A new event has been organized by the Josh’s Angels Foundation in an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer. On Saturday, Sept. 13, the Boyertown Community Park will be transformed into a carnival designed for kids of all ages,.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation-a foundation which focuses its efforts on childhood cancer.
The community is invited to come out from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to enjoy the various activities which will include: Touch-A-Truck, softball tournament, a blood drive and a bake sale held by Girl Scout Junior Troop #439. There will also be food, carnival games and face-painting at the event.
Diana Smith and Pam Reichert, both of Josh’s Angels Foundation, have been organizing throughout the year to bring this carnival to fruition.
Touch-A-Truck has been described by the organizers as a truck display which kids can explore freely. Anything that is ‘different than the average truck,’ is invited to be a part of the activity, according to Reichert. They want the kids to be ‘wow-ed.’ Various groups have already donated trucks, and more are still needed. Those interested in setting up a truck are invited to contact Reichert for specifics at 610-310-0173 or pmoyer111@gmail.com.
In regards to the blood drive, pre-registration is required. Twenty sign-ups are needed to ensure success. The organizers greatly encourage community members that are interested in donating to sign-up online prior to Sept. 13. Go to Miller Keystone, put in 19512, and date, then click on Josh’s Angels to donate.
Smith and Reichert said they are also looking for one more team to participate in the softball tournament. The team should be 10 to 12 players, ages 16 and up. It can be co-ed. There is a fee per team member, which includes the cost of a team shirt.
Willard N. Carpenter, co-author of ‘We Should Take A Walk Someday’ will be at this event signing copies of the book he co-wrote with Miranda Nolte. Nolte, a resident of Gilbertsville, and former student of Boyertown Area School District, earned her wings this past April after a 6 1/2 year battle with Osteosarcoma.
Community members are invited to stop by and meet Carpenter and Nolte’s family. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
This carnival is the first of its kind in the Boyertown area.
‘I had attended a pep rally held by Alex Scott of Alex’s [Lemonade Stand Foundation]-that gave me the idea to do something similar,’ said Reichert, adding that Boyertown already participates in Relay For Life which fights against cancer as a whole. ‘I thought we could drum up awareness and support for pediatric cancer.’ From there, she says the search began for events that would be inexpensive and profitable.
The team is looking to make this an annual fall event.
