Children and chaperones from the 13th Annual Christmas Celebration reunited on April 19th for the Reds vs. Brewers Game at Great American Ball Park. Over 60 kids and adults cheered on the Reds from the reserved Party Deck area, located on the 1st base side. The event provided the opportunity for the children and their chaperones to spend more one-on-one time with each other, as a follow up to the Christmas Celebration in December.

The follow-up event was originally planned for Saturday, March 8th. That day proved to be our biggest snow storm of the winter, and the event had to be postponed. Thus, the original "community service and bowling" day was changed and the chaperones and children were invited to a Reds Game instead.

As both the children and chaperones made their way inside the ball park, their faces lit up as they recognized each other. There were exchanges of hugs and high fives, as everyone made their way to their seats. For a number of the children, it was their first Reds game. They all received a very special welcome, as shortly after the first pitch "Kicks For Kids Youth Party" flashed across the scoreboard! Throughout the afternoon, the group enjoyed an assortment of food, unlimited soft drinks, and was even surprised with ice cream halfway through the game. Then, after the kids spent several innings cheering for Ken Griffey Jr., the baseball star looked up and waved to them from the outfield!!

While the Reds may not have pulled off a win, this did not deter the children and chaperones from leaving with smiles on their faces. It was a Saturday at the ballpark they will always remember!