Sep 5, 2007
Sundance Vacations Employees Raise Money for the “Kisses For Kyle” Foundation
The Kisses for Kyle foundation was the beneficiary of two fund raising events in August. We initially discovered the charity because of their wine fest that takes place in September. We are one of the proud sponsors of that event.
Staff members were moved by the Kyle Snyder’s story available at http://www.kissesforkyle.org/about_kyle.htm. Wilkes Barre charity coordinator, Jenny Y. dried her eyes and jumped into high gear to raise money for the organization.
The first event was a pay to attend a fundraising picnic. It was held at the Dowd residence on August 12th. About fifty sales managers, marketing managers and support staff attended the picnic. The small group raised $1,630.
The Wilkes Barre staff also organized a yard sale. 
The colossal sale took place on Saturday August 18th. Employees donated items to fill more than 15 tables piled high with stuff. 
The event offered face painting, food and a basket raffle in addition to the yard sale. As a result of much hard work and the generosity of the staff the employees raised $1,232.42 for the Kisses for Kyle foundation.
The remaining unsold items were donated to a local women’s shelter and the Salvation Army. The unused boxes of hotdogs, hamburgers and lots of other food items were donated to VISION, a homeless shelter serving Wilkes Barre.
Employees will present the charity with a check for $2,862.42 at the Kisses For Kyle Food and Wine Fest held on September 29th.
A big thanks to all of the employees who offered their time, talents and treasures for this great charity.
Dear Volunteers and Donators,
I just want to thank everyone who took the time to volunteer their Saturday to work at the yard sale for Kisses for Kyle. It was a huge success because of everyone who volunteered his or her time and money to a great cause. If it wasn’t for everyone coming together and helping out it would not have been the success it was. We raised a total of $2,800, money that is going directly to the Kisses for Kyle Foundation. All leftover food and donations were given to Visions, The Salvation Army and The McCauley House. I would also like to thank John and Tina for allowing us to participate and recognize this important foundation.
Thank you,
Helen Koval
Helen, I couldn’t agree more with your comment.
I would like to single a couple people out that worked at the Yard Sale because they truly gave everything they had in them that day.
Phil Koval, grilled his pants off to raise money for Kisses for Kyle. His section of the Yard Sale was even named “Phil’s Grill.” He not only cooked the Hamburgers and Hotdogs but he made grilled Pizza. Phil cooked and oversaw the whole Bake Sale which probably brought in the most money. The only time that entire day that I saw Phil take a break was when Helen ordered him to sit down and rest. After about 20 minutes and a few burned hamburgers later he was chasing me out of there so that he could take over.
Three wonderful young men that deserve acknowledgement are Tyler, Cameron and Ryan Kazokas. They are the grandson’s of Helen and Phil Koval. These boys not only helped out on the day of the yardsale but they came to our pre-yard sale pricing night. They were willing to help out wherever needed from helping at the table to selling baked goods to loading and moving tables to even walking up and down the side of the highway to bring attention to the yardsale. They were probably the most polite teenagers that you will ever meet.
Helen who of course handled so many of the details because I could just not seem to get around to doing them. Without Helen and Pam we probably would not have gotten as far as we did with being organized.
There are so many other people that need to be thanked so please take this as my most humblest thanks.
This organization found a special place not only in my heart but also in the hearts of many of our employees.
Thank you everyone for everything that you had done to help with the success of these two days.
I will be making the trek to the Kisses for Kyle Wine Fest at the end of September. Should you have that weekend free consider coming down as well. I am sure it is going to be an awesome time.
I was one of many Sundance Vacations employees who was fortunate enough to attend both Kisses for Kyle fundraising events (Dowd residence and yard sale). Nothing is better than supporting a good cause like Kisses for Kyle and, all the while, having fun!
I think the yard sale showed such a team effort for such a great cause. I felt proud to be a part of a team that such dedication and determination. Everyone arrived bright and early on Saturday morning, when most people would still be sleeping. Eveyone pitched in and did their part to help set up, flag down by-passers, and then disamble everything at the end of a long day. It was very nice to see everyone dedicating their day to support the Kisses for Kyle Foundation. I was glad to be a part of it.
Candy,
I couldn’t agree with you more. We all came together and worked well to accomplish a common goal. To help an organization that is certainly worthy of me getting up out of bed on a Saturday morning at 5:00 am to get here in time.
Once again thank you all who participated and think about coming out on 09/29/2007 to support the Kisses For Kyle organization!!
If you haven’t done so yet, please remember to mark your calendars for the most fun you will have all fall! Come join us to celebrate the beginning of fall while supporting local children with cancer! Please spread the word too! This is going to be a great time for a great cause!! I am including all of the wonderful food tastings that will be provided by our wonderful local restaurants, caterers and bakers!!! If that’s not enough to tempt you, further down you will see all of the family fun in store! We will have something for everyone!!! Hope to see you there!!!!
Kisses for Kyle Food, Music, and Family Fun Fest
Willow Grove Day Camp, 3400 Davisville Road (log onto our website for directions)
Saturday, September 29th (raindate Sunday, September 30th)
11 am – 5 pm
http://www.kissesforkyle.org for all of the details
Menu for food tastings
Carrabba’s Italian Grill Chicken Marsala and Pasta Carrabba
Augusto’s of Madison Avenue Crab Cakes
Steve Stein’s Famous Kugul and Hot Dogs
Studio M Foods Ginger and Wasabi Chicken Salad with Teriyaki and Black and White Sesame Seeds served with Crispy Home made Wonton
Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse Barbeque Beef Brisket and Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Lee’s Hoagie House Variety of Hoagies
Super Suppers Cranberry Meatballs, Parmesean Chicken with Creamy Sage Saouce, Cowboy Caviar and Chocolate Lovers Paradise
Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Cabot Creamery Variety of Cheeses
Pampered Chef Dips, Breads, Pretzels and Chips
Blue Monkey Catering 5 Tier Chocolate Fountain with lots of delicious treats to dip, adorned with a Kisses for Kyle Ice Sculpture
Cold Stone Creamery Founders Favorite: Sweet Cream Ice Cream, Pecans, Brownie, Fudge, and Caramel
Dark Chocolate Devotion: Dark Chocolate Devotion Ice Cream, Chocolate Chips, Brownie, Fudge
Yorktown Cookie Company Gourmet Decorative Cookies: Children and Adults may decorate their very own cookie
Cakes by Doria Chocolate Cake with a Truffle Filling, Lemon Pound Cake with a Raspberry Filling, Variety of Pastries
Ann Marie’s Treats Variety of Cakes, Cookies and Candies
Dove at Home, Donna Addesa Dove Chocolates with a variety of Fruits
True Brew Iced Coffee and Iced Tea
Gourmet Vendor Popcorn Cart
Chaddsford Winery Wine samplings
Laird and Company Wine samplings
Legacy Brewing Company Microbrew samplings
Big Heads of Willow Grove Beer samplings
*menu subject to change with additions and substitutions
Schedule of events
11-1 95.7 Ben FM with their car, give-a-ways and lots of fun!
11:30 & 1 Baby Boot Camp Diaper Derby
12-1 PHLEX of the Philadelphia Phantoms!
3-4:30 B101 and Buzz Bee and the B-Crew with great give-a-ways and animal balloons!
OUTDOOR BARNYARD STAGE
11-2:30 The Shore Thing, DJ
11:30 & 12:45 Thursday Night Jazz
2-5 Valerie Knight
2:15 The School of Rock, Bucks County
3:15 Kick-a-thon with audience participation, Personal Power Martial Arts
3 Mojo and the Helper Monkeys
Family fun ongoing from 11 – 5
Unlimited food tastings $20 per adult/ $10 per child 12 and under
Wine and Beer Samplings $15 per adult 21 and older with proper ID
Combination band food, wine and beer $30 per adult with proper ID
Crafter Stations
Local business meet and greets with great info and give-a-ways
Nintendo Wii Competition on big screens
NASCAR Show Car
Tour a Willow Grove Fire Truck, then take a ride on a ride on fire truck!
Face Painting
Animal Balloons
Paddle Boats
Mniature Golf
Moon Bounce, Obstacle Course, Giant Slide Combo
Sand Art and Spin Art
Games for Both kids and adults including Boom Blasters, interactive games and more
Kisses for Kyle merchandise featuring a Kisses for Kyle Teddy Bear and Magnet!
Grand Raffle Drawings, including a week vacation give-a-way, Basket of wine, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, autographed memorabilia, plus so much more!
*fees vary per activity. We will have an unlimited wristband available for the Moonbounce-obstacle course-slide combo, boom blasters, and various games!
*family fun activities subject to change with additions and substitutions
Vendor List
Willow Grove Day Camp
Curves for Women
Health, Wealth & Wellness Zone
Personal Power Matial Arts
Vision Mortgage Capital
Trimesters
Judith Koch, Massage Doula
Gilded Dog Enterprises
Dixie Gutter Guardian
New York Life
Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Hatboro-Willow Grove
Baby Boot Camp, Bucks County
Kathy Davis Studios
Montgomery Newspapers
Ranger for a Cure
PlayOn
Dance 360
Valley of the Dolls
Accentuations
Silpada
Celebrity Cruises
String of Pearls
Leslie Barnes Jewelry
Gal’s Treasures
Jockey for Women
Discovery Toys
Designs by Hollie
B and B Designs
Look A Likes
Soles, A Shoe Experience
Sophie’s Crystal
Arbonne
Hats by Karen
Scents to Savor
Donna’s Scarves
Tastefully Simple
Truly Whimsical
Made Ya Smile
The Bear Facts
On the Button
Juice Plus
I think the yard sale was such a great idea to raise money for such a wonderful cause. I was and I am sure a lot of people were happy to clean out their closet and get rid of any unused things to someone who could use them. Great job to everyone who participated.
Kisses for Kyle is a great organization. I hope everyone continues to support it and just doesn’t think it’s a once a year fundraiser.
what a great idea for a great charity!!! Super job everyone!!