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Cancer Society sponsors kids’ party at Southern Park Mall
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
BOARDMAN
Visitors to a Valentine’s party at Southern Park Mall got a taste of what American Cancer Society Relay for Life events have to offer.
The ACS of Northeast Ohio and the mall teamed up Saturday to offer the free party for kids.
“This is a little bit of a sampling of what we have at our events,” said Tasha Wells, ACS community manager. “They’re all different, but they all have similar things for kids and people of all ages.”
The mall previously partnered with the society for a festival of trees, and has planned a cancer survivor day for April 9.
Survivors will receive a free breakfast, and activities, entertainment and giveaways will be included.
Saturday’s event included a meet-and-greet with princesses and princes, crafts and a ventriloquist. Children could also have makeup and fingernail polish applied. Relay for Life teams and area entertainment businesses provided activities.
Kelley Beatty and her 8-year-old daughter, Kandace Beatty, both of Boardman, decided to check it out.
“Relay for Life is something we’re involved in,” Kelley said. “We have a lot of people in our family who had cancer. We just wanted to come out and celebrate and have a little bit of fun.”
Kandace had her makeup done, posed for pictures in a pink feather boa and tiara and made a bookmark and paper-bag puppet.
Danielle Laslow, 4, and her sisters, Alyssa and Allonna Laslow, both 2, all of Boardman, came with their mother, Dawn Laslow, and posed for photos with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Jack the Pirate and Prince Charming.