Here’s why Youngstown’s downtown will be lit up orange and blue on Wednesday

Drivers around downtown Youngstown on May 15 will see blue and orange lights in honor of All for the Kids Day.

Blue and orange lights are set to illuminate the Premier Bank Tower and the Market Street Bride and Huntington Bank Community Alley.

What is All for the Kids Day?

According to the Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, All for the Kids Awareness Day honors children impacted by chronic and terminal illnesses as well as disabilities.

It was signed into Ohio law as an official holiday at the end of 2016 when Governor John Kasich signed Ohio HB 580.

Now, every May 15, Americans are encouraged to wear orange and blue to show solidarity.

Approximately 27% of kids in the U.S. have a chronic illness that affects their day-to-day life.

According to the Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, it’s all about providing hope and support for these kids and their families.

Organizations and individuals donate money to help cover costs of treatment, medical care and activities outside of their illnesses.

A mom from Hilliard named Cristina N. shared this story on the Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley website:

“The day my daughter was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney disease was a moment of sheer terror and confusion. Everything I knew and believed was tested. Getting to soccer practice on time suddenly seemed trivial. Testing, medical procedures, medications, hospitalization, learning medical lingo and putting on that brave face for my child puts you in a place you never thought you would be. The fear of outcomes and the everyday anxiety tied to uncertainty can be debilitating. With the help of organizations, like the Hope Foundation, and All for the Kids Day, I know that there is a whole community of individuals and organizations that understand that my daughter, and kids like her, thrive when they know they are not alone and there are opportunities for support.”

Sign up for our Mahoning Matters newsletter

Support our journalists with a tax-deductible donation

This story was originally published May 14, 2024 at 7:47 PM.