Summer will be here before you know it. People will be outdoors soaking up the sun, communities bustling with energy that they just can’t replicate the rest of the year. For anyone wanting to do something meaningful for a child or family facing cancer, summer is one of the best times to do it.

You don’t need a background in event planning to make it happen, either. It doesn’t have to be on some massive scale. You just need to show up in one way or another.

The Natural First Step: Find an Event

The easiest place to start is with something you don’t have to build. Many childhood cancer organizations host signature summer events—5Ks, fun runs, golf tournaments, and community days, for example. They’re often open to anyone who wants to participate or volunteer.

But how do you find them?

• Find specific organizations on social media. Check out their websites, but give them a follow on a platform you frequent. Turn their notifications on to be sure you don’t miss details.
• Check Facebook Events. You can sort these events by location (plus virtual events). If you’re familiar with a children’s hospital in your area or other regional nonprofits, they’re the best place to start.
• Sign up for newsletters and/or mailers.

Everyone can participate in some way, and it’s the easiest way to support kids with cancer.

What If I Want to Host My Own Fundraiser?

If you want to do more than show up, hosting a fundraiser doesn't have to be complicated. Some of the most effective community fundraisers are the simple ones.

• Lemonade stand. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation was literally built on this idea. Their annual summer campaign in June lets anyone register a stand and raise funds as part of a national effort. It's a great option for families with kids who want to be involved.
• Backyard cookout or block party. Charge a small entry fee or set up a donation jar. You'd be surprised what a neighborhood will give when asked with a clear purpose.
• A garage sale with a cause. Advertise it as a fundraiser for a specific child or organization and watch your community get behind it.
• A fun run or bike ride. You don't need a timing chip and a finish line banner. A neighborhood route with a pledge-based donation model is something a small group of friends can pull together in a few weeks.

Race-based fundraisers have become one of the most popular formats for good reason — they give participants a personal goal alongside a shared cause. CKSC's own Big Buffalo 50 ultra marathon is a great example of how an annual race can anchor a fundraising community (we just had this year’s race in March).

You may find a similar event near you, or the model itself might inspire you to create one.

What if I want to raise money for a specific family?

Sometimes the most powerful thing isn't a big event at all. If you know a family navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis, a targeted fundraiser in their name can provide practical relief during an already overwhelming time.

Medical costs, travel to treatment, time away from work — the financial weight of a child's illness is real and often invisible to outsiders.

Platforms like GoFundMe make it straightforward to set up a campaign on someone's behalf. Pair it with a social media post, a church bulletin announcement, or a neighborhood email, and you have a simple, immediate way for your community to respond.

Just be sure the family is informed of your intent and ensure it’s something they’re comfortable with.

3 Things That Help Fundraisers Succeed

• Tell a specific story. People give when they understand who they're helping and why it matters. Names, faces, details move people far more than general statistics.
• Set a concrete goal. "Help us raise $500 for [child's name]'s family" gives people something to rally around.
• Make it easy to share. Whether it's a link, a flyer, or a social post, reduce the friction between someone wanting to help and actually doing it.

And if you're not sure where to start, reach out to your local children's hospital foundation or a childhood cancer nonprofit in your area. Most organizations have staff who are ready to help community members get involved, and they can often connect you with families who could use support right now.

Even a few hundred dollars, raised in an afternoon, can matter to a family that's had to stop counting the small costs.