Dozens of kids and families flocked to Jump ‘N Jacks in Richmond Hill Saturday when the family fun center hosted its first-ever trike-a-thon to raise money for juvenile diabetes.
April Addison, general manager of Jump ‘N Jacks, said the fundraiser had been in the works for just a few months, but the idea behind it was pretty simple: kids.
“Diabetes is in my family, and we love kids — we’re a kid’s facility,” Addison said.
All proceeds from the event went to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — an organization specifically geared to finding a cure for juvenile diabetes. Juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes is a disease usually diagnosed in children and young adults in which the body does not produce insulin, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Addison said there was no specific goal for the fundraiser.
“Just whatever lays on people’s hearts to donate,” she said. The amount raised Saturday was not available by presstime.
Kids not only enjoyed pedaling their tricycles around a track lined with tires and race-like decorations, but the event also offered a raffle, face painting, snow cones and more to help raise money.
Addison said Jump ‘N Jacks worked closely with Christy Balbo, a Richmond Hill lawyer whose son also has Type 1 diabetes. Balbo, an advocate for finding a cure for the disease, said she was happy to see the kids enjoying themselves.
“Not only does (the fundraiser) help children, the kids are out here for a cause so they can do something to help — and they’re having fun,” she said.

Read more in the Sept. 26 edition of the News.