Tickets for Children's Charities
"Anyone who does anything to help a child in this life is a hero to me." -- Fred Rogers
At Idlewild, we agree with our late friend Mister Rogers. That's what the Tickets for Children's Charities program is all about... helping others make a difference in the lives of children.
This program helps to provide lasting memories of summer fun to disadvantaged children and/or children with disabilities by providing tickets to the organizations directly serving them. Idlewild, as part of the Kennywood Entertainment family of parks in Western Pennsylvania - Kennywood, Idlewild & SoakZone, and Sandcastle - have donated nearly 200,000 days of fun.
Applications for Tickets for Children's Charities are received each fall, with awards and distributions made after the first of each year. There are two categories of tickets: one benefiting individual children, and the other benefiting an organization that directly supports children. The park receives hundreds of requests for charitable tickets each year. While our hearts go out to the charitable organizations and their dedicated work, we unfortunately cannot award tickets for every request. Only charities specifically benefitting disadvantaged or disabled children will qualify for consideration. Thousands of tickets are awarded by a rotating committee from each park each season.
For more than a century, Idlewild has worked to provide the finest in fun and entertainment for children, families and groups. To do so we've teamed with schools, churches, ethnic groups, communities and social service providers. This has been, and will continue to be, our mission.
Click here if you are requesting Tickets for Children's Charities for Kennywood, Sandcastle or Idlewild.
Idlewild in the Community
In-Kind Donations
Across our region, and throughout the country, individuals, groups, and non-profit organizations are working to make this world a better place. While it isn't possible to contribute to every good cause, Idlewild strives to share some of its resources to help meet needs throughout the region. For instance:
Idlewild collects canned food donations several times throughout the operating season to help families in need. All canned food items are donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank.
When possible, Idlewild & SoakZone has donated the use of park property for community or charitable events such as the YMCA 5-K Run/Walk and Children's Day sponsored by Representative Jess Stairs.
Idlewild has co-sponsored and our Team Members participate in The Great Ligonier Clean Up helping in trash collection along US Route 30.
Idlewild Team Members and characters participate in many community parades and events.
The Idlewild management team and staff regularly participate in or speak at local Chamber events, Rotary events, and Travel shows. Also, we love speaking to students at educational events such as the Latrobe Chamber of Commerce's Day of Economic Understanding at St. Vincent College.
Our mascot, Ricky Raccoon and our Story Book Forest Characters enjoy taking road trips for community and fund-raising appearances throughout the year. Information regarding such visits, or other types of in-kind donations, may be directed to pat@idlewild.com.