WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — Kennywood held their annual “Coasting for Kids” event on Sunday.
The event benefited the nonprofit “Give Kids The World Village,” which provides week-long magical wish vacations to critically ill children and their families at no cost.
“So these are children with a critical illness and they and their families get to come for a week long experience, all expenses paid and get to go to Disney, universal sea world, gator land Legoland for a whole week, cost free for them,” President and CEO Pamela Landwirth said.
Landwirth said it is about $7,000 per trip.
This is the third year that Kennywood has been involved. The festivities included pre-opening extra ride time on Kennywood’s coasters Jack Rabbit, Racer and Steel Curtain, plus other rides, for close to 100 participants who raised $100 for more for the nonprofit.
Bringing together local families who have benefitted from the generosity of “Give Kids The World Village” and coaster enthusiasts eager to ride for a good cause, Kennywood’s edition of this nationwide event series looks to lead all Coasting for Kids celebrations in fundraising for the third straight year.
As of Sunday, participants have raised more than $14,000, including more than $4,000 through an auction of a retired Phantom’s Revenge coaster car.
Sandcastle Water Park and the SoakZone amusement park at Idlewild also celebrated their final weekend of the season.
“We’re big theme park fans, big amusement park fans. And big fans of ‘Give Kids the World’ and what they do,” participant Marc Teklinski, of Upper St. Clair, said.
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