By Josh Faith – Parent of AFW Passenger
Inspiration for the Ball
The first Princess Ball was held in March of 2009 as a homecoming celebration of life and the completion of treatment for four year-old Valicity Lee Faith. Valicity was diagnosed with Leukemia on January 14th 2008 — just 1 week before her third birthday. She went through 13 long months of chemotherapy in Seattle before the cancer was considered to be in remission; and our family was able to return home, with treatment cycles of chemo medication spaced out to once a month. We chose to hold a homecoming celebration of life with friends and family. We always considered her a princess so it felt appropriate to have a Princess Ball in her honor.
In March of 2010 Valicity relapsed with Leukemia and received additional treatment in Seattle. On July 6th 2010 Valicity lost her battle with cancer gaining her wings and joining the angels above.
In Valicity’s five wonderful, but short years here on earth, she proved that she had a gift, a gift of giving and bringing people together with her cheerful personality, contagious smile and laughter. This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate her life and share with others some of the gifts that she gave us.
History of the Ball
In March 2011, we hosted the 1st Annual Princess Ball in memory of our little princess Valicity. The Ball was created for kids of all ages by allowing them to dress up and participate in fun games and events. The 2011 ball was a fundraiser for Angel Flight West — a nonprofit organization that helped transport our family to and from Seattle for Valicity’s monthly check-ups.
The 2011 Ball surpassed all expectations with more than 400 attendees and raised $15,000.
The 2nd Annual Princess Ball in January 2012 benefited “The Montana Hope Project.” This organization made one of Valicity’s dreams come true by helping her to visit Disney World. This event demonstrated Valicity’s gift to bring people together with over 640 attendees and more than $24,000 in funds raised that funded the dreams of at least 4 more children.
The 3rd Annual Princess Ball benefited “The Ronald McDonald house Charities of Montana.” This event once again demonstrated Valicity’s overwhelming gift to bring people together making it a huge success with bringing together over 1,200 people and raising $35,000.
The 4th Annual Princess Ball in March 2014 benefited once again “The Montana Hope Project.” In honor of our daughter and nephew Mikey Wilke who lost his battle with Muscular Dystrophy in 2013 joining his cousin Valicity. One of Mikey’s request is that he have the Princess Ball for the Montana Hope Project as he was also a recipient of this great organization. Also allowing one of his dreams come true by visiting Disney World. This event demonstrated Valicity’s gift once again selling out with tickets bring people together with over 1,500 attendees and more than $60,000 in funds raised.
This year the 5th Annual Princess Ball this year is going to be held on March 7th of 2015 at the Red Lion Hotel of Kalispell benefiting once again Angel Flight West. The goal is for that event to be bigger than previous years’, with more entertainment, raffle prizes, and drawings
Photos from Valicity’s Angel Flights:
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://valicitysonceuponatime.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValicitysOnceUponATimePrincessBall
Phone #: (406)250-6144
