Having fun with Sunshine Bear at Fall Fest at the River are Holly Ross (left) and her sister Sunshine Kid Lauren Ross. Photo by Daniel Arizpe Photography.
The Champions office of Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors raised more than $33,000 for the Sunshine Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that provides free emotional support and group activities to young cancer patients, at the “Fall Fest at the River” event Sept. 21.
“We are so pleased to have doubled last year’s amount,” said Sharon Teusink, office manager. “It was a great event that raised awareness—as well as a nice check—for The Sunshine Kids.”
Hosted at the Red River Dance Hall & Saloon in Tomball, the festivities included charity blackjack, a wheel of fortune, live and silent auctions, and music and dancing.
Making a special guest appearance was Sunshine Kid Lauren Ross and her mother, Nikki, who spoke about the impact the organization has had on their family.
“Nikki spoke from the heart about what The Sunshine Kids does—how it helps children enjoy life the way children should,” said Jennifer Carmichael, event coordinator. “The Foundation gives kids a chance to not worry about how they look and what they are going through. They just go have fun.”
The organization needs continued financial support in order to keep up the work of helping kids with cancer.
“It is such an incredible group that serves children throughout the whole nation,” Carmichael said. “These kids are in the hospital for such long periods, and Sunshine Kids helps them make it through their treatments. It helps them get through the hardest parts of their young lives.”
Other sponsors of the event included Sheryl L. Kovach of the Kandor Group Inc., Star Builders of Texas, Ken Teusink with Sunbelt Business Brokers, Level Check, Office Systems of Texas, Rose Marie Bredeson, Gibraltar Mortgage Services, Gibraltar Title Services, Webster’s Auction Palace, Charter Title, Brock Enterprises, Inc., The National Realty Group, Inc., Holly Harris of Mortgage Banker RMLO, Champions School of Real Estate and David Weekley Homes.