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Events

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Family Events

Family Hope Foundation offers a range of community experiences that build in the necessary accommodations for low-cost, low-stress family fun events. In addition to our Sensory Showtimes with Celebration Cinema, we offer up to four unique events each year.

Just a few of the events Family Hope Foundation has offered include: a family day with the West Michigan Whitecaps, an evening with the Grand Rapids Drive, an afternoon at the Outdoor Discovery Center, and family night at the Mary Free Bed YMCA.

Current Events

Celebration Cinema Sensory Showings

Where “Shhhhh!” isn’t allowed!

Family Hope Foundation and Celebration Cinema present a unique movie experience for individuals with special needs and their families. Enjoy a friendly environment where everyone is welcome. Brighter lights, lower sound, limited previews, open captions, and a group of guests and staff who understand your family’s needs will make this outing enjoyable for everyone.

All movies in 2D and Open Caption. Seating questions can be directed to the box office.

Regular matinee pricing applies. Friends of Family Hope Foundation, click the button below to print a barcode for $2 off the ticket price!

Barcode for $2 discount

Sensory Showtimes movie lineup:

Movies begin at 11:00 am (except where noted below)

November 16 – Best Christmas Pageant Ever
November 23 – Red One (PG-13)
November 30 – Wicked
December 7 – Moana 2
December 28 – Sonic 3
January 4 – Mufasa: The Lion King
February 8 – DogMan
March 1 – Captain America: Brave New World
March 22 – Paddington in Peru

(These dates are subject to change. We will update this page with any new information as we receive it.)

Sensory Showtime movie lineup

Theaters now participating:

Celebration! Cinema North in Grand Rapids
Celebration! Cinema Crossroads in Portage
Celebration! Cinema Lansing

*Please note: Celebration Cinema South is temporarily NOT participating in Sensory Showtimes.

Past Events

Family Fun at the Critter Barn

Sponsored by Koele Godfrey Investment Group
Was held Saturday, August 5th 2023, 11am – 1pm

Join the Family Hope Foundation at the new location of the Critter Barn in Zeeland, Michigan, Saturday, August 5th, from 11am-1pm. The Critter Barn is home to over 200 animals, including rabbits, chicken, goats, donkeys, calves, sheep, and hogs. Activities may include holding, petting, and/or feeding the animals. Be sure to take some pictures!

Note—when you enter the farm and decide you want to have a longer day of interactive, hands-on fun with farm animals, you may stay as long as you like!

Critter Barn is dedicated to teaching about farming and agriculture while inspiring people of all ages, and all abilities, through the miracles in nature found at the farm. The Critter Barn is located at 2950 80th Avenue, Zeeland

Thanks to the very generous sponsorship of Koele Godfrey Investment Group, admission is FREE to our families for the first 100 tickets (limit 4 per family/household).

Camp Day at Camp Manitou-Lin

“We had a blast with everything at the camp: the animals, rock climbing, hayride, and archery. It was a great family event. Thank you for all you do and God bless.” – The Reeves Family

Glow in the Park 5K

The ultimate party fun run! Trivium Racing donated a generous 25% of the event’s proceeds to Family Hope Foundation’s mission. Family Hope Foundation hosted a family picnic before the run for a chance to meet and connect with other families.

Family Night at the Grand Rapids Drive

We had a great night at Grand Rapids Drive semi-professional basketball team’s game! Families enjoyed reserved seating and the FHF exclusive Party Deck with activities hosted by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, appearances by the mascot and dancers, as well as fellowship with other FHF families.

Family Day at the Whitecaps

In the spring of 2016 and 2017, we were able to host an amazing FREE day for our families at the Whitecaps due to the generosity of the Impact Drives at JQ99 and The Pledge radio stations. We had an outfield deck just for individuals with special needs and their families to enjoy space, community, and the game together.

Visser YMCA Family Night

Family Hope Foundation hosted a Family Night at the Visser YMCA. Families enjoyed a pizza dinner, rock climbing wall, swimming, basketball, and soccer. There was also an opportunity to use the cardio equipment with the assistance of the Visser YMCA Special Needs Fitness Staff.

Sensory Showing Special Event: The Polar Express and More!

Join Family Hope Foundation for a special holiday event!

Family Hope Foundation is planning to show a PRIVATE sensory showing of The Polar Express. Watch the classic Christmas movie with your family while enjoying complementary popcorn and soft drinks. This event will also include fun special giveaways for your Christmas crew!

There may even be a special jolly guest that joins the fun!

Event details:

When: Sunday, December 10th. Doors open at 10am.
Where: Celebration Cinema North, Grand Rapids, MI— 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Event is a private, sensory screening of the movie
Includes movie, popcorn, soft drinks, and giveaways

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! Click the link below to secure your tickets and learn more about our event.

https://2023FHFPolarExpress.eventbrite.com

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

Family Hope Foundation will be hosting a family fun event at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park on September 15!

Join us and see the many things Boulder Ridge has to offer. Come feed giraffes, watch penguins splash around, and enjoy other animal sightings like rhinos, hippos, birds, and more! Boulder Ridge has flat, accessible walkways for everyone to experience the park. It’s not too big or too small—you can easily visit each area without feeling rushed or leaving any left out!

Family Hope Foundation will have a private pavilion for our families to eat lunch, relax, and connect with other families from 12pm-2pm. However, the park doesn’t close until 6pm—families may stay at the park for as long as they want!

This event is sponsored by Meyering Insurance, partnering with Michigan Insurance. We are very grateful for the relationships we form that allow us to hold events like these. We’ll have a big thank you card at the event that families can sign to show their gratitude!

My son loved family night. There was so much to do that it was almost hard to take it all in. But to be surrounded by other parents and families who understand the daily struggles and challenges was priceless. And to meet so many wonderful people in one place was great. We can’t wait for the next event.

Thanks for doing this for our kids and their families. It’s nice to be able to come together and celebrate as a community.

We attended the family day at Camp Manitou-Lin. My son, Finn, has special needs, and finding activities and places to go that are comfortable and accepting of him can be a challenge. Family Hope Foundation has been a blessing. Finn’s big brother came to the camp day and really enjoyed himself too!

The Walters Family

My daughter with Down Syndrome, age 25, had a ball. There were so many things for her to do, which isn’t always easy to find at her age. She saw many of her friends from school and camp. On the way home, she said, “I’m lots of happy.”

We love all the events you sponsor! It gives our little ones experiences that otherwise wouldn’t be possible! Thank you.

The Willey Family

We enjoy all the events we attend. Family Night was so much fun. It is a breath of fresh air to go somewhere and not worry. Thank you!

The Oldfield Family