What Happens at a HopeKids Event? A Behind-the-Scenes Look

When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, the world doesn’t stop. Bills keep coming. Siblings still need to get to school. One parent may be living at the hospital while the other juggles work and holds everything together at home. The calendar that used to show birthdays, soccer games, and family vacations fills up with clinic appointments and hospital stays.

For a lot of families, that’s just life now. And for a long time, there isn’t much room for anything else.

That’s exactly the moment HopeKids steps in.

How a decades long tradition became one of HopeKids’ most beloved events

Every spring, HopeKids families in Arizona gather under the sun for Pamela’s Picnic, an annual tradition made possible by the generosity of General Mills. What began as a tribute to a beloved General Mills employee and HopeKids champion, Pamela Hesselbacher, has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the year.

From the moment families arrive, the excitement is palpable. Kids bounce between activities, jumping in the bounce house, getting their faces painted, making crafts, and lining up for balloon animals. Volunteers from General Mills serve lunch and hand out snow cones, taking care of every detail so families can simply enjoy the day.

For many families, Pamela’s Picnic is more than an afternoon of fun. Some HopeKids who attend as teenagers first came to this event as young children. Year after year they return, not just for the activities, but for the deep sense of belonging that comes with being part of this community. That continuity is part of what makes HopeKids different.

Where HopeKids get to feel like royalty for the night

If Pamela’s Picnic is sunshine and snow cones, the Fairy Tale Ball is something out of a storybook.

Each year, HopeKids families dress up in their finest gowns, crowns, superhero capes, and costumes and gather for an enchanted evening complete with princes and princesses, a red carpet, dancing, crafts, and desserts. In Kansas City, the event has drawn nearly 300 people from the HopeKids community in a single evening.

Kids line up for photos with their favorite characters. Little ones spin in circles on the dance floor while parents gather nearby, watching and smiling. Families move from one activity to the next, and no one is in a hurry to leave because everyone is having such a good time.

For children who needed a quieter space, a low sensory room was available, a small but significant detail that speaks to how intentionally HopeKids designs every event to include every child, regardless of their needs that day.

When a hockey arena becomes a place of hope for HopeKids Families

Not every HopeKids event is a party. Some are something deeper.

When HopeKids families from Middle Tennessee attended the Nashville Predators’ Hockey Fights Cancer game at Bridgestone Arena, they didn’t just watch hockey. Months earlier, the families had gathered to design artwork that was later printed on the players’ helmets and displayed on the ice in front of thousands of fans. For these families, whose lives had been largely defined by hospital rooms and treatment schedules, seeing their children’s creativity honored on that stage was something they hadn’t expected to feel.

HopeKid Elly Kate, wearing her cowgirl hat and holding a sign that said she was in remission, received a puck during the game and was featured on the jumbotron. The arena erupted in applause. Her mom later shared that it was a night their family would never forget.

HopeKid Charlotte Field had her own unforgettable moment, meeting Predators player Ryan O’Reilly, interviewing him, and having him sign the back of her jersey. These are the kinds of experiences that don’t happen by accident. They happen because HopeKids builds relationships with community partners who genuinely want to show up for these families.

What every HopeKid event has in common

Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a storybook ball, or a night at a professional sporting event, every HopeKids event shares a few things that make them unlike anything else these families experience.

They are completely free. Every event is provided at no cost to families, removing the financial barrier that so many of these families face.

They are designed for the whole family. HopeKids doesn’t just serve the child who is sick. Events are built for mom, dad, siblings, and the entire household, because everyone is going through this together.

They are safe. Many events are held privately, protecting immunocompromised children from the health risks of large public crowds. Families within the HopeKids community look out for each other, creating an environment where parents can relax in ways they rarely get to.

And they give families something to look forward to. Research consistently shows that hope and anticipation improve a person’s ability to cope. HopeKids events aren’t just fun. They are medicine.

How to be a part of what makes these events possible

Events like these don’t happen without the generosity of donors, volunteers, and corporate partners who believe that families facing childhood illness deserve more than medical appointments on their calendar.

If you want to make moments like these possible, learn here how to give or get involved.

If you’re a family wondering what your first HopeKids event will feel like, the best way to find out is to come. Apply here to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How often does HopeKids host events?

HopeKids hosts events year-round, giving families something to look forward to every month. Across all chapters, HopeKids hosts more than 3,000 events annually. Families can attend as many or as few events as they like.

Are HopeKids events only for the child who is sick?

No. Every HopeKids event is designed for the whole family, including mom, dad, and siblings. HopeKids intentionally serves every member of the household because childhood illness affects everyone.

What if my child has special needs or sensory sensitivities?

HopeKids works to make events accessible and welcoming for every child. Many events include accommodations such as private spaces, accessible seating, and sensory-friendly areas. Contact your local chapter to discuss your family’s specific needs.

Can families attend events if their child is in the hospital?

HopeKids offers a virtual program with interactive events that families can participate in from home or a hospital room. HopeKids staff also conduct hospital visits, bringing connection and support directly to families during inpatient stays.

How do companies and donors make these events possible?

HopeKids events are made possible through the generosity of individual donors, corporate partners, and in-kind donations of tickets, experiences, venues, and services. About 87 percent of HopeKids revenue goes directly toward programs and services for families.