By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – What began as an effort to bring a little attention to the businesses nestled next to each other at Niles Plaza North on S. 11th Street next to McDonald's, has turned into something else entirely.
Kim Wooden of Ameriprise Financial, Shari Bradke of Kutters Unlimited and Shawn Christie-Dunlap of Tranquility Mist Massage are behind the "Summer Festival" being held at Niles Plaza North on July 19. They have banded together to find vendors, organize promotions and handle donations – all to benefit a unique "band of brothers."
"It started out basically as 'let's just have a summer festival,'" said Wooden. "It really built the excitement up," to turn the event into a fundraiser, she added. "Then it really took on a life of its own."
While considering different options, the Wounded Warrior Project came up in a conversation between Bradke and Wooden's assistant, Andi Nichols.
The Wounded Warrior Project is an organization dedicated to providing assistance to severely injured service men and women. The soldiers have suffered debilitating injuries, lost limbs and suffered burns and bullet wounds. Several programs are offered by the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization offers family assistance and organizes sports and other outdoors programs to help soldiers rebuild their confidence and learn to adjust to new ways of living in the aftermath of their injuries. Through the Wounded Warrior Project, servicemen and women will receive backpacks stuffed with everything from calling cards to toiletries, CD players and playing cards – to help make their hospital stays a little easier to bear.
All the proceeds from the Summer Festival at Niles Plaza North will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
"It's going to benefit everybody," said Bradke.
A total of 26 vendors have already been signed for the event including Lia Sophia jewelry, Avon, Herbal Life and other local artists. There will be face painting and a variety of kids games and prizes that include gift certificates from area businesses like Mattress Warehouse, Moonbeads and more. The Niles City Police Department is also planning to attend the event with a display of its Special Response Team equipment, there will be pulled pork, pulled chicken and donation stars available for $1.
"It's a wonderful project," said Christie-Dunlap.
Bradke, Wooden and Christie-Dunlap are still looking for more donations, gifts, games and music. And they're looking for photos of the servicemen and women of Niles.
To highlight their mission to raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project, Wooden, Bradke and Christie-Dunlap are putting together a very special wall of photos of area soldiers. Anyone who wants to contribute a photo of their loved one to the wall can drop them off at Kutters Unlimited at 1221 S. Eleventh St., Suite 105. The photos will be fixed to the wall, which will be on display during the Summer Festival – which will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 19. Those photos can be past or present and they will not be returned.
Vendors are also still welcome to contact Bradke at Kutters Unlimited, 683-9849 if they have questions or want to participate.
For more information on the Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.