2020

We all know the holidays are stressful, even more so now with COVID, so we got Smashed like Santa with our friends and family, far and wide. Each race registration came with an ugly sweater themed long-sleeve t-shirt, unique ornament finisher medal that hangs right on your holiday tree, a pair of holiday socks, and a beanie hat.

We challenged participants to a 5k, 7k race or challenged them to log 25 miles (total accumulated mileage)

Check out the Smashed Santa Facebook page here.

We're fundraising for the cause to make a difference!

You can help fundraise for the cause once you register. Or just make a donation.