(Contributed photo)
WATSONVILLE — In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services held its 19th annual Kidrageous Golden Carnival in the Watsonville City Plaza Sunday afternoon.
Every booth and activity at Kidrageous is in honor of or in memory of a local child with cancer. Carnival fun filled the day with magicians, clowns, arts and crafts, bounce houses, face painting and more.
Lori Butterworth, founder of Jacob’s Heart, said the event raised $12,000 for the organization, including $4,000 from Watsonville Police officers, who were growing beards over the past few months as a fundraiser for Jacob’s Heart. Each officer who grew a beard donated $100 to Jacob’s Heart.
“It was our 19th annual event and there was so much love and community connection,” Butterworth said. “It was so interconnected and everybody there was in it for a good cause. The crowd was so inspiring.”
In a spontaneous moment, Watsonville Police Sgt. Mish Radich volunteered to sit in a dunk tank set up at the event. After a few missed throws from the children, a 10-year-old cancer survivor hit the target, plunging Radich into the water, uniform and all.
“We were glad to help with a fundraiser for Jacob’s Heart,” Radich said. “I had the night off so it was a good chance to pitch in to a good cause. I had no idea I was going to be in the dunk tank; it was totally spontaneous. It felt good to be part of this. I was especially excited that the kid that hit the button to dunk me is a cancer survivor.”
For information, visit jacobsheart.org.
