Third annual ‘Kindness Festival’ helps victims of abuse

Justin’s Foundation for Kindness is hosting the third annual Kindness Festival in support of raising funds for horrific animal abuse cases and domestic abuse.

The annual Kindness Festival brings the Chester County community together for a day of fun filled entertainment, along with live music and Philly country station WXTU will be onsite. The event on Saturday, July 7 runs from noon to 6 p.m. at West Brandywine Township Park at 198 Lafayette Road in West Brandywine Township.

Attendees can enjoy food, attractions, prizes, vendors, pony rides, go-karts, meet and greet with Paw Patrol and the fire truck along with a favorite Disney Princesses. State Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19, of West Whiteland, will be in attendance to update the public on his efforts to improve animal abuse laws and safety in schools.

“We are committed to preventing animal cruelty by continuing the acts of kindness started by Justin Hayes,” Event organizers said in a news release. “The annual Kindness Festival raises critical funds to provide support to Justice Rescue who are true heroes placing their lives on the line daily by patrolling our communities in an effort to put an end to horrific animal abuse in our Pennsylvania counties.”

Event organizers noted that research has proven that animal abuse is a segue into domestic, elder and child abuse, and is the link between cruelty towards animals and violence toward humans.

“One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it,” Anthropologist Margaret Mead is quoted as saying.

Event organizers say it is time to focus on spreading a little kindness, in honor of Hayes.

Foundation President Melissa Falvo encourages everyone to help stop the cycle of violence and “let kindness be your footprint.”

Justin’s Foundation for Kindness is a non-profit organization aimed at continuing the footprint of kindness acts started by Justin Hayes before he lost his life in May 2016. The mission of the Foundation is to make a significant impact on malicious animal cruelty by assisting local based rescues across the country with the most horrific cases of emergency care and strong efforts to fight abuse. The hope is that the kindness footprint of Hayes will help transform lives and produce an endless chain of effects, a circle of kindness throughout the world.

For more information, visit http://justinsfoundationforkindness.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Justin Hayes is the inspiration behind a community event set for Saturday July 7. It will be hosted by Justin’s Foundation for Kindness at the West Brandywine Township Community Park. The event benefits animal rescue efforts.