WILMINGTON — It’ll be a fun day at the movies for the family with a chance to help others.
Wilmington Plaza Cinemas will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 15 to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF).
The theater will be showing “Sonic the Hedgehog” at 10 a.m. (doors open at 9 a.m.) with ticket prices reduced to $4.50. Patrons can also buy their “Unbeatable Deal” of a 46-ounce popcorn and 16-ounce drink at $4.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
It was Kecia Crosley who contacted the theater about the fundraising opportunity.
Crosley’s son, Evan, was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis — NF for short — shortly after he was born. NF causes tumors to grow on nerve endings, which causes many complications such as blindness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement and cancer.
“At first when he was diagnosed, we ignored it. I think that maybe I felt like if I didn’t acknowledge it, he didn’t have it,” said Crosley.
Eventually his first tumor grew. Crosley knew then she needed to embrace the disorder and help Evan through it as he grew.
“I didn’t want him to grow up and be ashamed of something he was born with and cannot help,” said Crosley.
Then the opportunity came to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation in the hopes of finding a cure. But Crosley also wanted to bring the community together, too.
“Life has a way of getting out of hand, we’re always so bombarded by life’s demands that we forget what is important — family,” she said.
Her children love going to the movies and figured it would be a great way for families to spend time together as well.
“Republic Theatres is always looking for ways to give back and become more involved in the communities we are a part of,” said Kevin Wall, Director of Marketing, Social Media, and Advertising with Republic Theaters.
When approached with the opportunity to help benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation, Wall said, “I knew (the theater) had to get involved and help out, it’s just been a matter of figuring out the best way to do so.”
Crosley hopes that even if people don’t donate to CTF, they will, at least, have an opportunity to spend time with family.
For more information on the foundation, visit www.ctf.org.
