Neighborhood carnival raises money for neighbor
September 1, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Matt Sundsten, 13, left, and Colby Stirrat, 12, right, explain the Coke vs. Pepsi Challenge to Reid Pierzchalski, 10, during the Montrachet neighborhood benefit carnival Aug. 25. Photo by Christopher Huber
Montrachet neighborhood carnival organizer Keren Pruitt knew from the start the annual charity benefit event would bring in record donations.
She could tell by the long lines of neighborhood children and parents waiting to purchase tickets and bracelets. She also knew people connected more closely with the cause because this year’s beneficiary, Rachel Carson Elementary second grader Maddy Callahan, lives nearby in the Chambord neighborhood. Maddy has been fighting leukemia since last November, organizers said.
Many participants and their families know the Callahans, she said.
“It’s just really close to people’s heart,” Pruitt said as she took a break from buzzing around the cul-de-sac during the carnival.
In just two hours on Aug. 25, the event raised approximately $1,500 for the cause. The money will help the Callahan family pay medical bills and benefit the Child Life program at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Pruitt said.
The event had a block-party look, with parents and children loitering in driveways and meandering about the street, but the cotton candy and rolls of tickets gave it away as a real carnival.
For $10, local children got access to make the rounds to driveway stations where they could buy (with tickets) cotton candy, popcorn and smoothies and play games like the tennis ball toss, putt putt golf, a dunk tank and basketball. An extra $2 garnered the participants a bracelet, as well.
“It really has just grown and grown over the years,” said volunteer Lora Baier as she whipped up some cotton candy. She said the outpouring of support “was exceedingly, abundantly above” expectations.
Pruitt started the neighborhood carnival in 2006 to benefit local charitable organizations. The idea was to get her children and family involved in a good cause.
“I wanted to show my kids what it’s like to give back to the community,” Pruitt said. “It’s really become a community event. It’s been a great, positive event.”
Prizes, which families donated, included hand-made pet rocks and bouncy balls, among other things. Dylan Pruitt and friends manned the “Groovy Smoothy” stand and dolled out the fruity drinks all afternoon. The children also put on a talent show near the end of the carnival Aug. 25. Pruitt said the 2009 event saw much more involvement, including more refreshment stands and the addition of the dunk tank.
“It’s fun and makes a lot of money for a good cause,” he said as operated the blenders. “Now there’s a lot more people involved.”
The 2006 carnival raised $113 and had a handful of booths and food stands, Keren Pruitt said. The next year they raised $630 for Ronald McDonald House and in 2008 the event brought in about $400 for Child Haven.
Get Involved
To donate to the Maddy Callahan fund, visit a branch of the Bank of America.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
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