Brody Savoie knows how to turn dreams into reality.
And he would like you to join him in his dream-come-true.
The community is invited to come to Marine Park on Saturday, June 20 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Friendship Day.
Brody has planned lots of activities. With help from the arts council, friendship bracelets are going to be made between 11 and 4.
Face painting was one of Brody’s initial ideas, but he and his mom Michelle Kuster are now thinking it might be a bit too much money to hire someone. If they find someone willing to volunteer their time, all the proceeds will go towards research and treatment of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) as well as Lyme Disease.
Kuster explains that her dad and Brody’s grandfather, aged 56, died just after Christmas from Lyme disease. He was first diagnosed with ALS but later tested positive for Lyme. They want to do what they can to prevent it from happening to someone else.
Ardie Burnham, who works at the Salmon Arm branch of the Okanagan Regional Library, will be coming from 11 a.m. to noon to read stories.
Michelle explains that Brody is a big fan of Burnham’s. On one occasion when Brody was studying the brain, he looked at the psychology section with her and, with her help, they “found the good books.”
Brody and his mom are also busily thinking up team games for Friendship Day – such as sack races, egg and spoon, a three-legged race and maybe even soccer.
Kuster points out that Brody will have to miss his soccer game in order to put on Friendship Day, so his coach said he might be able to get some soccer players to come down afterwards to join in.
Also on Saturday is the annual Dragon Boat Festival.
When Brody addressed city council, he was asked if he was OK with holding his event in conjunction with Aboriginal Day at Marine Park on June 21. He was happy with it. However, since then, organizers realized the annual Kid’s Fishing Derby is also on June 21 so it could be too much to have all three events.
Brody and his mom said they would be telling people to be sure to come back the next day for Aboriginal Day celebrations.
Asked what his next big idea is, Brody doesn’t hesitate.
“To have it happen all over the world.”
Kuster says he’s been researching the United Nations lately.
In the meantime, Brody hopes lots of people will join him on Saturday.
Like the poster he made to advertise the event says: “Come on down and join us. Make sure and bring a friend.”