The City of Valdosta, alongside the Valdosta Police Department, Valdosta Fire Department, Arbor Division and several other businesses/organizations such as Lowndes County Fire, Smallcakes, McDonalds, Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation, Woodstack BBQ, Steel’s Jewelry, Moody Air Force Base, and many more are coming together to raise funds for Maddie Day. The event will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2018, from 11 am to 1 pm.

Maddie Day is an event that will honor 13-year-old Madeline (‘Maddie’), Pitts. Pitts was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and leukemia. Pitts, who is a Valdosta native, loves to be outdoors, swim, hang out with friends, play the piano, and is part of a dance studio where she can show her passion for dancing.

When she was told she would only have a few weeks to live, Maddie made a wish list. The list consists of carving her name in a tree, getting a license, swimming with manatees, and a few other things. The event will help make those wish list items a reality.

Pitts attracted the attention of many different organizations and groups, and after hearing her story, they have all pitched in to make Maddie Day possible.

Pitts will enter Freedom Park on Saturday by a horse and carriage. Following that, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Tooley will read a proclamation to declare June 9 as Maddie Pitts Day.

The City of Valdosta Arbor Division has named a tree in the park in honor of Pitts. She will carve both her name and her sister’s name in the tree on Saturday. Pitt’s sister Elizabeth passed away from the same type of cancer 8 years ago.

The Valdosta Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office will make Maddie an honorary officer and she will get her very own police uniform.

Maddie has also been working with Smallcakes, a local cupcakery to design her own cupcakes that will be on sale at the event. There will also be raffles for items such as a gift certificate to Steel’s Jewelry.

If you plan to attend, you are asked to bring bio-degradable balloons for the big water balloon fight. There will be two scheduled balloon fights, one for the youth and another for first responders and adults participating.

Proceeds from the event and several other fundraisers will go to the Pitts family to help with medical treatments.