United Way FunFest draws big crowd at new venue

Ava McKinney, 9, joins in a Hula Hoop activity Thursday during the United Way of Central Missouri Kids United FunFest at the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City. United Way and several of their partner agencies provided the carnival so local families could enjoy a night out.
Ava McKinney, 9, joins in a Hula Hoop activity Thursday during the United Way of Central Missouri Kids United FunFest at the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City. United Way and several of their partner agencies provided the carnival so local families could enjoy a night out.

Bubble machines percolated, pop music blared and children giggled Thursday night during the annual United Way of Central Missouri Kids United FunFest.

Hundreds of families milled about inside the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City for two hours, during the annual event.

Its carnival-like atmosphere reflected this year's United Way fundraising-campaign theme - The Greatest Gift.

FunFest has been a Jefferson City tradition for a long time, United Way President Ann Bax said, and for a long time, it has been held at Memorial Park.

"Memorial Park is a great venue. This is for the children of the clients we serve," Bax said. "We want to make (FunFest) community-wide, but especially for families impacted by the tornado. Hopefully, they can come and have some fun."

Late in the evening of May 22, a tornado ripped through 3 miles of Jefferson City and passed within about a block of the club, at 1105 Lafayette St.

The club escaped damage, but the EF-3 tornado contained 160-mph winds, and it destroyed or heavily damaged hundreds of homes. Many were near the club. And many were homes where low-income families lived.

"I hope we'll get a lot of people from the neighborhood," Bax said.

The United Way raises money for 28 area nonprofits. Most were on hand to host games - and possibly provide a little respite from daily drama - for people in the neighborhood.

Staff from Little Explorers Discovery Center asked children to try their hand at baking "imaginary cupcakes."

The contestants were asked to create a batter out of dry macaroni, fill cups and place a candle in the center. It was a simple game, like all the games, but it allowed children to be creative and win prizes.

Adult Basic Literacy Education allowed children to try to make a 3-foot putt to win prizes. They were able to try until they made the putt.

Their prize, a book, of course, ABLE Director Felicia Poettgen said.

Staff from Scholastic, which employs about 1,600 people during peak times and distributes book fair materials and educational products, provided the books.

The company also provided volunteers and half the hot dogs people at the event ate. Hawthorn Bank provided the other half.

The Caring Chair by Homemaker Health Care loans medical equipment to patients in Cole County. Sarah Wood, director of operations, said although Thursday night was the first time the organization has participated in the event, she felt it was worthwhile.

"It's just a chance for us to give something back to the community," Wood said. "We're happy to be a part of it."

The event gave children chances to Hula Hoop, hopscotch, ring toss or even throw toy fish into glasses of water for prizes.

Children got their faces painted and were able to climb aboard a Jefferson City Police Department armored truck and a Jefferson City Fire Department fire truck.

Leandre King brought his three daughters to the event, ages 8, 7 and 2.

He had his hands full.

The younger daughter clung to him as the others impatiently waited their turn for two events. They wanted to get their nails painted and they wanted to go into the bounce house, he said.

"We'll be going station-to-station," he added.