News: Hersheypark Hosts Foster Family Day

Posted at 6:18 PM EDT (2218 GMT)

Jun. 16th, 2004 -- On Tuesday, June 15, Hersheypark held a special free day for foster children and their families.

Over 1000 children and parents from eight surrounding counties attended the event, put on in part by an organization called The Second Mile, a non-profit group that serves Pennsylvania's youth. "There's nothing like an amusement park for a kid," said group founder Jerry Sandusky.

All in attendance were grateful for the event. For Darla Keenan, this was the third time she had attended the event, this year with four foster children. "We wouldn't be able to afford to come if we had to pay for our own tickets," she said. Typically her family would pay $97.85 for admittance. Another foster mother, Liz Lipsitz, called the event, "a great bonding experience for [the kids] and the rest of the family."

The general manager of Hersheypark, Frank O'Connell, said that he was, "very proud to partake in something we think our founder would have been proud of." This is Hersheypark's 16th consecutive year of hosting the event.Visit The Patriot News for more information.