Julia’s Grace Foundation to hold 7th annual Julia’s Palooza Nov. 16

ROYERSFORD >> Saturday, Nov. 16, marks the 7th annual Julia’s Palooza to benefit Royersford-based, Julia’s Grace Foundation.

This two-part event consists of a family fun fair from noon to 4 p.m. with a $5 admission fee and a Beef and Beer from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with a $30 admission fee (which includes an afternoon ticket). The events will take place at the Friendship Firehouse located at 269 Green Street, Royersford, PA 19468. Both events include music, food, and Julia’s favorite, waffles, and ice cream.

The evening event also features a basket drawing. Tickets for both events can be purchased in advance at www.juliasgracefoundation.org or at the door while supplies last.

Julia’s Grace Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charity, is the namesake of Julia Grace Eveland. Before she died of childhood cancer at age 8, Julia led by example. She always put others first, donating all her birthday gifts to the oncology clinic, entertaining fellow patients with her singing, and asking that proceeds from a school fundraiser for her be re-directed to help find a cure for childhood cancer.

On Aug. 31, 2013, just five days before she passed, Julia shared a list of 10 things her parents could do when they felt down and blue — a simple list of “things to make you happy.” Give someone a hug, Julia’s 10th, and final “grace” is the pillar of Julia’s Grace Foundation®. The complete list is on the home page of the Foundation’s website: https://www.juliasgracefoundation.org/

Translating that list into powerful ways to positively reach out to children and their families as they cope with cancer is the focus of Julia’s Grace Foundation®. The Foundation provides simple surprises (HUGS) and grants monetary assistance (GRACES) for financial hardships arising as a direct result of a child’s cancer care. HUGS are special surprises delivered through Hug Boxes at home, the clinic, or distributed at public events to children who are currently diagnosed with and under treatment for any form of childhood cancer. Julia’s List lends unique themes to each of the four (4) types of typical Hug Boxes. The Foundation also distributes personalized boxes based on a child’s desire.

GRACES are financial assistance to the family in the form of specific bills paid directly by the Foundation. The Foundation bases eligibility for HUGS and GRACES on the referral of a social worker, child life worker, or primary physician.

Julia’s Grace Foundation is a volunteer organization with no paid employees. Operations are managed and run by volunteers. The Foundation raises money through various events, direct donations, and selling tee shirts based on Julia’s List.

Julia’s Palooza, held in November each year near Julia’s birthday, continues her tradition of providing happiness to others on her special day. This year the event is on what would have been Julia’s 15th birthday.

Along with Julia’s Palooza, the Foundation conducts countless fundraisers and raises funds to provide “HUGS” and “GRACES.” Initially, the distribution of the Foundation’s Hug Boxes was limited to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where Julia’s treatment was centered. Still, as word spread of the Foundation, support has gone nationwide. As of October 2019, the Foundation has shipped more than 4,400 HUG boxes to children’s hospitals across the U.S., including Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Stanford Children’s Health in Palo Alto, Calif.

Proceeds from the 7th Annual Julia’s Palooza will fund additional HUG box distribution. Each box costs approximately $20 to produce, so no donation is too small in support of an equal number of box distributions in 2020. Also, to date,

Graces have been bestowed upon close to 200 families.

For more information on Julia’s Grace Foundation, visit www.juliasgracefoundation.org