ROCHESTER — Raising funds to make dreams come true for hundreds of children throughout Michigan with life threatening illnesses, The Rainbow Connection celebrates the 11th year of its Walk for Kids at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, August 24.
This family-friendly stroll through the zoo includes a Walk for Kids t-shirt, continental breakfast, all day entry to the zoo and a raffle donated by Walmart and Sam’s Club.
WXYZ-TV Action News anchor Dave LewAllen will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Detroit Zoo, the largest of The Rainbow Connection’s six 2013 statewide Walks for Kids. Among his many community activities, LewAllen serves on The Rainbow Connection Board of Directors and is committed to making dreams come true for Michigan kids diagnosed with life threatening illnesses.
This year’s Walk for Kids Ambassador, Alyssa, realized her dream to go to Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas just this past December following many months of treatment after her diagnoses of Osteosarcoma in February 2011. Alyssa will be going into the 9th grade this September. She and her family are very excited to lead this year’s Detroit Zoo Walk for Kids. Her mom states, “The Rainbow Connection gave our family a gift – time together without a care in the world. We will cherish it forever.”
Founded in 1985 by L. Brooks Patterson, The Rainbow Connection is a non-profit charity making dreams come true for Michigan children with life threatening illnesses. It also provides support services to the families and an ongoing relationship with the families of these children long after the dream has been fulfilled.
Registration for the August 24 Walk for Kids at The Detroit Zoo begins at 7:30 am and the Walk starts at 8:30am. Participants may walk individually or build a team of walkers. Registration is $25 per walker or $50 for immediate family. More than 1,500 walkers raised $143,000 at last year’s Detroit Zoo Walk. For more information visit www.rainbowconnection.org/
