It wasn’t a fluke, we’re back in action! We had a chance to attend a special early screening of the new live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie! Our friends at Universal Pictures (and their local community PR team), were able to set aside a whole bunch of reserved seats for us to use. Even better, it was being hosted in a new location, meaning we got to serve an entirely new community this time around!

Much like our Lilo & Stitch event, this was a sudden/unexpected opportunity. Thanks to all the amazing support we’ve had recently, however, we were able to pick it together quickly AND ensure that every kid we brought had concessions to enjoy alongside the film.

Speaking of, that’s something I wanted to highlight in this post about last night’s festivities. We had the chance to work with the amazing people at Jonathan’s Place. I can’t tell you how excited I was to be able to work with this group, as the things they do are exactly the kids we’re trying to help as well. They offer a number of programs/services in which they aid displaced kids with both foster care, emergency shelters, transitional housing, therapy resources, and even advocacy for survivors of various traumas.

These kids have/are going through a lot in their lives right now (hence why there are a number of pictures of just the back of heads). Thankfully, Jonathan’s Place is assisting in getting their immediate needs met, which allows us to give them an opportunity to just be a kid for a couple hours!

As is normally the case, we had a few first-timers in the crowd; kids who’d never had the chance to see a movie inside a theater before. Even more amazing to me, though, is what happened when we were getting concessions. We had some…issues…with the theater management last night and weren’t able to get gift cards for their concessions like usual. Instead, we used the self-service kiosks and had the kids line up and place their orders.

It was a bit chaotic, but we made it work. What struck me, however, was how timid the kids were in placing their orders. They struggled with the idea of being able to order what they wanted and having the freedom to choose. Many kept trying to downplay their choices. Some saying there “fine” with just a bag of candy and trying to wave off a drink to go with it.

After a bit of conversation, however, we were able to get them to place some REAL orders and get what they wanted. It’s hard to adequately describe the looks on their faces when it clicked for them, that they could, in fact, get the snacks they wanted. That small sparkle of joy, of surprise, that lit up their faces as they smiled.

These kids are already used to hardship. They’re accustomed to living with “less” and when good things are offered up, they’re automatic response is to not “take too much of it.” Or when they get something fun, they don’t normally get options! Folks, that sucks, but it’s exactly why we do what we do.

Over the years we’ve gotten plenty of flack from vocal online groups who can’t seem to understand the theater experience is, genuinely, a LUXURY for so many people. Our work has never been about just seeing movies. It’s about letting kids be kids and having the chance to make their own choices.

Even though I’ve seen it before over the years, witnessing that joy wash over their expressions never gets old. Watching a kid hugging a bucket of popcorn nearly as big as him, with giant smile on his face—because he’s never had theater popcorn before—is a sight everyone should remember. I wish I could have gotten some pictures to capture those moments, but alas, I was working the event solo and struggling to get all the orders placed (while checking them in for the show). Suffice it to say, it was a poignant reminder of the importance of our work, none of which would be possible without your help.

A quick thank you and story from our #HowToTrainYourDragon screening, where we had some first time movie-goers and plenty of kids who’ve never been able to pick their own concessions before! Your help is what makes all this happen!

🔗 https://t.co/cuNjt9MqhT https://t.co/95LCoVzJTS pic.twitter.com/BVA5pkdJ90

— ReelOutreach (@ReelOutreach) June 5, 2025

We’ve been fortunate with our latest fundraiser (even garnering the attention of James Gunn), which has allowed us to take advantage of these unexpected opportunities. That said, we’re still working towards our overall goal and have surpassed the halfway point! So keep the donations coming, and please take a moment to share/repost. Your efforts make all of this happen and I couldn’t be more thankful!

Now…onto the next event!