Kid Connection returns with in-person event
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LEWISTOWN -- Signs of spring in the Juniata River Valley brings thoughts of Mifflin County Kid Connection and the plans for this year.
Kid Connection will return this year to downtown Lewistown, a community free event that has been a staple for many decades. The event will occur from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 30 and children ages 2-12 will be able to participate in free activities, games and entertainment.
Casey Goss, the new chairman of Mifflin County Kid Connection, is a resident of the Lewistown Borough and began working with Kid Connection in 2021 through orchestrating the virtual platform utilized last year. Goss is a special rducation teacher in the Mifflin County School District and has previously helped with Kid Connection through participating in various booths over the course of the more than a decade.
As the organizer of the Lewistown Halloween Parade and member of the Borough Recreation Board, she brings experience of orchestrating a large community event but states she is utilizing the support of previous chair, Venus Shade, and several other community members. Goss lives in Lewistown with her husband and family.
"It's through the minds and hearts of children that we change the world and show the positivity that is still out there,"Goss said regarding what binds her to Kid Connection.
"After two years of not having an in-person event, it was a difficult discussion whether to continue with virtual or return back to in-person, but ultimately the children need the event and sense of normalcy. The virtual event had many participants and a lot of positive feedback but it's difficult to ask children to focus on a computer screen versus being out in fresh air and interacting with agencies that bring many educational activities."
All vendors are asked to contribute and donations from businesses that are unable to attend the event will be used to assist in defraying costs. With the impact of the two-year gap in in-person activity, the event is in need of cash donations or items for the cost of entertainment. Material items, such as duct tape, paper towels, bottled water, garbage bags and plastic gloves are required annually.
Monetary donations may be mailed to Kid Connection at P.O. Box 642, Lewistown, PA 17044. Donations of time and energy are also in great need, as community events are fully managed by volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Goss.
Vendor applications are being accepted until March 31 and can be located online at Mifflin County Kid Connection Facebook page or by emailing Casey Goss at Cassandra.goss0812@gmail.com or by calling (717) 953-2569.