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Thursday, September 10, 1998
by Lily Chen
Park Cities News Assoc. Editor
It's important for former Park Cities resident
Greg Coon to do his part to give back to the community and
those in need. So in late November 1997, Mr. Coon and his
wife Julie flew to Orlando on an American Airlines jet to
document the trip where dreams do come true. Mr. Coon and
his wife wanted to capture the experiences of Kidd's Kids
-- a charity that enables chronically ill children and their
families to enjoy one magical vacation.
Every year, Kidd Kraddick of Dallas' KISS-FM
radio station (KHKS 106.1) which broadcasts out of the Park
Cities from the corner of Douglas and Northwest Highway ,
asks listeners to donate money to the Kidd's Kids charity
so chronically ill children and their families can travel
to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida to experience
the trip of a lifetime. These families would not be able to
afford such a vacation without the aid of this charity.
| Mr. Coon's 25-minute video was edited
from seven hours of film and shows the children in various
activities on the trip. The product is not only inspiring
but also allows people who donated money to see the direct
outcome of their generosity. The video captures the entire
journey, from the plane flight to Orlando, Fla. (which
was the first plane ride for may of these children) to
trips to the Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios.
"I wanted to help the kids,"
said Mr. Coon, who owns Eyecon Video Productions. "It's
a pretty successful charity but no one gets to see where
their money goes to. This video shows where the money
goes to." |
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| Greg Coon, owner of
Eyecon Video Productions, shoots Kidd Kraddick of
106.1 KISS-FM at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
Mr. Coon donated his time and equipment to others
may see firsthand how important this charity is
for children and their families. |
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Mr. Coon, a 1985 graduate of Highland Park High
School, and his wife Julie, a graduate of Southern Methodist
University, took the trip last year to record its success.
The result is an award-winning video (the Videographer Award
and the Aegis Award) which can be rented free of charge from
any Blockbuster Video store in the DFW Metroplex. Copies of
the nationally recognized video may also be purchased with
all proceeds donated to Kidd's Kids.
"We show the kids in the park, going on
the rides...basically the sights and sounds and also interviews
with the parents. It's very touching to see the kids having
fun," said Mr. Coon. The video also allows viewers to
share the joy that these kids experience, and to see, firsthand,
what this trip means to the kids. The video may be viewed
on the World Wide Web at the Eyecon Video's Web Site.
This year will be the Coon's fourth year of
participation with the Kidd's Kids program. Traditionally
between 30-35 children and their families participate in the
event. This year's trip will take place Nov. 6 to Nov. 9.
Donations may be made to Kidd's Kids at 8235 Douglas Ave.
#300 Dallas, Texas 75225. Further information may also be
obtained at
www.kiddlive.com
Pictures
from Kidd's Kids
Awards
from Kidd's Kids
Clip
from video
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