A wildly successful 2nd Festival for Children was held on April 22nd – 24th in Thessaloniki, organized by “The Smile of the Child”. The Thessaloniki International Fair No 16 pavilion was flooded by thousands of young and older visitors, playing, having fun and getting informed on the Organization’s actions during this long, fun-packed weekend.
All kids had to chance to travel into fairytale worlds, getting enchanted by the magician’s magic tricks, being left mesmerized by clowns and jugglers on stilts, bake smiling cookies, make their own home-made juice and fruit salads, dance and sing, create robots, getting photographed with their favorite heroes, listen to fairytales, getting transformed into Spring creatures and make Easter handcrafts. A new surprise, a colorful balloon or a treat was awaiting them just around every corner!
Equally useful and interesting were also the Organization’s activities for the parents, including First Aid seminars for infants and children, children injury care by the Greek Red Cross Samaritans, as well as missing children’s demonstration shows in urban and non-urban environments by the “Thanasis Makris” Search & Rescue Team. Interactive assistance for students, parents and teachers on school bullying and safe internet browsing was available in “Ulysses”, the first mobile Media, Education and Technology Lab, while over 450 kids visited “Hippocrates”, the mobile multi-clinic for children and got were given 921 free check-ups by volunteering doctors of various specialties.
Furthermore, the YouSmilers team of volunteering students broadcasted in audio and video, reporting on the Festival vibe and giving out information on the Organization’s actions and objectives, while the visitors responded overwhelmingly to the call for relief items on behalf of the refugee children and the kids in crisis in the country.
A crowd of volunteers, contributing on their precious leisure time and positive attitude to the successful organization of this great event, along with its active Sponsors and Supporters, such as DIOS Natural Mineral Water, made this demanding event possible for “The Smile of the Child”, believing that children deserve festivals, happiness and smiles!
