Jim and Joanne Panozzo began a fundraising walk six years ago for their 8-year-old daughter Sarah, the walk “Smiles for Sarah-Take a hike for NF research and Children’s Memorial Hospital.” Sarah has neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow on nerve endings in the body.

The Panozzos have created a fundraising walk to benefit neurofibromatosis research and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s walk will be held in Central Park in Oak Forest.

This year the Panozzos are encouraging their 16-year-old twin sons Jim and Mike, and 13-year-old daughter Nikki to become more active in the family fundraiser. The siblings are soliciting for donors and sponsors. The two boys have written a letter, calling their fundraising appeal “Big Kids Helping Little Kids.”

The reason for having the siblings take a more active role this year was important to Mr. Panozzo:

“It’s a disease that affects the family,” Jim Panozzo said. “Everybody has hardships. We just need to give back. My thing is I tell the kids to be thankful for their blessings. If there is something you can do for others, you do it.

This year they raised $18,000, and Panozzo feels this is because of his childrens’ involvement. In years previous they have raised $10,000 - $12,000.

This year 400 people participated. It was a larger group of people than every before. There was also a post party after the walk to benefit Make a Wish that raised $1500.

“We’re just trying to help down the road, not just what my daughter has, but other diseases. I wanted to get my kids involved. Because that’s the next generation doing it (charity work).” said Jim Panozzo.

Source: oakforeststar.com