This event was very important since it was our first Pirate For a Day. Many emails went back and forth with Jenna Edwards, the president of For A Day, and Kenzie Hunnings, the Raleigh Chapter Director who is also studied to become a Child Life Specialist, about what would be the best activities for this event. After much collaborative thinking, the activities and all the details of the event were chosen.
Everyone was extremely excited on the day of the event. We got pirate hats and sticky jewels with which the children were encouraged to decorate their hats. We also got costume eye patches for the children to wear, each with different colors and designs. The children loved applying the different-colored jewels to make their pirate hats uniquely their own. There was only one girl at our event and she put all her creative effort into making her pirate hat eye-catching and beautiful.
For craft activities, we had pirate flags with stick flag-poles. The children loved to put their flags together. We also had different coloring pages with a pirate theme.
We were beyond blessed to have a great photographer at our event. Marykate Stallings from MKStallings Photography was very kind and so intuitively wonderful with the children. She took beautiful photographs of the children that day. There was a teenager who didn't want his photograph to be taken, but after we told him that his photographs were not going to be in social media if he did not want them there, he softened. He said that if his photographs would not be in social media, then he definitely wanted his photographs to be taken, which his mom really wanted. His photographs came out really cool. He had fun during his photography session with Marykate.
We also had Captain Jack Sparrow and Pirate Fairy to come to our Pirate For a Day Event, thanks to a special rate from Houston Hero Headquarters. The children had an amazing time making crafts with Captain Jack Sparrow and Pirate Fairy. They especially loved getting their photographs taken with Captain Jack Sparrow.
The children and the families were able to enjoy a delicious lunch provided by the amazing Dish Society. There were children who could not participate in the event because they were not feeling well, but their family members were able to come and get a plate for them. Dish Society provided lunch for 50 people.
Toward the end, a family came with their child. They were so happy to have their photographs taken and to have lunch. They told me Les agradezco mucho por toda la atención de todo lo que hacen para los niños. Esto es muy valioso para nosotros. We are very grateful for all your attention and for everything that you do for the children (with cancer). This is very meaningful for us.
We want to give special thanks to our amazing sponsors: Elite Urgent Care, Goldfish Swimming School, Smile Sonrisa Dental, and California Pizza Kitchen. In addition, we give thanks to our donors because their steadfast support is what allows us to create Pirate For a Day and every one of these monthly events for children.
Finally, there is a special place in our hearts at For A Day for our each of our dedicated volunteers: Chris Gontijo, Juliana Sanglard, Mary Elizabeth, Melba Lucia Arango, and Vivi Almeida. Thank you! We love you.
There were 7 boys and one girl who participated at our event.
