Fireworks booth raises money for childhood cancer foundation

Image

The Team Kenzie fireworks booth has raised more than $26,000 since 2011 to support children with cancer. It operates through July 4.

Tue, Jul 3, 2018 (2 a.m.)

Click to enlarge photo

Lauren Pacheco, left, Brandon Osborn, center, and Frank Pacheco are cousins of the late MaKenzie Hanover and members of Team Kenzie, which raises money for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

MaKenzie Hanover wasn’t especially fond of fireworks, but she had an energetic personality and a “fiery sarcasm,” says cousin Jeff Helvin. So it’s fitting, in a way, that Helvin uses a fireworks booth to raise money in honor of her.

“MaKenzie was one of those full-of-life girls,” Helvin said. “She was one of five cousins; they were like the core five. Their aunts and what-not all had babies around the same time; she was part of quite a little pack there and full of energy.”

MaKenzie was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 14 in June 2010. Doctors removed her tumor and she underwent rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. But the cancer came back a second time and within a year she was gone.

Helvin poured himself into fundraising to help other families cope with childhood cancer, as a way of memorializing his cousin who died over Memorial Day weekend in 2011.

“It started as a family 5K team back in 2011,” said Helvin, team leader for Candlelighters Team Kenzie. “Candlelighters (Cancer Foundation of Nevada) was a big part of that journey for them and the family really rallied behind the fundraising for Candlelighters.”

The year Team Kenzie started, it had the largest Candlelighters team ever assembled for the nonprofit’s Candlelighters Superhero 5K, with 238 members. That record still stands.

In addition to running the 5K to raise money for the nonprofit, Team Kenzie’s fireworks operates through July 4. Patrons who spend $150 or more will receive a free race entry to Candlelighters Superhero 5K on Sept. 15.

All proceeds go to benefit the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada to help its efforts to provide emotional support, quality-of-life programs and financial assistance for children and their families affected by childhood cancer.

The Team Kenzie fireworks booth is in the Smith’s Shopping Center at 9350 W. Flamingo Road.

Established in 1978, the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada celebrates its 40th year of helping families cope with childhood cancer.

The nonprofit has helped thousands of families like Kenzie’s, and now serves 200 families a month and as many as 600 children, including sibling of patients, per year.

“MaKenzie passed away several years ago, but in honor of her memory, Jeff has devoted so much time and effort to creating a fundraiser for his team,” said Melissa Cipriano, executive director of the nonprofit. “Each September for the past 29 years, we have had our 5K. It is one of our major fundraisers that we do ... so we could provide our services.”

Team Kenzie has raised upwards of $50,000 for the nonprofit between the fireworks and 5K, Helvin said.

“She actually didn’t like fireworks a whole lot, so we’re not out here because she loved it, but we’re out here because it’s a great opportunity to raise money and we continue to honor her memory and try to keep her alive,” Helvin said.

For more information on the nonprofit or to find additional ways to help beyond the fireworks booth or the 5K race, visit candlelightersnv.org.

Back to top

SHARE