BYU NewsNet - Fundraiser aims to help respite care

Friday’s Kids Respite will hold its annual fundraiser, Lifting Angels, to raise funds to support disabled children and their families in the Utah Valley at no cost.

Friday’s Kids is a nonprofit organization in Orem and Salem that receives all of its funding from private sources.

Toshiko Dignam, executive director for the organization ,said they have to raise more than $63,000 to provide respite care for disabled children free of charge to the families in the program.

On Saturday, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., this year’s annual fundraiser will be hosted at the Springville Museum. Tickets are $40 and $25 for students.

The fundraiser will include a silent and live auction,

appetizers, dessert and live music.

“One hundred percent of proceeds go directly toward continuing to provide free respite care,” Dignam said.

Amy Powell, media contact, has been volunteering with Friday’s Kids for two years.

“I think this is a great cause … It’s so great to see the children smile and light up as they walk through the door,” Powell said.

Care provided from Friday’s Kids offers a range of therapy.

“This type of respite can help children reduce anxiety and/or depression, decrease problematic behavior as well as help develop their strengths and skills through one-on-one time with volunteers,” Dignam said.

Volunteers can read, play sports or spend time in the indoor playground with the children. This will help them develop their motor, communication and social skills.

Each child is celebrated for his or her strengths and each is encouraged to try new things without fear of ridicule, Dignam said.

A parent whose autistic son participates at Friday’s Kids said he looks forward to his nights at the program all week because the volunteers keep him actively engaged, Dignam said.

The money raised at the annual fundraiser gives the organization the means to care for children on Friday and Saturday evenings while giving their caretakers time off.

“We know that family will have more love and patience for each other as a result of the respite. Those are the most rewarding aspects of being involved with Friday’s Kids,” Dignam said.