Kidfetti, or How We Volunteered to Help and Received So Much More Than We Ever Imagined!

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This past Saturday was the 2nd Annual Kidfetti to benefit the Centers in Ocala, FL.  The local newspaper was looking for volunteers to work their tent and I volunteered myself and my daughter.  I thought it would be fun to do and that we might be able to listen to the music from across the grounds while we made new friends and helped out for a worthy cause.  We showed up and got to work at the tent, where we handed out little novelties for the kids to decorate.  Everyone was so nice and we were really having a great time. We were supposed to work the tent from 12-2, but we were having so much fun that we stayed until about 3, when we ran out of goodies and had to shut the tent down!  Most of the people working the tent had small children and had been there since early in the morning, so they all left, but before doing so – gave the volunteers armbands that entitled them to a meal and a cold beverage.  We thankfully accepted them, said goodbye to our new friends and skipped off to enjoy the other booths and get a cold bottle of water (it was a beautiful, sunny day, and more than a little bit hot!).

We went over to the booth where we were supposed to get our food and they had already stopped serving, but had lots of snacks and sodas and fruit.  Also, the tent was air conditioned which was my favorite part.  What I didn’t realize, was that this gave us VIP access to the concert area..  As they started to set up for a band, Haley and I got some seats in the last row and settled down to enjoy the band, the music and the people watching.
First up was the Naked Brother’s Band. They were adorable and extremely likable.  And did you know that Polly Draper is their mother? You know, from “Thirtysomething”? Me neither!  The kids in the audience really enjoyed them and to tell you the truth, so did I.
The highlight, I thought was “Your Smile” which was dedicated to the boys’ grandmother who had passed away the day before.  It was very touching.

(Click on the pictures for biggerized)

Jordin Sparks came on about 5:30 and she was delightful!  Haley and I and everyone else in the crowd were singing and dancing and having a great time.  We were very invested in voting for Jordin the season that she won American Idol and at one point Haley turned to me and shouted, “I’m so glad we voted for her!”.  It was adorable and so was Jordin.

We left our seats and moved up closer to the stage where everyone was standing up and I couldn’t believe how close we got!

Wow, right?

All the girls (and some of the moms) threw flowers on the stage which Jordin picked up and graciously thanked the crowd for.

She talked to the girls about body image and self esteem and I was so impressed with her – she really is a terrific talent and a great role model.

We really had a wonderful time and I can’t express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to experience this and to be able to share it with my daughter.

I started the day thinking that we would have fun, meet some friends and maybe help out in the community just a little bit.  I never could have imagined how much fun we would have and how lucky would be to experience this.

I do feel like I owe the universe one, so we’re looking for our next volunteer opportunity.

It is OK to use my photos or content provided a link back and proper crediting is given