Just for Kix event to benefit local nonprofits

More than 150 Just for Kix dancers will take center stage at their annual Kix for Kids fundraiser show on March 22 at the Sidney Middle School gym.

The Just for Kix program in Sidney began in 2008 and the Kix for Kids events started in 2010. Kix for Kids, created by Just for Kix coach Donna Brown-Fort, is a way for the dancers to be able to give back to their communities and learn to be service-minded.

According to Brown-Fort, the Kix for Kids events have been able to give back more than $20,000 to local nonprofit organizations, families and schools over the past five years.

Local dancers – ranging from pre-school to seniors in high school – comprise the 10 different JFK teams that will perform at what Brown-Fort calls a "Kick Cancer Event." The proceeds received at the performance will be donated to Kyra's Kisses, Madison Frerichs, Adeline Elder and the Peetz and Sidney schools for allowing Just for Kix to use the facilities for practices and performances.

"I think it's important for us to offer support and share these girls' stories with the community and give back to their families," Brown-For said. "We really want to bring attention to each of their situations."

Kyra's Kisses is an organization named to remember Kyra Eads, who was diagnosed with a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) brain tumor in December 2013 and died in April 2014. Frerichs was a healthy, active normal 10-year-old until August 2014 when she developed severe abdominal pain. More than 200 days and four hospitals later, doctors have been unable to diagnose the cause. Elder is a 7-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a rare type of brain cancer.

The Sidney Middle School gym doors will open at 1 p.m. where there is a $5 entry fee for students and adults. The performance will begin at 1:30.