The Ames community will have an opportunity to help unfortunate kids during the 5th Annual Blue Sky Day. Proceeds from the event go to the Beloit Children’s Home, 1323 Northwestern Ave. Ed Ruppert, licensed social worker and chair of the Blue Sky Day committee, said volunteers can participate in a scenic one-mile walk, two-mile run or an 8.7-mile bike ride. A lunch and T-shirt displaying art created by children at the Beloit Children’s Home will be provided for participants with a $15 entry fee. Ruppert said the most important purpose of Blue Sky Day is to foster hope in the home’s children. “When the community turns out, it’s a really powerful statement to the kids that live here that they’re worthwhile,” Ruppert said. “There’s been a couple of occasions where the sky isn’t blue, but what we say is the people here bring a blue sky.” The event raises funds for emergency transportation, city recreation opportunities, playground equipment and eyeglasses for the children, while also raising awareness of child abuse and neglect, Ruppert said. “The neat thing is that [the money raised] stays here,” he said. Ruppert said over 400 people participated in the Blue Sky Day last year and that the home is expecting around 500 participants this year. Ruppert said the day’s events will begin at 9 a.m. and the walking and biking events begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., followed by carnival games, live music, a petting zoo, a motorcycle show and various other activities from noon to 3 p.m. In case of rain, Ruppert said the run, walk and bike ride will be scheduled as planned, but the afternoon activities will be moved inside. The planning of the event has been a community effort, he said, including support from the ISU Freshman Council and the ISU Human Development and Family Studies Club. Jennifer Esdohr, co-president of the HDFS Club, said the club will be registering runners, riders and walkers at the event. “We’ve helped in previous years, so we contact them every year to see if they need help,” said Esdohr, junior in child and family services. “It’s a good way for our club to get involved with the community.” Ruppert said ISU athletes also have helped publicize the event. ISU basketball player Jamaal Tinsley, junior in sociology, came to the children’s home Monday to demonstrate his basketball skills for the children, Ruppert said. Tinsley will be recognized as the grand marshal for the event. Ruppert said the children’s home, which is part of the Lutheran Social Services of Iowa, houses about 32 children every year. The children, ages 6 to 12, are placed in the home by recommendations from the Department of Human Services. Ruppert said many of the children admitted have already been placed in six or seven homes unsuccessfully and are in need of more restricted care.