The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley brought abundant sunshine to the families of cancer warriors with their Christmas in July event July 24 at Pavilion No. 3 in Upper Macungie Township’s Grange Park.

“It’s just a really nice afternoon in the park for a lot of deserving families,” PCFLV Executive Director Michelle Zenie said.

While PCFLV usually hosts a family party every summer, this is their first “Christmas in July” themed event.

“We probably will make it an annual event,” Zenie said.

Activities included games, art projects and appearances by Mulan, Ariel and Minnie Mouse, plus some elves.

Each child battling cancer and their siblings took home Christmas gifts.

The families, arriving from all points of the compass, also enjoyed pizza, pretzel bites and the event favorite, shaved ice.

Looking like a fuzzy snowdrift, “Caesar,” a therapy dog owned by Dan Serbia, of Alburtis, provided comfort to those attending the PCFLV Christmas in July event.

The 12-year-old White Magic Samoyed found plenty of comfort as McCoy Rapa, of Schnecksville, and John Notchey, of Bethlehem, scratched his back.

Rapa was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Notchey with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma. Both have responded well to treatment.

“They (PCFLV) has been very good to us,” Notchey, a Liberty High School senior, said.

Gregory Smith, diagnosed with germinoma brain cancer in 2016, and two of his siblings, Alyssa and Peter, celebrated a Smith family sweep of a game of bingo.

All three Schnecksville residents got to pick their prizes, with Gregory choosing a kazoo.

The Smiths also cautiously celebrate four years without a sign of cancer.

The Latimer and Carter families drove from East Stroudsburg to attend with AJ Latimer, who is on maintenance treatment for T-cell leukemia.

Jasmin Boyd traveled from Mount Pocono to volunteer. She has been battling leukemia for two and a half years.

The Stravinski family brought Madeline, their leukemia warrior, and her brother Austin, of Green Lane, to participate in the PCFLV event.

The foundation successfully pivoted to virtual programming for the families they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The hardest part for us was fundraising,” Zenie said as she explained the virtual fundraising efforts weren’t as successful as previous in-person fundraisers had been.

The executive director expressed hope and optimism that, as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, there will be more opportunities to find support for their organization with in-person fundraisers.

PCFLV is a local nonprofit which provides financial, social and emotional support and programming for local pediatric cancer families.

With offices at 2132 S. 12th St., Suite 401, Allentown, the foundation is a short distance from Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, which provides pediatric oncology care.

For more information about the PCFLV, visit pcflv.org.