Family Fun Festival raises more
than $2,000 for school program
Children treated to magic moment
Monday, March 7th, 2005
By W. Brice McVicar
There was magic in the air at Tyendinaga Public School, Friday night.
Over 200 people gathered in the school's small gymnasium for the Family
Fun Festival, an event featuring magic, comedy and juggling.
The show not only entertained but it also ensured children at the school
will have healthy snacks available as it served as a fundraiser for the Food
for Learning program.
Three world-class performers took to the stage including Evans and Evans
Magic, Madame Buskerfly and Johnny Toronto, entertaining children and
parents alike. All are international performers who have traveled the globe
entertaining audiences.
Shelly Doyle, one of the show's organizers, said the turnout and funds
raised surpassed expectations.
A grand total of $2,133 was raised and will be used toward the snack baskets
located in approximately 15 classrooms at the school.
"Some schools have breakfast programs or lunch programs and we have a snack
basket program," Doyle said.
"We have snack baskets ... and each week they're filled with nutritious
snacks and water or juice.
"We fill them each week and they're available to any child who may have
forgotten their snack or didn't have enough or whatever."
The program is administered through the Hastings and Prince Edward District
School Board.
In the past two years, the school has raised funds for the program through
barbecues. This year it was decided a new formula was needed.
Doyle gave credit to parent and local business owner Bridget Sartoretto
who came up with the idea of the show.
"She was the one who came up with the idea and - really - spearheaded the
whole fundraising initiative," she said.
We were the very fortunate recipients of Bridget's efforts.
Intelligencer Photo by W. Brice McVicar
Johnny Toronto juggles rubber balls as he prepared for Friday night's Family
Fun Festival at Tyendinaga Public School. The event was a fundraiser for the
Food for Learning program at the school.