Anyone who’s planned a party or event will tell you that it is plenty of work! For the past three years, the Jennings family of San Pedro, CA has held not one but two fundraisers over one weekend to raise money for First Candle in honor of their son Kalaea Christopher Jennings.

Kalaea Christopher Jennings was born on April 23, 2007 and left our world on September 8, 2007. Kalaea was the Jennings’ angel on earth. His life was short, but the joy he left behind will endure for all time. He was easily entertained, hardly crying and always smiling. His nickname in the family was Fat-boy.

It is in Kalaea’s memory that the Jennings’s, their family and friends work tirelessly to hold the KCJ Memorial Softball Tournament and Pre-Party. This year, the party was held on April 15th at 7:00pm at the Gardena Elks Lodge.  The silent auction items included donations range from tickets to the play-offs for the Los Angeles Lakers to a brand new iPad. Everyone gathered together again on Sunday for the featured event of the weekend, a 16 team co-ed softball tournament. The day’s activities didn’t stop at the softball games, there was face painting and children’s activities available throughout the day.

When asked about her efforts, Maria Jennings, Kalaea’s mom said, “This is our calling, God allowed this to happen to our family so that we could help prevent it from happening to other families. We have been called to raise awareness of SIDS in our community, and we are doing it in the name of our son. This has made our family stronger than ever, we are more devoted to each other, and we are very driven to help find a cure for SIDS.”

Even though Kalaea is an angel, his life and his affect on his family will continue to help so many here on earth. The money that is raised goes to benefit SIDS Research and Advocacy at First Candle. To learn more about the Kalaea Christopher Jennings Memorial Softball Tournament and to view the family’s event video, go to www.firstcandle.org/kcjmemorialevent.