Children’s Carnival for Charity at Harvey is a Success

 

They seemed to come in waves as families with young children swarmed the campus of The Harvey School Saturday to enjoy an afternoon of fun and frolic at this year’s Children’s Carnival for Charity.

They were drawn by the prospects of spending quality time together as a family and the lure of bouncy stations, carnival games and a chance to  munch on hot dogs, baked goods, tasty snacks, and, of course, cotton candy. Some came from far and wide, like Sandy Hook, Connecticut residents Owen and Jack Meade who kept asking when Mr. Met would be arriving, in between their multiple trips down the obstacle course slide. One family came from the Bronx after conducting a Google search, looking to take a ride north to enjoy a family outing on a chilly but gloriously sunny Saturday. The dad said he was “very glad” his wife and daughter made the trip to Katonah and found the carnival at Harvey. One family from a neighboring town said they were out looking for something to do and turned into the Harvey campus when they saw the carnival sign posted at the front entrance.

Then there were those who didn’t travel far at all from their neighborhoods to enjoy the carnival. Young Adam Hajem of Katonah made the rounds to all the inflatables and carnival games with his mom and younger brother. Adam showed a steady hand as he tried to hook a bobbing fish and win a prize. It was dad’s day out with the kids as Clifford Lanier of Bedford treated his children Alex Belle, Cliff and Hudson along with their friend Chip Stoker of Pound Ridge, to an afternoon of fun.

The ring toss game tested the skills and patience of each player who tried it. One young lady was seen proudly parading around the gym with a giant stuffed teddy bear she won for getting a ring around the neck of a soda bottle, prompting one young, empty-handed contestant to utter in frustration, “That ring toss game is impossible! How did she do that?”

The WHUD 100.7 FM Fan Van crew entertained the crowd with music and met moms and dads who registered for a chance to win dinner theater tickets. Mr. Met, visiting from his team’s spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, strolled around the campus, high-fiving everyone and graciously posing for picture after picture with kids and adults alike. Magician Jonathan Blair donated his time, walking from station to station engaging carnival goers with all sorts of tricks. There were several “oohs” and ahhs” but lots of giggles too as he incorporated plenty of funny antics and jokes with his magic.

Also on hand and a popular attraction were the dogs of the Greyhounds Rescue project. The workshops were also busy with kids enjoying activities such as Japanese arts and crafts, cupcake decorating, craftmaking, the photo booth where patrons decorated picture frames for their favorite photos and the beauty salon, featuring nail art and hair styling.

The carnival was a success again this year and much of the credit should go to the students in the Community Service Club (CSC) and their advisors, Susan Harris and Mark Brandon. The idea of the carnival was the brainchild of the CSC a few years ago and it is becoming an annual tradition that families in the community look forward to each winter to get everyone out of the house for an afternoon of fun as a family.


Image 1 : Student volunteer David Solano (left) and Mr. Met cheer on Adam Hajem of Katonah as he tries to win a prize at the fishing tank as part of the fun at this year's Harvey School's Children's Carnival for Charity, Saturday, Feb. 28. The student community service club chose Doctors Without Borders and the All Stars Project as the two charities they wanted to raise money for at this year's winter carnival.

Image 2:  The Laniers of Bedford, Cliff (left) and his sister Hudson (center) show a keen interest in what their friend Chip Stoker of Pound Ridge is designing in Sand Art at the Children's Carnival for Charity at The Harvey School, Saturday, Feb. 28. Harvey's student community service club chose Doctors Without Borders and the All Stars Project as the two charities they wanted to raise money for at this year's winter carnival.

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Submitted by Katonah, NY

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