Kaden’s Kids

In 2022, a generous $10,000 endowment was presented to the Grants Pass Kiwanis Club by the Amaranthus Family Foundation with the request that the funds go towards helping families with children battling cancer defray travel and lodging expenses when medical treatment is required at facilities located outside of Grants Pass. 

In memory of Kaden Hopkins who in 2007 succumbed to cancer at age 5, a new and vital program entitled Kaden’s Kids was developed by the Grants Pass Kiwanis Club.  Our Club’s mission is to continue raising money and awareness for children battling cancer in Josephine County, and help families cope with expenses incurred in the immediate and stressful aftermath of a child’s cancer diagnosis.    

The first annual Kaden’s Kids Dine-to-Donate restaurant fundraising event was held in Grants Pass during the entire month of October 2022.  A total of 18 restaurants participated that first year!  Each participating restaurant featured a specialty item from their menu with $1.00 from each specialty item sold donated to the Kaden’s Kids project.  Netting $6,221, it was a successful first annual fundraising event! 

Since 2022, our Dine-to-Donate restaurant fundraising annual events have raised a total of $11,565.

THANK YOU to each of the following restaurants who participated in this year’s fundraising event:

 Casa Blanca, Climate City, Elmer’s, Food Studio, Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, Laughing Clam, Oregon Pizza Pour Authority (OPPA), Rogue Roasters, Steam Distillery, The Twisted Cork, The Vine, Weekend Beer Company, Wild River Grants Pass Pub, Wild River Brewing & Pizza Company, Zoom City Bar & Grill i

On September 24, 2023, the first Rex on the Rogue fundraising event was held at the Grants Pass Downs Racetrack in Grants Pass! 40 contestants participated in this fun-filled afternoon at the races.

The 2nd annual Rex on the Rogue held on September 29, 2024 had more participants and raised more funds that last year. It was another huge success. A combined total of $12,628 for both years has been raised for our Kaden’s Kids program with proceeds benefiting children battling cancer in Josephine County. THANK YOU to the business community and to each individual who participated in this race, as well as to the volunteers who contributed their time and energy in making this event such a successful fundraiser that helps our children in our community during their time of greatest need.