The family of Leo Kushnir and many volunteers from the community will host a pediatric cancer awareness and family fun festival at the Schnecksville Fire Company May 9 and 10, rain or shine.

The son of Andrea and Daniel Kushnir, of Orefield, Leo was diagnosed with cancer in August 2022.

His grandmother, Sharon Harring, reports Leo, now 5 1/2, is a rambunctious child who is funny and hilarious. Leo will have to check in for medical care every three months until he is 7.

His parents started a nonprofit, Leo’s League Pediatric Cancer Fund, “to raise awareness of the disease and to support other families with grants and an opportunity to get together with other people going through the same experience.”

This occasion will be a chance to raise funds for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley as well as the nonprofit started by the Kushnirs.

“We want to pay it forward to help their families. We are currently helping 13 local families” Harring said.

She noted many times one of the parents has to quit a job to take care of the child and appointments, but expenses add up not only for medical visits but also transportation and sometimes accommodations for treatment sites away from home.

This event begins 6 p.m. May 9 in the social hall at the Schnecksville Fire Company and continues until 9 p.m.

Friday evening consists of a raffle for baskets and lots of gift cards from local businesses and continues until 4 p.m. May 10.

May 10 is fun fest for people of all ages on the grounds of the Schnecksville Fire company and in the pavilion 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music will be provided by a DJ in the morning and three bands throughout the afternoon. The bands are donating their time.

Nine food trucks will be present, as well as mascots such as MeLVin from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Dani Long Legs, a regular performer at IronPigs games, will entertain from her vantage point on stilts.

Animal encounters, goat snuggling and pony rides will be available.

There will be a kids’ craft area focused on Mother’s Day items, a workshop project from Home Depot and a bake sale.

The beer garden will be open at the pavilion.

The Upper Lehigh Lions Club will provide food for volunteers and warrior families.

Admission and parking are free. People may give freewill donations.

“This is a family friendly, affordable event. The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley was wonderful to our family. We are so thankful and we want to help others,” Harring said.