The Village Early Learning Center, 3741 Canoga Park Rd., Brandon, held its 11th annual Costume Crusade on Friday, Oct. 28.

The event, intended to raise awareness for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, was well attended by parents who came out to see their kids parade around the parking lot in costume and enjoy several games put on by the Village staff.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the biggest genetic killer of children under the age of 2. Money was raised through the sale of raffle tickets. More events will follow next week. All of the proceeds go to benefit the Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) charity.

Janice Tucker's 13-year old son, Thomas, suffers from SMA and has been part of the event for the last 10 years. For Thomas, looking at Joe Miller, a fellow SMA sufferer and co-owner of The Village Early Learning Center, is inspirational.

"Joe and Susan (Miller) have been a great support to us," Janice Tucker said, "and it gives Thomas someone to look up to and hope that he can maintain a normal life some day."

Each year, Joe Miller has competed with kids with SMA in a wheelchair race. He fell just short of winning his first race this year.