2019 Kids N Us MDA Hop-A-Thon

Let's hop for a cause! During the week of April 8th-12th Kids N Us will be participating in the MDA Hop-A-Thon! The MDA Hop-A-Thon is a disability awareness, acceptance and education program that teaches children three core values of awareness, acceptance and assistance. It's also a great way for our students to raise money for neuromuscular disease research and services like MDA summer camp for kids. Our goal is to send a child to summer camp this year!

What is a Hop-A-Thon? A Hop-A-Thon is a program teaches children about physical disabilities and the importance of accepting all children. It incorporates 5 days of lesson plans and resources that reinforces three key principles: Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Assistance. The program culminates with a brief, high- energy hopping fundraiser that supports muscle disease research and services. The Hop will provide your child with an opportunity to use his or her strong muscles for those who can’t. In addition, the children will have an opportunity to earn some great prizes for their fundraising efforts!

So why do we hop? Of the 43 muscle wasting diseases that MDA covers, more than half affect children. Some are present at birth, such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I, the number one genetic killer of newborns. Others manifest more slowly, appearing in toddlerhood, adolescence, or even the late teens. Over time, depending on the disease, children require leg braces, wheelchairs, feeding tubes, respirators, and other assistance to move, eat, and breathe. As their physical abilities decline, it gets harder and harder to “just be a kid,” which is why opportunities like accessible MDA Summer Camp are so important! Most children with genetic muscle disorders face shortened life spans. No medical cures exist for any of these conditions — yet.

How can you help? By raising money! Ask everyone you know! They can “sponsor” your child as they Hop. The money you raise will make a big difference for local families (all the money raised stays in Western Washington).

The money that our students will raise will directly benefit the MDA Care Centers at the Seattle Children's Hospital, and the University of Washington. The money raised will also go toward flu shots, MDA summer camps, and lifesaving research! Help us send a child to summer camp this year!

Will you make a pledge? Help us, help others! For more information on how you can become involved please visit, http://mdahops.org/