WHAT: A fundraiser featuring kid-friendly activities and music by Grits & Soul
WHEN: Sunday, May 1, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Bold Rock Hard Cider, Mills River
WHY: “When we started in 2009, we only gave out 70 things,” says Sleep Tight Kids founder Jill Schwarzkopf, whose nonprofit provides vulnerable children with unused bedtime amenities like pajamas, books, stuffed animals, blankets and dental hygiene kits. That number grew to 5,000 in 2015, when the Department of Social Services in multiple counties joined an existing list of partner distributors.
Though Schwarzkopf’s 2016 tally is already approaching 2,000 items dispersed, she’s set a goal of nearly 10 times that for the year. An upcoming benefit will help buy more creature comforts, spreading the sense of hope and safety further.
“We’re really trying to get the kids involved,” she says of the event, which features attractions like face painting, giant Jenga, ladder ball, horseshoes, Legos, sidewalk chalk and soccer balls. The raffle, too, promises kid-friendly loot: a gift card for Asheville’s Fun Depot, a summer camp certificate for The Little Gym, a Lego set from Bricks for Kids, a half-day pass at Zaniac and an oversized stuffed animal from O.P. Taylor’s toy store.
The event also offers a separate raffle for adults, live country and Americana music by Grits & Soul, and food for purchase from Chef Daddy’s Food Truck and Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn.
“My hope for the future is to get Sleep Tight Kids in other cities,” Schwarzkopf says, and right now, her volunteer-run operation has almost no expenses — just website upkeep and PayPal fees. “So, about 98 percent of the money goes straight to purchasing items for the kids.”
Admission ($30 per person or $50 per couple in advanced and $35 per person at the door) includes light treats and one alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink donated by Bold Rock. Kids get in free. Visit sleeptightkids.org for information or tickets.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.