An idea thought up by two Phoenix Country Day School students will provide parents a night out on the town this week without worrying about finding a baby sitter – and it is all for a good cause.

After discovering last year what Ryan House provides to families whose children are suffering through debilitating and terminal diseases, juniors Jessica Gordon and Janey Zitomer dreamt up an idea and initiated a fundraiser at their private school for a very public cause.

While a baby sitter typically gets paid on a per-hour basis to look after children whose parents have plans for the evening, the two students thought proceeds earned by a baby sitter should go to a worthier cause, rather than standard teenage entertainment like the movies or shopping at the mall.

Instead, Ms. Gordon and Ms. Zitomer, along with their peers, will offer a baby sitting service 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 18 at Phoenix Country Day's Burch Hall, 3901 E. Stanford Drive, strictly for the lower school children, or elementary school students, with all proceeds benefiting Ryan House, said parent Susan Zitomer.

A fun-filled night with pizza, popcorn, movies, and arts and crafts is planned, much like last year's inaugural event, where close to $4,000 was raised.  Parents who wish to have their child looked after for the evening are asked to pay a minimum $50 donation fee per child and $20 for any additional child.

Last year, more than 100 lower school students reveled in fun and games at Phoenix Country Day, while their parents enjoyed an evening alone.  The evening was also a big succes, as $3,800 was raised to benefit Ryan House, demonstrating students, staff and families' commitment to major causes, Ms. Zitomer said.

"The students just feel like it's a win, win, win situation," she said, noting the donation is reasonable as parents are not paying a lot more than if they took a night out and paid for a baby sitter.  "It's a nice volunteer opportunity for the older students, the lower kids have a ball, the parents spend the night out and all the money goes to a great cause."

All services at Ryan House are guided by the principles of palliative care, a philosophy of comfort care that addresses not only physical pain, but also the emotional, spiritual and social needs of both child and family, according to the Ryan House web site.  The approach to care is of critical importance, beginning at diagnosis and continuing throughout the entire course of a child's life and beyond.

Ryan House's mission is to provide essential care in a home-like setting, where families of children with life-limiting conditions will come for respite and, as needed, end-of-life care.

Editor's note: Zach Colick is News Editor of the Town of Paradise Valley Independent. He can be reached at 623.445.2884 or zcolick@newszap.com.

The article From the Editor as it appeared in the April 16  edition of the Town of Paradise Valley Independent is attached below.