Family Fun Day surpasses $1 million for St. Jude

Jake Zall knows he’s lucky to be a healthy kid.

That’s why Zall – along with about 30 other New York City-area kids ages 5 to 18 – is part of the Junior Committee of the Kids for Kids Foundation, an organization that has raised more than $5.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since its founding in 2008.

“If this committee has taught me one thing, itʼs that fundraising is certainly about raising a lot of money, but more importantly itʼs about working together as a team to spread the love and hope that St. Jude brings to anybody that crosses its path,” Zall said. “I'm very lucky to be healthy, and I think every kid should have that chance.”

More than 1,200 people attended the seventh annual Kids for Kids Family Fun Day May 30 at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. This year, the event broke its fundraising record, generating more than $1.06 million for St. Jude.

Activities included carnival rides, face painting, rock climbing, ice-skating and a performance by the Brooklyn United Marching Band. Disney favorites Olaf, Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen, as well as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Spiderman, interacted with the crowd.

Kids for Kids, founded by a group of New York and New Jersey professionals, hosts other fundraisers throughout the year, including a father-son golf outing and a sporting clays event. The Junior Committee this year raised $40,000 on its own through bake sales, school fundraisers and dance-a-thons.

“It has been a privilege to see the Kids for Kids Committee and Junior Committee work together these last seven years to raise over $5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Robert Catalano, the event’s founder. “We believe in the mission of St. Jude and the importance of keeping families strong during their difficult time. Kids for Kids will continue to work towards the goal of eradicating childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.”