On December 8, 2012, volunteers, families, and children awaited for Santa to arrive at Kids Castle by fire truck. More than 100 volunteers dressed up as elves, united with members of the Save Kids Castle Committee and local business sponsors Byers’ Choice Ltd. and Stark & Stark Attorneys At Law to help save Kids Castle.

A fundraising challenge was offered to the Save Kids Castle group by Byers’ Choice Ltd. to raise $25,000 by December 31. If met, Byers’ Choice Ltd. would match the money raised with an additional $25,000. We're happy to say they achieved it!

Local elementary, middle, and high school groups, and adults of all ages, volunteered their time, baked sweets and treats, offered hot chocolate, sang carols, and assisted Santa with his visitors, and helped spread the word about the fundraising challenge. And because of the publicity from this event, the Save Kids Castle group met their December 31 goal, making the grand total raised more than $50,000.

The true magic of the Santa event was the power of the community coming together. Children brought drawings with their Christmas wishes for Kids Castle, spare change to contribute to Santa’s kettle, and had their picture taken with Santa to preserve their special moment together.

The Friends of Kids Castle wish to extend their appreciation to the Byers Foundation for matching the $25,000. The fundraising goal was met thanks to donations of all sizes made by a generous community comprised of individuals, families, and service groups. “It is heartwarming to see the community come together to revitalize such a magical place for our children,” said Tyler Tomlinson, the Save Kids Castle community liaison. “Because of the efforts of the community, and the generosity of Byers’ Choice, we only need to raise an additional $100,000 by March 31 in order to fully renovate and restore the iconic castle with new play features.”

Bob Byers Sr., chairman of the Byers Foundation, says he is delighted that the community has seen the value that Kids Castle brings to our children by responding to their $25,000 matching grant. “We really hope other major potential donors will follow our lead and provide similar matching opportunities over the next couple of months so the castle can be restored and opened to the public in June,” he said.

Donations will continue to be accepted on the SaveKidsCastle.org website. The next fundraising benchmark of $150,000 needs to be met by March 31st in order to start refurbishing the interior of the castle.

Saving Kids Castle is truly a grassroots effort involving families, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, individuals, neighbors, etc., and local Central Bucks schools. Future fundraising efforts will include purchasing a brick for the walkway, and adopting a piece of the castle’s artwork. The public is also invited to set up individual/group fundraising pages at SaveKidsCastle.org.

Kids Castle, named by the children of Doylestown Township through an art contest in 1996, is located at 425 Wells Road in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. It is located in Central Park, a 108-acre park that offers a multitude of active and passive recreational opportunities.

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