Just For Kix event raises more than $1K for local charities

The Just For Kix Dance program raised $1,200 for charity at its annual Kix for Kids fundraiser show last weekend in the Sidney Middle School gym.

The "Kick Cancer" event donated the proceeds to Kyra's Kisses, Madison Frerichs, Adeline Elder and to Sidney schools.

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.

Cheers from family, friends and community members filled the gym during the performances, as well as tears once each of the girls' stories were shared. JFK Hero awards were also given to Kyra's mother, Kaila Kuhns; her grandmother, Sherrie Biberos; Adeline Elder; Madison Frerich; and Paige Fiebig.

According to JFK coach Donna Brown-Fort, it was a day of girls supporting girls through dancing to make a difference and give back to the community. The dancers also learn to build a sense of pride for their communities by working together as a team to do something positive.

Sidney is the only Just For Kix program in the nation that hosts Kix for Kids events to raise money and donate it back to local organizations, families and schools.