PwcMoms will hold a kid-focused Silver Sparkle Family Fun Day event to benefit two brain cancer research organizations on Feb. 22 from 2-6 p.m. at the Freedom Aquatic Center in Manassas.
Kristina Schnack Kotlus’ website, PwcMoms, is the most popular website in Prince William County specializing in family-friendly and kid-centered activities. Last year, the young mom/media guru’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with ependymoma, a rare form of brain cancer in which the tumor was wrapped around her brain stem.
In February, she underwent 16 hours of surgery to remove the tumor. Thankfully, she got through it and is fully functioning today. To celebrate her “survive-aversary” as she calls it, and some other special milestones, she planned this community-centered event.
“With February being my one-year survival anniversary, my 30th birthday, which we weren’t sure I’d get to celebrate, and the fourth anniversary of my blog, I wanted to do something fun for my readers, and something that would benefit more than just me or my website,” Kotlus said.
Kotlus knew she could do a ladies’ night-out for all the moms who read her page and help make it possible, but decided instead to make the event all about families, saying “some of these blog-anniversaries are at wineries. They’re really nice and really fancy, but that’s really not what I do,“ Kotlus said.
As she writes for families, she wanted to include the entire family in her celebration. Thus, she is inviting Northern Virginia families to join her for a day of kid and family fun at the Freedom Aquatic Center, which will benefit finding a cure for brain cancer.
Kotlus said this cause is “near to her heart,” as not only did she survive brain cancer, but is fighting for a cure so she will never have to relive that trauma should the disease resurface.
While brain cancer ribbons are grey, Kotlus said the name of the event is based upon her unique approach to dealing with her diagnosis and finding its “silver” lining. Thinking grey ribbons were a little blah, she told friends and family to decorate them with glitter, hence, “Silver Sparkles Family Fun Day.”
Kotlus realized she would not have been able to both raise money for brain cancer research and organize a reasonable priced family event without the help of her sponsors. She is especially grateful to Bristow Montessori, Prince William Academy and Prince William County Parks and Recreation, who together are covering the cost of the event space, plus the other local vendors and entertainers who have agreed to donate their services for the afternoon.
The Silver Sparkle Family Fun Day has more than enough entertainment ideas for children ages 2-12, including face painting, glitter tattoos, inflatables, a balloon artist, games and prizes. Additionally, there will be performers, including a magician courtesy of NovaOutdoors.com, music and movement class by Imagination Station of Northern Virginia and a princess storytime with the Kingdom of Azuria. Plus, there will be informational displays for moms and dads to check out.
Tickets are $15 per family until Feb. 1 when they will increase to $25. The tickets cover everything except food items, which will be available from Sweet Creations Yogurt, Chick-fil-A and Confections. All proceeds will go to the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
For additional information or to get your business involved, please visit www.pwcmoms.com or email kristinalsk@yahoo.com. Event tickets can be purchased at http://silversparkles.eventbrite.com and will NOT be available for purchase the day of the event.
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