By MEGHAN McCOY, mmccoy@breezenewspapers.com
A golf tournament will be held in April for a non-profit organization that brings cheer to children who are hospitalized for cancer treatment.
For the Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides humor and laughter to children who are coping while hospitalized at the Children’s Hospital. The foundation was formed to reach out to the children, who are constantly in and out of the hospital for treatments by lifting their spirits.
Executive Director of For the Kids Foundation Sean Hoover said the foundation was organized in 2006 by him and his wife Jennifer because their son, Ethan was diagnosed with cancer and became a patient at the oncology clinic at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
“We, of course, were heart broken over the diagnosis of our son, but quickly decided to not feel so sorry for him and to support him as much as we could,” he said.
Ethan, who is now 7, has been cancer free for five years. He also helps out as much as he can with the foundation.
“It is a way for us to give back and help out because it is something we have a personal connection to,” Hoover said.
The Drive Against Childhood Cancer inaugural for the Kids Foundation Golf Classic charity golf tournament will be held on April 16 with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Registration is $50 per player or $160 per team, which includes 18 holes of golf, food and cart fees.
Those interested in registering can call the foundation at (239) 541-0461 or by email at 4thekids@embarqmail.com. The deadline to register is April 6.
Hoover said they received a verbal commitment from Everblades players Ernie Hartlieb and Mike Grenzy that they will be attending the event.
The event also will feature raffles for round-trip airfare tickets provided by Allegiant Airlines, golf merchandise and gift cards, along with a few golf contests.
The tournament will be held at Coral Oaks Golf Course, 1800 N.W. Ave.
Hoover said they would like to make the fund raiser their signature annual event for the foundation.
He hopes the event will attract at least 50 players to help fund the programs the foundation provides for the children.
Those programs include events, treasure chest, quarterly family dinners, books and magazines, holiday cards, Spring Bling yearly dance and an annual party.
The events are a treat for the children because the foundation brings in a musician, juggler, or professional story teller to interact with the patients. Hoover said they also get snacks of cookies and crackers, along with a drink.
The Spring Bling yearly dance is a hit for the children because of the DJ, dance floor and games that accompany the event. Hoover said they make sure the girls and boys have something to wear to the dance to make it a special night. He explained that the girls have their make-up done as well.
Hoover said the foundation includes the parents by providing them with cards on holidays, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, to let them know “we are thinking about them.” A small gift card is also included in the card for the parents.
Once a year the foundation also holds a clothing drive for the kids, so they can provide them with regular pajamas, underwear, socks and clothes to change into if need be. Hoover said they foundation donates kid’s themed bandages to the Children’s Hospital as well.
“It’s amazing what little things do to bring a smile to their face,” he said about the band-aids. “It makes a difference.”
For more information visit www.4thekidsfoundation.org.