While summer is typically thought of as a time when kids are out of school and having a good time, organizers of the Hope for Kids Foundation would like area residents to remember not all kids are in the same situation.
To that end, Hope for Kids will host a free Kids Fun Day on Sunday (Aug. 2) outside Elevation Place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events will include a barbecue, bouncy castle, face painting, kids entertainment and a silent auction. Star Wars characters will be on hand to entertain.
There is a cost for the barbecue, but donations can be made for all other events. All proceeds will help Hope for Kids, a non-profit started by Amanda and Paul Carrington in 2014, provide a helping hand to families who have a sick child.
“It’s our first major event of the year,” said Paul Carrington, “and it’s our biggest event by far. Donors have offered a trip to Vegas (Can-Bow Motors), helicopter rides (Alpine) and gym memberships (Lifeworks and Athletic Evolution), among others for the silent auction.
“Dan Sparks is providing the bouncy castle and we’ll have toys from HiJinx and travel mugs from Of Cabbages and Kings.
“The idea started with just a barbecue and it grew from there. We’re trying to raise as much as we can for families with sick kids and 100 per cent of the funds go to them, we have no staff or administration fees.”
The Carringtons were moved to launch Hope for Kids after suffering the loss of a child of their own in 2012. Their son Ryan, was sick from birth and eventually passed away from brain disease at age three. The couple’s struggles in travelling to Calgary for treatments, while being removed from family prompted them to try and help others in the same situation.
Funds raised by Hope for Kids are now going to half a dozen area families.
