Skydiving fundraiser to help disabled children

"We Can Fly: A Freefall Fundraiser to Benefit Disabled Children and Their Families" will raise funds through sponsorships of individual skydivers who will "jump for the cause" on Sat., May 11 at Skydive Perris. Experienced skydivers will also be participating, but the majority will be novices—friends, families and supporters of special needs children.

Donations will benefit PAUSE4KIDS, a Ventura County-based nonprofit group that helps children with physical and developmental disabilities. Keri Bowers, whose 13-year-old son Taylor is autistic, is the group’s founder.

Bowers and her group work closely with teachers, social agencies, therapists and parents to improve special education programs through organized advocacy. In addition to pushing for legislative reform, PAUSE4KIDS also develops social and recreational opportunities for special children.

Terri Mandell, co-creator of the event, has an 11-year-old son with a life-threatening illness.

We Can Fly donors can either sponsor a particular jumper or make a tax-deductible contribution directly to PAUSE4KIDS. Admission is free for spectators, and special rates are being offered to skydivers. For directions and information to the site, please call (800) SKYDIVE.

To become a sponsor or to make a reservation to skydive, call Bowers at (805) 376-2918 or visit the Website at www.wecanfly.org.