“I liked this trip better than soccer, and you know how much I love soccer!” – Children’s Inn resident at the end of the respite weekend

CCF was proud to support the 8th Annual Shirley’s Kids Respite Weekend – a program funded to honor CCF’s founder, Shirley Howard. Five families from The Children’s Inn began their weekend with CCF on their way to Alexandria and National Harbor. The weekend provided an opportunity for Inn families to focus on an off-site adventure, enabling them to forget about treatment for a weekend.

CCF Board Secretary and Giant Food’s Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Terry McGowan, along with Board member Steve Coomes, met the families at Giant Food (Store #132, 10400 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda) to distribute Giant Food backpacks filled with fruit, drinks, and snacks to begin their weekend. CCF extends thanks to Store Manager Mike Brusoe and HBC Manager Antoneek Martin for their help and for contributing delicious snacks to the group.

The families did not let the rain interfere with their weekend outing. After visiting Giant, they checked into the Hotel Indigo in Old Town Alexandria and spent the day having lunch, shopping and riding the King Street trolley. In the evening, they traveled to National Harbor and had dinner at Rosa Mexicano  where they celebrated a resident’s birthday. Once the rain subsided, they were able to explore the National Harbor before heading back. On Sunday morning, the group enjoyed breakfast at the hotel, walked along the water, took in the sights and ended the weekend with a great lunch.

CCF is proud of this enduring partnership with The Children’s Inn and grateful to provide a weekend of enjoyment for families who are facing unimaginable challenges. We learned of one special circumstance around this weekend from Aisha Dubose of The Children’s Inn: “One of our teens has been at The Children’s Inn with his sister as his caregiver for close to three years. Their mom had the chance to come to visit once, her first time to the US, and he was sick the entire visit.  This trip allowed them quality time and a host of memories before his two-year treatment period ends and he returns home in a few months.”

A huge thank you to Giant Food and Terry McGowan and Board member Steve Coomes for welcoming the families on their first stop.

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