Above: ARHS StuCo is sharing more details to encourage the community to attend “Kickin’ it for Kasey” this Sunday. (images cropped from flyer)
Algonquin’s Student Council shared more details about the upcoming community festival to raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research.
While the cause is a solemn one, the event is organized as a fun celebration for families with children (and teens) to enjoy.
“Kickin’ it for Kasey” appears to refer not just to kicking cancer, but also one of the many planned activities — soccer. ARHS Stu Co promotes the event as also featuring food trucks, mini golf, and lawn games. Plus, in response to my questions about the activities, an ARHS StuCo rep added face painting and music to the list. (And scroll down for more details they shared about the planned activities.)
The event is scheduled for this Sunday, April 12th, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St, Northborough.
Tickets for the event can be purchased here for $5 each.
For those who want more details before deciding whether or not to attend. . .
Every year, ARHS StuCo members organize an event to raise funds for a good cause. As I previously posted, this year ARHS StuCo is organizing an “afternoon of fun games” in memory of the late daughter of an alumnus.
Kickin’ it for Kasey will celebrate the life of Kasey Zachmann, who died at the age of 10 “after a brave battle with brain cancer”. The event seeks to honor her by creating a family friendly event full of activities she would have enjoyed. (Since it is organized by high school students, encouraging classmates to attend, it should also be fun for teens.)
The event will raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research, with proceeds donated to the Lilabean Foundation, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and the Jimmy Fund. The funds will be raised through the admission fee and a raffle.
Activities will include:
- 9 hole mini golf course
- Cornhole, giant Jenga, giant Connect 4, Kan Jam, Spike Ball, and other lawn games (based on Kasey’s love of the outdoors)
- Face painting by the ARHS Art Honor Society (inspired by Kasey’s love of art)
- Music (Kasey’s playlist)
- Soccer fun will be a combo of pre-organized events and free play:
- Northborough and Southborough K-1st teams will scrimmage
- Algonquin students and alumni will face off in a game
- Nets & balls will be open for guests of any age to have fun with family & friends. (No cleats are needed!)
There will also be a speech in Kasey’s honor, given by her mother.
The event flyer includes a QR code for direct donations to the Kasey Zachmann Medulloblastoma Research Fund through the Lilabean Foundation. (Those donations do not grant event admission. It is an additional way to support the cause.)
The Lilabean’s website describes its mission:
to fund groundbreaking research that leads to better treatments and outcomes for children battling brain cancer. . . to raise critical funds, drive awareness, and provide hope for families facing the unimaginable. . .
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children, yet research remains critically underfunded. LBF is committed to changing that reality by investing in innovative research initiatives that improve treatments and outcomes for children battling brain cancer. Through the power of community, advocacy, and research funding, we are working toward a future where every child with brain cancer has a chance to grow up and thrive.
As for the personal connection to ARHS — Kasey was the daughter of Class of 2000 member Alyssa (Spitulnik) Zacchmann. Organizers are encouraging alumni to participate in the Kickin’ it event. As part of the weekend’s activities, a “25th” reunion for the Class of 2000 is being held this Saturday.
Because of that timing, there isn’t a rain date. Instead, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, activities will be moved to the school gym. To check on the event status that weekend, you go to ARHS StuCo’s Instagram here.
