Kites, as they soar through the air, can be an inspiring symbol of hope, say organizers of a kite festival this weekend.
At Kites for Kids, many of the 5,000 Allegheny County children who are clients of KidsVoice, a Downtown agency that serves abused and neglected children, will anonymously come with their foster families to the Carnegie Science Center, where they will see hundreds of people from the community supporting them by participating in the family event.
"People will know that there are 5,000 children in the county involved in these types of situations, where they aren't protected and safe at home," says Scott Hollander, executive director of KidsVoice. "The kite is really a symbol of hope, and a happy childhood activity, and a chance to soar that some of our clients don't always get."
Kites for Kids, he says, provides kids "with an opportunity where they can feel really valued by the community. ... To help hope take flight is really the whole idea."
Organizers hope to get 5,000 homemade kites -- one for each child -- from participants, who will get $2 off admission to the North Side center if they bring a kite. They can download a paper kite kit from www.kitesforkids.org, and string will be provided at the event.
The center will hang the kites inside as a show of support for the children. Visitors also are encouraged to fly other kites -- whether they bring one, make their own or purchase one at the center -- on the lawn along the riverbanks. There will be crafts such as kite-decorating, games and other activities. Some participating organizations include Beginning With Books and the Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club.
The timing of the event -- sponsored by Giant Eagle and chaired by Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and his wife, Shelly -- coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
Each year, KidsVoice represents 5,000 children from every ZIP code in Allegheny County, company officials say. KidsVoice guides the children through the court process and coordinates every agency involved to meet the child's needs, and protect children from harm. The goal is to eventually reconcile the kids with their families or, if that isn't possible, to find another permanent home for them, Hollander says.
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