COVID-19 may have prevented KidzWish from being able to hold its annual Chistmas party for children at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
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But the Illawarra-based charity is still planning something special for kids with the help of Symbio Wildlife Park.
KidzWish and Symbio are organisating a wild adventure for local children and will deliver some COVID safe fun to provide a happy ending to a challenging year.
KidzWish general manager Julie Gemmell said it was really important to give kids with a sickness or disability something to look forward to. Especially in a year like 2020.
She said the special day at Symbio to replace the annual Christmas party was being made possible by Matt Radnidge, Kevin Fallon and the team at the wildlife park near Helensburgh.
KidzWish families will be invited to visit the family run zoo from 9.30am on December 3 for a day with the animals that will culminate with the large 40m2 LED drive-in cinema screen used at Shellharbour Airport recently being set up near the Farmyard.
Mr Fallon said Symbio will provide COVID safe entry and other procedures throughout the day and will space out picnic blankets for the families to experience a special movie treat when the park closes.
Mrs Gemmell said it was going to be a day the children can really look forward to and enjoy after missing out on so much in 2020.
She said after the overwhelming interest in the recent drive-in cinema at Shellharbour Airport the children's charity wanted to host more movie nights.
"We know this year has been a tough one with many families cancelling holiday plans due to the coronavirus," Mrs Gemmell said.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our goal is to fill the void of safe entertainment options that so many people have been missing in recent months.
"We know based on our survey of the last event local families are screaming out for more."
Mrs Gemmell said Symbio Wildlife Park's generous offer to host a movie in addition to a day pass for families to visit the zoo was wonderful.
And she hopes it helps kickstart a much better summer for everyone not only in the Illawarra but the rest of NSW.
After the KidzWish family day Symbio will screen movies the following two nights.
The schedule from December 3 to 5 will include Christmas favourites, old time classics and some action packed flicks.
"We will be offering a joint Symbio Zoo and Movie ticket," Mrs Gemmell said.
"For tickets go to http://kidzwish.eventbrite.com."
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