Local woman’s photo chosen for Jones Soda Co. label

When Deneise Bucko, a local photographer, set out to illustrate an invitation for a fundraiser this summer, soda was the last thing on her mind.

She donated her time, skills and a photo to a smaller, local nonprofit called Beats and Rhythms, which puts on summer camp for children with congenital heart disease.

“The photo turned out really well and when my own kids saw it they begged me to send it to Jones,” said Bucko. “It’s something like their lifelong goal to get on the Jones Soda bottles.”

Jones Soda Co., which makes flavors such as fufu berry, tutti-frutti and cane cola, encourages its fans to send in snapshots, which may be chosen for one of the company’s labels.

Bucko’s photo was picked and was launched on Jones labels in June.

Beats and Rhythms, which was started by Spokane cardiologist Dr. Carl Garabedian, raised about $5,000 at its June fundraiser called Rhythms and Brews.

“I think about 200 people came through that day,” said Katie Lowderback, fundraising coordinator and board member for Beats and Rhythms. Lowderback works together with Jen Smith on fundraising for the 501c (3) nonprofit organization.

“We definitely are a small organization – we had our very first golf tournament this year, and we are trying to get some bigger things going,” said Lowderback.

Beats and Rhythms hosted 55 children with heart disease at Camp Gifford for three days this summer. Lowderback said many of these children can’t go to regular camps because of the physical limitations that sometimes come with congenital heart disease.

A nurse at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Lowderback said that the group tries to provide normal camp experiences such as rock climbing and zip lines for the kids. The one major difference is that many of the adult supervisors at Beats and Rhythms’ camp are doctors and nurses.

“That makes the parents feel better about it all,” she added.