Mascot Games supports New Hope for Kids

For more information about New Hope for Kids grief and wish programs, visit newhopeforkids.org or call Dana at 407-331-3059. To make a donation, please contribute online, or call Marla Sullivan about NHFK’s Capital Campaign at 407-331-3059.

While smiles have been hard to come by in the week following the Orlando terror attack, more than 200 hundred Central Florida families found much needed release, along with fun and games, at the Mascot Games pre-game meet-and-greet on Thursday, June 16. Dozens of team icons went wild and showed their stuff in anticipation of the June 17 and 18 Mascot Games at the Amway Center, featuring the “lucky charms” from both college and professional sports. Orlando area mascots included Stuff the Magic Dragon from the Orlando Magic, Kingston from Orlando City Soccer, Shades from the Orlando Solar Bears, and Knightro from the University of Central Florida. New Hope for Kids sponsored the special pre-game event at the Maitland Presbyterian Church, hosting both New Hope families and more than 24 participating mascots from around the country, as well as Canada.

The event opened with a moment of silence in remembrance of the week’s tragic events. NHFK Executive Director Dave Joswick noted that the meet-and-greet offered a “bright light during a time of darkness.” Joswick shared that more than 12,000 children and families were expected at this weekend’s games, with NHFK reaching out to the community and local charities, donating tickets to Boys Town, the Foundation for Foster Children, and other local nonprofits, making the games accessible for kids throughout greater Orlando.

Joswick expressed his gratitude to the crowd of professional mascots who had come together for the weekend to help raise awareness and funds for NHFK’s Center for Grieving Children and Wishes for Kids programs. Joswick explained that families that experienced the loss of a loved one were often reluctant to reach out and get help, and that it was his hope that the Mascot Games would create awareness of New Hope’s free grief-counseling services, where kids in the same situation and trained grief counselors literally offer “New Hope for Kids” in the newly renovated Maitland location.

Members of the Quince/Torrence family have been attending the pre-game meet-and-greet since 2010. After the tragic loss of their father, 14-year-old Kiara and 15-year-old Nadia first came to NHFK for grief and family counseling in 2009. Their mother, Twyla, shared that while at first she was reluctant to bring her family (as Joswick previously mentioned), “Once we got there, I had no idea why I waited. It was good for the kids to feel appreciated, and to be able to share their grief with kids who could relate to them.”

While the family no longer receives grief services, they have stayed on as volunteers to help families going through similar experiences. Both Nadia and Kiara shared that the yearly mascot events were “hilarious and entertaining,” with the whole family looking forward to a handshake and hug from UCF’s Knightro. Twyla, a UCF alum, noted, “I look forward to time with the mascots even more than the kids.”

Throughout the evening, the professional party animals entertained the troops, bringing laughter and joy to the packed gymnasium. Rachel Hoptopp, 20, was more than just a smiling face in the crowd. The “Wish Kid” was attending the meet-and-greet for third year in a row, and has become a New Hope regular after receiving a special Sweet 16 from the non-profit in 2013. Her mother, Liz, explained that the meet-and-greet and other NHFK programs were invaluable to her daughter, who moves with a walker due to a disability. Liz added that visiting with the mascots had become a yearly favorite “because it gets Rachel out into the community, into a safe place where she knows and recognizes kids.”

Local personality Scotty B. served as MC, and kept the crowd energized during a brief question-and-answer session. The families went wild, unleashing cheers and applause as each mascot was introduced and took their place on stage. Though the mascots did not communicate with words, their larger than life body language promised an evening of fun, theatrics, and animal antics. Scotty B. “interpreted” on behalf of the mascots, adding “mascot whisperer” to his lengthy list of talents including MC of the Mascot Games at Amway Arena.

The Master of Ceremonies kicked-off the comedic question-and answer-session, directing several questions to the kids in the audience. Genesis Lopez, 18, asked Fin the Whale from the Vancouver Canucks, “Do you have fun at the games?” Fin, always a meet-and-greet and Mascot Games crowd-pleaser, responded by playfully “blowing his top,” and taking a nibble at the giggling Ms. Lopez.

In a more serious moment, the high school senior, who suffers from spina bifida, explained that NHFK had become a second family to her, and is a place where she can be herself. She said that the wish that she received from the organization last year brought her family a shared and special experience, which allowed them to get away from the challenges of living with illness “and to just have fun.” The Mascot Games have become an additional source of smiles for Genesis and her family.

Following the press conference, the NHFK families were given time for a meet-and-greet with the mascots, where they shook hands, gave hugs, and received autographs. Over the next two days, mascots representing just about every professional sport, participated in the games at Amway Center. More than 12,000 kids cheered on the good luck charms of the sporting world as they competed in good fun for championship of the mascot world. After a weekend of tumbling, theatrics, and just plain going wild, there seems to be few limits on what the mascots are willing to do for a good cause, and to bring smiles and New Hope for Kids.