By MADDY VITALE
TV personality Bob Kelly, of Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia,” brought his love for kids to Sea Isle City on Sunday where a cornhole tournament for his nonprofit Kelly’s Kidz raised funds to give to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
The event was held in a heated tent outside of the Oar House Pub, courtesy of pub owner Jimmy Bennett, who got in touch with Kelly and said he’d love to have the important event on behalf of the children at his business.
“I am so happy to help Bob and Kelly’s Kidz,” Bennett said in between tossing a bag for fun at the tourney, alongside Kelly. “I reached out to Bob because I knew he did something for St. Christopher’s. I told him that I wanted to be a part of it any way I could.”
Kelly founded Kelly’s Kidz to collect toys, pajamas and donations to benefit children in pediatric hospitals.
He started the nonprofit when his son, Austin, 11, was an infant. Austin became ill due to an allergy to his baby formula and had to be hospitalized, Kelly said Sunday.
Kelly noticed during his son’s hospital stay that there needed to be more items to distract children from their visit. That thought by Kelly is what led to the creation of Kelly’s Kidz.
Fast forward years later, Austin, who is very healthy, attends some of the benefits that help other children.
Kelly asked participants at Sunday’s cornhole tournament to bring a pair of children’s pajamas to benefit a child in the pediatric hospital.
“Everyone either has a child or knows of a child who has been treated at a pediatric hospital,” Kelly said. “A simple pair of pajamas can cost just $5 and make a child happy and make the person who is giving the gift feel that they did something good for someone.”
Donations to Kelly’s Kidz go toward games, activities and other essential things for children in the hospital.
One of the tournament’s players, Rob Prihoda, of New Britain, Pa., followed through with some successful tosses of the bags before saying a few words about the benefit.
“It is for a good cause, and I wanted to have fun with my future brother-in-law,” Prihoda said.
Prihoda and other players seemed wrapped up in their games, which, while a competition, also meant money would go toward helping create some cheer for children in the hospital.
Chris Rausch, of Yardley, Pa., came down to Sea Isle to visit his cousin, Tom Robinson, and try his hand at baggo.
“I get to hang out with my cousin and give to a good cause,” Rausch said.
Rausch was playing alongside retired Ocean City Police Lt. Brian Hopely, who carefully lined up his tosses while getting bag after bag into the hole.
“It’s for a good cause,” Hopely noted during a brief break from the game.
Kelly’s Kidz hosts toy drives throughout the year, collecting hospital wish-list items to deliver to the hospitals.
“What’s great is Kelly’s Kidz supports St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children all year long,” Kelly said.
Kelly recently began DJing at the Oar House Pub on Wednesday nights.
“He is just a great guy,” Bennett said. “He really cares about people and really gets to know them.”
For more information or to make a donation to Kelly’s Kidz, visit https://www.kellyskidzevents.org/
