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Over the weekend, the second annual Blessings from Bradley birthday party/ toy drive was held at Southbend Park. According to Michelle Scarborough, the creator of Blessings from Bradley, the event was a success and raised double the amount it made last year.

“Everything went absolutely amazing,” Scarborough said. “It was just phenomenal to see the outpouring of love and support from family and friends and from the community.”

Scarborough said through the raffle sales, t-shirt sales and donations, they were able to raise roughly $7,000.

“Every cent we raised will go toward helping give children in need full Christmases,” Scarborough said.

During the first annual Blessings from Bradley, the family hosted a birthday party in honor of Bradley Kennedy and was able to provide full Christmases for 18 families. With the donations brought in this year, they look to double the amount of families they can help, according to Scarborough.

Kennedy was seven-years-old when he passed tragically in December 2020 following an ATV accident. The family not only uses this day to remember his life but also as a way to honor his spirit and give back to the community.

At Saturday’s event, the Kennedy family accepted toys of all types and had a rock signing station where attendees could sign in honor of Kennedy, wishing him a happy heavenly birthday.  Along with laughter, cake, balloon swords and unity, the afternoon was filled with a few tears.

“I just want to thank everybody for coming out here because there’s so many days throughout this year that we cry, and we lose it,” Chase Kennedy, Kennedy’s father tearfully said. “We miss him every day, and we do stuff like this it puts a smile on our faces. I know Bradley was looking down right now and he’s smiling.”

Chase said if it was up to him, he would have given up but thanks God for giving him the strength and hope to celebrate Kennedy’s memory with the toy drive.

“It’s helping us heal every year, and it gets a little bit easier,” Chase said.

Anyone interested in donating to the charity can do so through Venmo under Michelle Scarborough @Blessings-from-Bradley.