Kids in need get special treat

"Kaye's Kids" give iPads to children with life-threatening illnesses

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Every day, as children fight off life-threatening illnesses, there are local groups working hard to give these kids a bit of a break from their worries. On Wednesday night some special kids were given gifts, and enjoyed a great night out.

Courtney Miller, 19,  can't believe she just landed the best gift ever, a free iPad-- courtesy of "Kaye's Kids."

"I'm just really excited to have this. It's just going to be really fun to play with. And just not think about my medical issues and just to have fun with something," she said.

The iPads are a welcome distraction for a dozen young people like Courtney-- all of them facing life-threatening illnesses.

The "Kaye's Kids" event is an encore occasion for radio station 95.1, WAPE and DJ Mark Kaye, after the first gift giveaway last Christmas was such a success.

"Some of the kids we gave iPads to at Christmas, we were able to reconnect with and they said it really changed their lives for the last six months, so we're just happy to do it," said Kaye.

The group of children were also treated to an evening of dreams, thanks also in part to the local charity Dreams Come True.

They enjoyed the tasty food at a Jacksonville Suns game as they watched from inside the team's donated deluxe suite.

"From the time we started the idea for this charity and the time we got with dreams come true, everyone said the same thing about iPads. It's so important as a piece of these children's treatment. It gives them entertainment, it gives them a smile, it connects them to the outside world," Kaye said.

Kaye and the Big Ape's Morning Mess radio show, hope to make "Kaye's Kids" a tradition twice a year.


About the Author:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.