Flipping for Families to benefit Alana Rose Foundation Nov. 19

In a month focused on gratitude and family traditions, the Alana Rose Foundation invites children of all ages and their families to the 2nd Annual Flipping for Families event from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at MidCoast Gymnastics in Selbyville. At this fundraiser for the nonprofit, there will be guaranteed fun, excitement, creativity and exhaustion for all children.

Children of all ages can twist, turn, tumble and balance, while families revel in their laughter and cheer for them. It is the purest expression of gratitude for the blessings of a healthy child, while providing vital funding for families presently struggling with the uncertainty of a tomorrow.

Parents can watch children travel down the zipline with looks of pure excitement on their faces as they head towars the soft landing in a fluffy foam pit. They can hear giggles and squeals as children run between the bounce house, trampolines, spring boards and spring floors.They can feel the awe of seeing their children engage in games for prizes, and test their physical abilities jumping, balancing, hanging and flipping. Best of all, parents will feel thankful that this is not happening on their couches, beds and living room furniture, and by participating in this event, they will have done something to help a family currently struggling to balance everyday life with the challenges of caring for a terminally ill child.

Admission is $10 per child, with children under the age of 4 welcome to attend for free. Parents and caregivers are also invited at no charge. Included in admission are all of the tumbling, bouncing and gym activities, arts and crafts projects, a live gymnastics demonstration, and for a small price, fresh barbecue platters generously donated by Hocker's and Bethany Blues. Children do not need to be students at MidCoast or have any previous gymnastics experience to participate.

All admission is paid at the door on the day of the event, but children whose parents RSVP before Wednesday, Nov. 15, will receive a special gift from the Alana Rose Foundation upon arrival. To RSVP, go to tinyurl.com/flippingforfamilies.

"As the one who reviews applications from parents in need, seeing these families engage together in a day of pure joy, flipping around to help those children who can't, means so much to me," said Alexa Shoultes, vice president of the Alana Rose Foundation. All of the monies raised through the event will help the foundation continue to maximize the time families caring for a terminally ill child can spend together during their final days, alleviating the burden of financial hardships incurred because of their time in medical facilities.

Additional features of the event that will support the foundation include raffle baskets, a silent auction, snacks, and a $5 per child picture card granting parents access to the professionally photographed pictures taken of their child during the event. "We know from personal experience with our daughter's illness the stress of wanting to be with your child at all times because you know you have limited time, but also knowing you need to be a responsible adult keeping up with your costs of living," said Shoultes.

The Alana Rose Foundation was started by Shoultes and Kyle Prettyman, whose community rallied around them during their daughter Alana's illness. After Alana's passing, they launched the foundation to honor those who supported them in their time of need, and to give back to other families of terminally ill children by providing them with financial assistance to help with travel, housing and living expenses.

For more information, go to thealanarosefoundation.org.