Annual Champions of Courage Fundraiser Is Back With In-person, All-Ages Fun

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The South Sound Parent to Parent’s annual Champions of Courage event is thrilled to be back live at the Hands On Children’s Museum for an evening of superheroes, exploration, eating, socializing and auctioning – this year, under the guidance of new Fundraising Coordinator, Viktoria Skillingstad. All funds will go towards supporting SSP2P’s Helping Parent Program. On February 25, families, community supporters and the caring public are invited to celebrate superheroes, who come in all sizes. Let’s celebrate that it takes courage to seek support, courage to recognize differences and courage to move forward.

kid playing in smoke
You get to play with all the amazing activities at the HOCM when you attend the Champions of Courage, SSP2P’s annual fund raiser.Photo courtesy: South Sound Parent to Parent

Tickets are $15 each and free for those under 18. You will be able to sample appetizers from Occasions Catering and buy a cocktail if you are over 21. The youngsters from the sib-shops have decorated their bar, which will serve non-alcoholic tea, punch and water. You can test your luck with the Wine Grab for a mere $20. Bottles are wrapped and you might take home one of the higher priced vintages. If you’re not a wine drinker, test your luck at the Grub Grab. You’ll receive a gift card from a local restaurant – maybe your favorite or maybe the chance to try something new. Everyone wins.

Auctions and Children’s Museum Activities

The interactive activities within the popular museum are open to all participants. You don’t even need to bring a child to join the fun. The younger children get to decorate capes and consider their superpowers. Superhero characters will be walking around for photo opportunities and autographs, including but not limited to Spiderman, Superman, and Wonder Woman!

Professional auctioneer, Mark Streuli, speaking into a microphone
Professional auctioneer, Mark Streuli, is back at SSP2P’s annual fundraising event, Champions of Courage. The list of items at the live and silent auctions has something for almost everyone. Don’t miss out. Photo courtesy: South Sound Parent to Parent

With microphone in hand, professional auctioneer, Mark Streuli, will entertain and entice the audience with an impressive list of items including Seahawks tickets and overnight stays at Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and the Lakedale Resort. Allow yourself to be tempted to bid on a private tour and whiskey/bourbon tasting for 16 at Sandstone Distillery, an afternoon of kayaking at Boston Harbor Marina or a generously sized gift certificate from The Olympia Furniture Company. The silent auction features generous donations for health and beauty treatments, sporting events, food, activities and much more. Special pour-art paintings created by the youth, the teens and the staff of SSP2P will be up for auction. “They’ve made incredible art,” says Sylvia Davenport, director of Helping Parent/Transition Program. “It’s stunning and something you need to see.”

Support Helping Parent Program Service Families with Special Needs

youth in SSP2P’s SibShops created pour paint canvasses for the upcoming auction at the annual Champions of Courage fundraiser. Photo courtesy: South Sound Parent to Parent

All proceeds from the evening will go into programming for the Helping Parent Program. South Sound Parent to Parent knows that raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming, isolating, and complex for all family members. The program offers emotional support, connections to community resources, peer mentorship and fun family experiences. “We match parents to walk beside each other throughout this journey,” says Sylvia. There are specific support groups for mothers, fathers and siblings. Help is provided to families with their children from birth onwards.

Great strides have been made in the Mason County area with Angie Godinez, bilingual Helping Parent coordinator. “She’s a huge part of the program,” says Sylvia enthusiastically. One example of Angie’s incredible work is creating a Latino mother’s group.

The Helping Parent Program organizes family activities throughout the year. Families with special needs cannot easily participate in otherwise ordinary venues. South Sound Parent to Parent knows this and makes sure the venue has a quiet space when children are overstimulated. Other accommodations are made so that everyone is comfortable.

Longstanding South Sound Parent to Parent Supports Families and Community

kids and parents sitting at large round tables
SSP2P provides programming for families with special needs. Photo courtesy: South Sound Parent to Parent

South Sound Parent to Parent is a reliable resource for diverse programming for families with a child who has a chronic illness, a developmental delay or disability. Those challenges may be mild, moderate or severe. Over its 36-year history, the nonprofit continues to seek out and understand the people it serves, especially in groups that are under-represented or underserved need support. Support is tailored to the unique situation of each family.

Event Sponsors

South Sound Parent to Parent is deeply grateful for the Champions of Courage sponsors.

Champion Sponsors

Molina HealthCare and TwinStar Credit Union

two  girls at an activtiy table at Hands On Children's Museum
Siblings who have a family member with special needs get their own support group, SibShops. Photo courtesy: South Sound Parent to Parent

Hero Sponsor

Coordinated Care

Fearless Sponsors

OlyFed and Olympia Sheet Metal, Inc.

Lion-Hearted Sponsors

Ernie’s Inc., JT Painting, Olympia Pediatrics and Rhino Linings

Join the joyful evening and make memories that will last a lifetime. “This is an incredible way to reach out to and support our community,” adds Sylvia. She is coming up to her 20th year at South Sound Parent to Parent. “SSP2P is a great place to be. I am so blessed and amazed that we serve upwards of 4500 people in our community annually!” she says.

You can find more information about all the programming on the South Sound Parent to Parent website and register for the event here, too.

Hands On Children’s Museum
414 Jefferson Street SE, Olympia
Saturday, February 25, 2023
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Sponsored

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