Fall Safety Festival to Support the Maslins

The flyer might say Ward 6, but the Fall Safety Festival taking place this Sunday, October 21, welcomes everyone to enjoy a day of family-friendly activities that promote the community’s quality of life through safety and support a wonderful cause…

You likely heard about it in the news, or if you follow KFDC on Facebook you might recall that I posted about a horrific incident that occurred in my neighborhood a couple of months ago.  TC Maslin, a Capitol Hill resident, husband, and dad to a 2-year-old, was brutally assaulted while walking home late one evening.  He was found on a porch the next morning just a few blocks from his house, unconscious after suffering a serious brain injury in the attack.

The incident not only left TC with a very long road to recovery ahead of him, it has also utterly devastated his young family. His wife, Abby, has been blogging about their experience since the assault. Her posts, written with an eloquence and openness that have me reaching for tissues at every read, convey her challenges, dedication, and amazing strength through this tragedy. For all the people that were shaken by the incident in our community, there are many, many more who are moved by her words and the Maslins’ uphill battle.

It hits close to home, but not just literally. Going to a Nats game, having a drink with friends at a local pub afterwards, walking the short distance home on a well lit street isn’t an unusual or unsafe thing to do.  We can’t help but think about the “what ifs.” What if that was us? What if our family suffered that kind of senseless, life-altering event? We all have ideas, dreams, expectations for our future. The Maslins’ have been forever changed.

I think about all of this when I drop my change into the jars at local shops collecting contributions for the Maslins to help with their challenges ahead. When Sasha and I go to a Boogie Babes benefit for their family. When I share a link to an online fundraiser for them.  And it will be on my mind when I attend the Festival this weekend.

The Fall Safety Festival will take place at Brent Elementary School, located at 3rd & D Streets SE, this Sunday, October 21, 11am – 4pm.  There will be all kinds of family activities, including a kids’ olympics, moonbounces, the big DCFD slide, firetrucks, and Boogie Babes performances, PLUS a wine and beer garden at the Legion, food provided by Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, car seat inspections, police tips, live bands, a book and bake sale, and Washington Nationals signed memorabilia. On top of all that, there will be an incredible raffle with chances to win an iPad, a wine tasting, theatre tickets, huge gift certificates, and much more.

Cost is $5/person ($25 max/family) for most kids’ activities and the book sale — it’s an additional $5 for the kids’ olympics in the park across the street. Concessions and raffles also cost extra. ALL tax-deductible proceeds go directly to the newly-created Maslin Family Trust.

And 2-year-old Jack and Abby Maslin will be there to enjoy it all, too.