Magic of Caring Event Benefits Children with Arthritis

April 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The Arthritis Foundation’s West Palm Beach Chapter and Volunteers recently held the 15th Annual Magic of Caring Event at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott.  The event, held April 1st, was held as a benefit for children with rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic diseases; to allow them the means to go to a special camp, “Camp Funrise”, for children with similar afflictions.  

This year, almost 200 tickets were sold for the always entertaining event.  Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch, silent auction and raffles with donated goodies from local companies, a passionate speech given by Ali Boyle; a 23 year old afflicted with Arthritis, great music and emcee Pat Murphy from WPEC News.  The event wrapped up with a fashion show in which the 17 models were all children, ages 17 and under, who had a form of the disease.

“We raised $107,000 this year…..best ever!! There were 180 people in attendance and 17 models,” said Susie Rhodes who works for the Arthritis Foundation.  “About $1000 will send one child to Camp Funrise for the week, so we are ecstatic that will be able to send a lot of children to camp this year,” said Christine Pitts, committee co-chair of the event.  “The kids look forward to camp all year long and really love a place where they can just have fun with other kids like them,” continued Mary Hammond, committee co-chair. Some children who recently attended camp share their experiences:

•   I loved attending Camp Funrise because the people were super nice, and always took care of each one of us individually. The camp gave me a chance to relate to other people and to experiment a lot of activities that I would have never been able to do on my own. Camp Funrise was a place I called home.  ~Noor

•   Camp Funrise was a wonderful experience. I had a great time! I can’t wait for next year. ~Steven

•   Camp Funrise was a fun and exciting experience I will never forget! ~Peter

•   I liked Camp Funrise because I met a lot of nice people and had a lot of fun. It was great to meet other kids like me! ~Nathan

The children especially love walking down the catwalk and strutting their stuff in the clothes provided by Bealls Florida Store.  Again, David Donten, representing the C Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation, announced that each model was able to choose their favorite outfit which they had modeled as a gift.

This event and the wonderful affect it has on children would not be possible without generous support of its sponsors:  David Donten with the C Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation, Tire Kingdom, Arthritis Associates of South Florida, The Rose Marie & Ted J Miller Family Foundation / Ackerman Senterfitt, Florida Crystals, Toshiba Business Solutions, Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates of Palm Beach, Bristol Myers Squibb, Davinci Radiology, Dennis & Cheryl Cummings / John & Patti Rath, Dorothy Bradshaw, Genentech, Suzanne Holmes and Deborah Jaffe as well as the compassionate and dedicated event donors and service providers.

For more information on the Arthritis Foundation or Camp Funrise please contact The Arthritis Foundation at 561.833.1133 or visit www.arthritis.org.