After Wade passed away, Wade's grandmother, Ann Foley (Nana) knew she wanted to keep Wade's memory alive, but she also realized that family members needed a channel for their grief. So Ann, Jennifer, Brad, Aunt Amy and Uncle Cody sat down to think about how they could honor Wade Allen's memory. Their thoughts returned to the festival they had thrown in the fall before he entered the hospital. Wade had been there, too, and had enjoyed all the fun the other children had. They agreed to put on a fund raiser in the form of a Fall Festival each year and donate the money they raised to help the families of other children stricken with cancer, leukemia and other terminal illnesses.
The first Wade's Funds for Little Ones Fall Festival was held in Nana's backyard in Santa Fe. People came from all around to make it a huge success. The Fall Festival was such a success we decided to continue, but knew we needed a bigger site. So in 1998, we moved the Festival to Jack Brooks Fair and Rodeo Grounds. The festival is held the 3rd Saturday of each October. Families come out and spend the day enjoying good bar-b-que, games, rides, live and silent auctions, petting zoo, and entertainment.
Attending our Fall Festival may not change the outcome or take away the illnesses that these children have, but come and work the festival with us once and see the smiles the festival brings to their faces at least that one day. That, my friend, is what we're all about, helping children during this devastating time in their life and at the same time remembering a special little boy named Wade Allen Smith.
When we lost Wade, we knew no one could ever take his place. At first, our family went down by one member, but over the years, our family has grown to include hundreds. The many people who have given so generously have now all become a part of our family. We could never be able to put on such a festival if it were not for all of the great volunteers and generous donors over the years.
These are a few of the pictures from the 1st Annual Fall Festival held at Nana Foley's house in Santa Fe.
Ticket Booth at 1st Annual Fall Festival
The children had fun!
Larry, Pam and Jennifer
Wade's 2 Great Grandma's -Granny & Meme
We had lots of pumpkins!
It finally stopped raining
Thank you to all the volunteers and donors over the years who have made Wade's Funds for Little Ones Annual Fall Festival such a success!
Wade's Funds for Little Ones is a 501c3 organization
