Block Party planned for Riley Children's Foundation

A Block Party, including fun, food and games, will be held to support the Riley Children's Foundation August 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of 1700 Lincoln Way.

"We have all kinds of games for kids," said Linda Rinkel, owner of House of Stitches. "Things for adults to do like food and fun. There will be music, magic and a clown."

Rinkel has worked hard to make this the second annual Block Party. There will be a raffle drawing and ticketed gift baskets filled with gift certificates that have been donated by local restaurants, a video store and the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

Included in the Block Party is the Midwest Stash Exchange. At the Stash Exchange, people are invited to shop, swap and sell needlework related stash. The funds are raised through table rental.

"They can buy, sell and trade so it's like a big garage sale for stitchers," said Rinkel.

All of the funds raised from the Block Party go to the Riley Foundation, providing all kinds of activities, crafts, games and toys for kids while they are at Riley.

"If they had to have an icky procedure, there was something fun waiting for them at the end," said Rinkel.

Rinkel believes in supporting Riley because she said she has seen the love and care they provide for kids. Her 6-year-old granddaughter, Grace, has visited Riley on several occasions due to complications with a kidney stone.

"It was a problem with the kidney, and the little tube that connects it to the bladder," said her mother, Sarah Rinkel. "We thought she had a kidney stone, but they found a bigger problem once they took a closer look."

Grace had one major procedure, and she has been back several times since then for visits.

"We did 14 visits down the road to Riley in one summer," said her father, Jon Rinkel.

As far as her parents know, Grace is making a good recovery, and they hope to have their last visit to Riley in December. Grace's parents express their gratitude towards Riley, and the compassion they have for children and their families.

"I can't say enough good things about Riley Hospital," said Jon. "You can tell that everybody there loves kids and wants to work with kids. It's just a phenomenal place."

Last year the Block Party raised $1,620, and they hope to raise even more this year.