Carnival of Courage Brings Fun & Joy
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Months and weeks of planning and preparation all led towards one day, July 14, 2012. The day 21 families who have children with the rare disease of MPS met together to celebrate life and enjoy one another.
The Carnival of Courage is designed to give MPS children and their families a wonderful day of encouragement and love. We understand the toll the disease takes on the child…and the family.
This year, 21 children affected by MPS with family members attended and the total attendance fell close to 200. Quite the party!
A wonderful lunch of ChicFilA was enjoyed, along with an entire buffet of sides and desserts brought by the families to share together. Each family introduced their child, the type of MPS by which they are affected, family members present, and how many years they’ve attended the gathering. Carnival games were played and prizes were chosen. Cotton candy and root beer floats were deliciously consumed. 🙂
A professional photographer volunteered her time to take a family photo of each family and a group picture, as well as many others. A caricature artist drew his heart out for 2 hours straight, capturing many great memories.
No party is complete without a massage therapist on hand to massage away neck and shoulder aches!
Canines for Companions were present again this year with five dogs petted and loved on by all the children. (ok, except for one of mine who was afraid and stayed in the kitchen. ;0) )
Truly a day of encouragement and fun, we are very thankful for the grant provided by the National MPS Society to assist in the cost of this monumental day.
Many thanks to the following donors:
Bill & Sharon Glasscock of Laurel Creek Hardwoods
Kevin & Stefani Harris of Tuttle Crossing ChickFilA
Liz Flurry, Thirty-One Gifts Consultant
Deirdre Haman, Mary Kay Consultant
Diane Hartman, Massage Therapist
Kari MacKeverican, Photographer
Marty Marlatt & friends, Canines for Companions
Chris & Lou Slavik
Barb & Flossie Pryor
Ronee Burnside
Event Assistants:
Rich & Deirdre Haman & family
Jack Willer
Stacy Williams
The Perrine sisters & crew
My husband, Matt and awesome helpers, Tiffany, Michael, Tristina & Samuel
Zach Hayter
Jake Maynard
God is good and His provision was evident in multiple ways through this event. Can’t wait to share more stories with you, but for now, soak up the thought that life is a gift and we must remember to enjoy each day to the fullest!
I missed this until today…saw the FB photos and loved the fun everyone clearly was having!
I’m so thankful it all came together well and I am still praying for how God might continue to use the glimpses of Him that were spread on Carnival day…I was rereading part of the Heaven book yesterday…and thought of this joyfull crew!
Thanks a ton for your contribution!!! Heaven will give the rewards. 🙂 Bless you, Friend!
Such a small part that we got to have in serving in the kitchen. The blessing was truly ours for being giving the opportunity! I would just like to encourage anyone reading this that you really should just take 1 day of your life and watch this event in action. Your heart will be full when you leave.
Thank you so much for hosting such an amazing event. You make it look so easy to gather such wonderful families and helpers into a spectacular four hours, but we know it took a lot of effort and love.
Thank you Friend! No lie that it is work, but I love every minute of it. 😉 My poor family on the other hand… lol
Evenin’ sister! What a success! I’m thankful for all of the love and support you received! Thanks for keeping us updated… Blessings and prayers out from Maine tonight girl, Amy
You know how to throw a party! Congrats on the success of your carnival. Glad it went well and thanks for sharing. Be blessed 🙂
You are funny! It is such a blast every year! 🙂