Join in the celebration for the Diamond Anniversary of Champions of Courage, the annual South Sound Parent to Parent evening of family fun and fun(d) raising. Everyone is invited to the party on February 24, 2024 at the Hands On Children’s Museum. “It’s an opportunity for the families we serve to meet with the general public,” says Executive Director Kim Smith. “It brings the community together.”
The agency provides life changing support for families with a child experiencing developmental delays or other disabilities. “We don’t want people to do without services because they don’t know about them,” she adds.
Champions of Courage Live and Silent Auctions and Children’s Museum Fun
Champions of Courage (COC) will be an evening of museum exploration, socializing, eating, meeting superheroes and bidding on auction items. Tickets are $20 a person or free for those under the age of 18. All funds support the Helping Parents Program. COC recognizes that courageous people come in all sizes and ages: being different from others for any reason can cause challenges.
For extra fun and inspiration, event goers will get to mingle with other superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. “This event is for our families, whether from the past, present or to be served in the future,” encourages Alexi Prante, administrative assistant for theHelping Parent Program.
“The best part of the auction are the baked goods,” says Shawn Thurman, outreach coordinator. Staff members and local bakeries have goodies to offer. “Kids can do this and can bid during this fun time,” she adds. Her 11-year-old daughter is already looking forward to managing her own allowance for bidding.
There will be more extravagant items in the auction, too. How about a two-hour private wine tasting class at Total Wine for 20 people ? Or four Seattle Mariner tickets for a home game sitting at the Terrace Level?
A variety of hot and cold finger foods will be prepared by Hunter Family Catering. “They did such a phenomenal job for our summer barbecue event that we wanted them back. It’s a local family,” says Alexi.
Alcohol will be available for purchase. There will be a specialty cocktail using Tito’s vodka. Beer from Well 80 and wine from Sol Stone Winery are other options. Youth in the sib-shops will be serving non-alcoholic drinks including Power Up Punch, water, pop and horchata. “We have a lot of fun,” says Alexi who helped in the booth last year.
All of the South Sound Parent to Parent staff with be in attendance and wearing identifying t-shirts to make it easy for people to know who’s who. Spanish speaking staff will have extra identification as they roam the building to translate for anyone who needs assistance.
Helping Parent Program Serves Thurston County Families with Extra Needs
Proceeds from Champions of Courage will go directly to the Helping Parent Program. “I see where that money goes firsthand and see the benefits of the money we raise. It’s amazing,” says Alexi. Parents receive emotional support, access to community resources, and peer mentorship. Raising a child who needs accommodations can be overwhelming, isolating, and complicated for all members of the family. Participants make connections through family events and numerous educational opportunities. There are specific support groups for moms, dads and siblings. Help is available for families from birth onwards. There are team members who provide supports, events and materials in Spanish for equitable access to services.
“I see what the agency does and how we help each other throughout the year,” she adds. “Families are so excited and appreciative.” These activities are designed so that all families can easily participate, which is not ordinarily the case. For example, there will be a quiet space at the museum for children who get overstimulated. There will also be a place where parents can leave their child with staff for brief time while they look at the auction items or find a bite to eat and something to drink.
South Sound Parent to Parent Maintains Deep Connections with Families and our Community
South Sound Parent to Parent is approaching its fourth decade of reliable and inclusive programming for families with a child who has a developmental delay, a chronic illness or disability. Some concerns are minor and early intervention is powerful. For example, a speech or hearing challenge can get significant help long before the child goes to school. The agency seeks to understand the people who are served and create new avenues of support for those under-represented or underserved. “Where we see a need in the community, we create a new program like Bright Beginnings,” says Shawn. This newer program provides assistance for children and their families while they wait for or have received a formal autism diagnosis.
Get Tickets for Champions of Courage
You don’t have to have a developmentally delayed person in your family to attend. “We want everyone to feel welcome and see the love and compassion we have for each other,” says Alexi.
It’s an evening for everyone to create memories.
Go to the South Sound Parent to Parent website for comprehensive kinds of information including event registration.
Champions of Courage Sponsors
Community partners make all the difference for successful events. Thank you to all the following:
Event Sponsors
Heritage Bank
Olympia Pediatrics
TwinStar Credit Union
Mason General Health
Wolbert’s Plant Essentials
Coordinated Care
Lifespan Construction
Event Donors
Get Stitched Handmade – Alyssa Sanchez
Ethos Jewelry – Nicole Teut
Sensory Tool House
Lynch Creek Farm
Tyler R.
Amanda C.
Habakkuk Family
Thurston County Sherriff Office
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority
Enigma Escapes WA
Icicle Brewing Company
Burke Museum
Woodland Park Zoon
Medicine Creek Winery
Seattle Mariners
Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor
Lena Porter Photography
Thurston County Mom to Mom Support Group
Legends Arcade
Wild Waves Water & Theme Park
Thurston County Sibshops Group
South Sound Parent to Parent Staff members and families
Champions of Courage
Hands on Children’s Museum
414 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia
Saturday, February 24, 2024
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sponsored
