Inaugural Field Day for Foster Care

Inaugural Field Day for Foster Care

Largest collaborative ‘fun-raiser’ benefits children in foster care

Toddlers participating in Big Wheel Relay Races Field Day Finale.

By Jenna Leon

    In an effort to raise awareness of the needs of children in the foster care system, ChildNet, the Community-Based Care (CBC) lead agency in Broward and Palm Beach counties, recently hosted the inaugural Field Day for Foster Care at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. Gathering 14 non-profit partner agencies, it was the largest collaborative “fun-raiser” to serve our community’s most vulnerable youth.

“The key to successful fundraising and making an impact on the lives of children is getting the community involved, and what bigger and better way to do that than through joining the most influential non-profit groups to form the largest collaborative field day event ever,” said Elizabeth Wynter, director of community relations at ChildNet. “Field day was a perfect opportunity for adults to act like children and to inspire them to think about opening their hearts and homes to children in care.”

Proceeds from Field Day for Foster Care benefited ChildNet, Children’s Home Society, 4KIDS of South Florida, Camelot Community Care, Children’s Harbor, The Chrysalis Center, Kids In Distress, Family Central, Inc., FLIPANY, FLITE Center, Heart Gallery of Bro-ward County, Henderson Behavioral Health, Legal Aid, National Youth Advocate Pro-gram and SOS Children’s Villages Florida.

Family and company teams of 10 enjoyed games, music, food and fun field day events including a bounce house, bike exhibition, rock climbing, arts and crafts, face painting, and fitness and nutrition demonstrations, and also enjoyed treats from Blue Bell Ice Cream. Participants, who came dressed in crazy costumes, competed in the ultimate Field Day Face-Off, featuring rapid-fire dodge ball, a three-legged obstacle course, extreme corn hole, soccer mania and the Finale, big wheel relay races.

More than 20 teams competed for bragging rights, and the first place award was presented to Techzilla, second place went to team Power Tripps with Tripp Scott, P.A., third place went to The Chrysalis Center, and the fourth place award was presented to Whisper Travel. Other awards included Craziest Costumes, which was presented to Pediatric Associates, the Most Spirited Team which went to ChildNet’s Bravehearts and team Power Tripps with Tripp Scott, P.A. won the Biggest Fan Club award.

Participants also won raffle prizes, including a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas, a two-night stay in an ocean view studio at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, gift certificate to Café Martorano, tickets to Cirque du Soleil: Quidam and a one-day Park Hopper pass to Disney World.

Boies, Schiller & Flexner was the title sponsor and Power Communications Network, Inc. was the platinum sponsor. Other sponsors included BB&T, Tripp Scott, P.A., Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at Memorial, Pediatric Associates, Whisper Travel, Greenberg Traurig, P.A., AutoNation, GrayRobinson, P.A., Broward Health, Dr. G’s Weight Loss & Wellness and VALIC.