LaShonda Shade was devastated when her father passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) last fall. But this spring, Shade decided to turn this loss into a way to help others. "Family Fun Day" is the result, and it is set to take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 1 - 5 p.m. at Holly Oak Park in Shelby. She came up with the idea for a "fun day" to raise both awareness of ALS and funds for those currenty dealing with the disease.
Shade and other volunteers have numerous activities planned for the day. Bouncy houses, basketball and other games will be featured outside, while a bingo game with a $50 grand prize and a raffle with a $100 grand prize will be featured inside. Hot food and sweet treats, including snow cones, will be available for purchase along with ALS memorabilia.
Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for kids ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are admitted free.
Shade decided to hold the fundraiser because she felt lucky not to have faced the financial hardships that many families experience when dealing with ALS.
"We were just so fortunate," says Shade. "My father worked for the City of Shelby, and he had good insurance and lots of support. A lot of people with ALS don't have those things."
Shade's father, Timmy Thompson, was born and raised in Kingstown, and he worked for the City of Shelby at Holly Oak Park for 15 years. Three years ago his speech began to change, and soon afterwards he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
According to the ALS Association, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and approximately 20,000 people in the United States have the disease at any given time.
"We are dedicating this Family Fun Day not only to my father but also to all the people who are silently and publicly dealing with this disease," says Shade. Proceeds will go to current ALS patients and families for medical expenses, supplies and other financial needs.
"We were very fortunate not to have struggled to pay for treatments and medications. Many people are not that fortunate, and we wanted to find a way to help them. This fun day is our way of doing that, while bringing joy and excitement to adults and children of the area," says Shade.
In addition to the fun activities, a representative of the ALS Foundation will give a presentation to help explain more about the rare disease.
"We just want to raise awareness and support for those who are dealing with this awful disease," says Shade.
To volunteer, donate or get more information, contact Shade by email at
lashondashade98@gmail.com or by calling 704-974-2348.

By April Hoyle-Shauf, Special to Community First Media