Ice Cream Social Raises Money For Julia's Legacy of Hope

PALOS PARK, IL -- Palos Park’s finest and bravest will be part of the fifth annual Julia’s Legacy of Hope Ice Cream Social this Sunday, Aug. 26, in collaboration with St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The back to school shave and ice cream social runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at The Plush Horse, 12301 S. 86th St. in Palos Park. Free parking is available across the street at the church.

Julia Marie Janes passed away in November 2013 at age 20. She was an amazing athlete, scholar and young woman who loved children. In her sophomore year of high school, when she was 16 years old, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a soft tissue and bone cancer that usually strikes teens. Julia played for the varsity soccer team and graduated as a member of the National Honor Society from Oak Forest High School. Although Julia had successfully won her battled with Ewing’s Sarcoma, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a secondary cancer to her Ewing’s, during her sophomore year at Bradley University.

Julia’s Legacy of Hope was founded by her family to honor her memory. The organization endeavors to raise funds for childhood cancer research, college scholarships for students who possess the spirit of Julia, and to give comfort to kids with cancer and their families. Featured activities include:

• Best Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Italian Ice
• Live music by the Lemmon Brothers followed by guitarist, Ray Gavin
• New Park Activities for the Kids
• T-shirt Tie Dying
• Visits and Gifts from the Palos Park Fire and Police Departments
• Meet Mr. Cone
• Split the Pot
• Popper Prize Gift Cards
• Great Raffle Baskets
• Julia's Positivity Swag
• Brain Freeze Competitions
• Extra Parking ( free) at the church across the street

Attendees can also show their solidarity with children undergoing cancer treatment by shaving their heads for St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Those who brave the shave and donate $50 or more will receive a St. Baldrick’s T-shirt. A $100 donation will get you a Julia’s Legacy of Hope T-shirt while supplies last. For more information about the ice cream social, visit Julia’s Legacy of Hope on Facebook.

Photos: Julia Janes' parents, Jeff and Leslie, gather with members of the Palos Park police and fire departments at the 2016 ice cream social and Julia Janes. | Palos Park Police Department and Julia's Legacy of Hope Facebook page.