They knew, however, they could do better and their goal for 2006 was to double that amount to $50,000. When the four-day event at the end of July was finished, Prudential Georgia Realty had collected $55,000. After event expenses which included a catered dinner for more than 400 one evening, the net proceeds to the Sunshine Kids Foundation were $42,000.

“As this annual event gets more established in the community, there’s no limit to how much we can help these children,” said Robert Aiken. “We’re already talking about how we can make the show bigger and better for next year.”

The Ticket to Ride event was helped this year when local resident and celebrity comedian Jeff Foxworthy signed on to be the official spokesperson. Foxworthy recorded radio promotion spots to publicize the event and donated several items to the silent auction held as part of the Ticket to Ride show.

To learn more about the Ticket to Ride Horse Shows, held in Alpharetta a the Wills Park Equestrian Center, visit www.400north.prudentialgeorgia.com or www.tickettoridehorseshows.com

Some form of cancer affects, on average, more than 12,000 children in the United States each year. Cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease in children under 15. The goal of the Sunshine Kids Foundation is to help families deal with this disease and to help these children have a quality of life by providing them with positive group activities and outings so they can do what kids are supposed to do---have fun and celebrate life. If you would like more information about the Sunshine Kids Foundation and how it might benefit someone in your community, visit www.sunshinekids.org.