Open Events
Open Events provide safe opportunities for elementary age Chester children to explore and have fun while Chester County high school students can try out volunteering with low barriers to entry. These events help build trust in the Chester community that we are a faithful and dependable non-profit organization that has pure motives and is here for the long-haul.
August
Camp Lionheart
Friends, It is with a heavy heart and much sadness we must announce that due to unforeseen circumstances, it will not be possible to coordinate and operate Camp Lionheart and RISE Camp this summer. Camp has become a fundamental program of the Foundation and an event that we all look forward to. A great amount of thought, discussion and prayer went into this incredibly difficult decision made by our Board of Directors and the Executive Director. We are so sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and we will truly miss Camp this year. We don’t have any more updates at the current time, but please keep an eye on our website for future postings on activities and events.
October
Fall Carnival
Four high school students lead this effort in the fall. The goal is to bring everything necessary to hold a carnival to Chester for a day of fun and entertainment, celebrating the fall season. 75 high school students volunteer to make this day possible. Typically, over 1,000 Chester children participate in this free event which include: face painting, pumpkin painting, carnival games, inflatables, several live bands, a book give-away, as well as lots of free food and beverages.
November – December
Christmas Toy Drive & Store
Each fall, we collect new donated toys and bring them to Chester, PA for a special, invitation-only Toy Store. 500 selected children, receive a special invite to come and “shop” for their Christmas presents. Each child is matched up with a personal shopper and the pair goes through the Toy Store together. After choosing Christmas presents for themselves, the children then get to go shop for their parents or loved one while their own gifts are being wrapped.
February
Open Bowl
High school students lead this event in February. The goal is to bring 120 3rd – 5th graders, who BOTH live and go to school in Chester, to The Palace Bowling and Entertainment Center in Downingtown. They enjoy an afternoon of bowling and dancing with high school student volunteers. Each of the 40 lanes usually is led with 2 high school students and 3 Chester children. The kids really enjoy each other’s company and have a great time bowling, dancing, and eating pizza and cake.
April
Learn-To-Skate
Henderson ice hockey players lead this event every spring. The goal is to bring 120 Chester 3rd – 5th graders, who BOTH live and go to school in Chester, to Ice Line in West Chester. 120 Chester County high school ice hockey players volunteer to teach them how to ice skate. The skaters from 9 different Chester County high schools are paired with the Chester children for a few hours and everyone has a ball, skating and enjoying dinner and dessert together!
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1