Day for Kids Reconnects Adults, Kids
More than 5,000 people chose to endure the heat and attend the fifth annual Day for Kids, sponsored by the City of Santa Clarita and the Boys & Girls Club, held at Newhall Park in Santa Clarita on September 25th.All food, entertainment, prizes, and activities were absolutely free. With temperatures over 100 degrees, the snow cones and bottled water were especially popular. Hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, candy, and cookies were also available.
Children earned prizes in a variety of ways, including spinning wheels, tossing bean bags, ping pong balls or rings, and playing golf or hockey. They enjoyed obstacle courses, magic shows, face painting, playing in a bounce house, sitting on a pony, listening to live music, and watching a variety of performers.
All children also received tickets to enter raffles throughout the day. Prizes included 20 bicycles, tickets to Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain, an iPod, gift baskets and In-N-Out Burger gift certificates.
Stage performers at Day for Kids this year included Detour, the Icebreakers, Brieanna James, and Mandy Rain. Several local dance groups also took the stage.
While many Americans recognize the link between spending meaningful time with their kids and the tough issues facing young people, they say they don’t have the time, skills or resources to do as much for their children as they feel they should. Through Day for Kids, the Boys & Girls Club of America encourages every American to play a part in ensuring a brighter future for our young people by getting involved and becoming more engaged in a young person’s life.
“Day for Kids is set aside to foster stronger relationships between adults and children by educating them of the importance of spending meaningful time together,” Jim Ventress, chief professional officer for the local Boys & Girls Club, said. “We hope this event facilitated open communication again between parents, mentors and kids and that it will reenergize the community about helping our young people reach their full potential not just today, but all year long.”
The 2010 Day for Kids sponsors for Santa Clarita, one of the largest events in the country, were Coca Cola, Castaic Lake Water Agency, Crossroads Community Church, Gamers Paradise, McDonald’s, Mountasia Family Fun Center, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Walmart, and Westfield Valencia Town Center. The Signal, KHTS 1220AM, The Magazine of Santa Clarita, and Radio Disney were media sponsors.
If you’d like to be part of this exciting community event next year, please contact Jim Ventress at the Club at (661) 254-2582. Donations of supplies, time, and services are always needed.