Carnival raises spirits - and funds
BREEZY POINT - When Pequot Lakes Schools PTA members learned last month that one of their co-treasurers was arrested and charged with allegedly stealing more than $10,000 from the PTA fund, they worried about not having enough money to support the many school programs and activities they fund, including spring field trips.
Back
Many also worried that one person's actions would cause irreparable damage to the nonprofit organization's reputation.
Landen Reier, 4, dropped a Plinko game piece down a large wooden game board Friday at the spring carnival at Eagle View Elementary School in Breezy Point. Brainerd Dispatch/ Jodie Tweed
But that didn't happen.
Donations to attempt to replenish the PTA fund immediately began to come in from individuals and businesses in the community. More parents also signed up to join the PTA.
And Friday night a record crowd turned out at the PTA's spring carnival, which also serves as an annual fundraiser, at Eagle View Elementary School. Organizers said at least 1,025 parents and children attended the carnival, filling the gym and cafeteria. More than 60 people volunteered to run the carnival games and many teachers and school staff also volunteered.
Eagle View Principal Don Lenzen, dressed as Uncle Sam, made an announcement Friday at the Eagle View Elementary School Spring Carnival in Breezy Point. More than 1,000 people attended the fundraising carnival hosted by the Pequot Lakes Schools PTA. Brainerd Dispatch/ Jodie Tweed
New this year, several elementary teachers offered their own time and talents for the raffle drawings. Students could use their raffle tickets to try to win lunch, play a game or share an activity with their favorite teacher or read the newest books that arrive at the library, among other drawings.
About 500 gift baskets were up for grabs for parents and students, as well as 70 silent auction items, a new feature of the carnival thanks to the community support that emerged following the PTA theft.
"I've never seen this many people. I'm absolutely delighted," said Eagle View Principal Don Lenzen, who was dressed as Uncle Sam at the carnival. "This school community is just super that way. It's absolutely wonderful. Hats off to the PTA."
Lenzen said the school hasn't canceled any of its spring field trips but had put everything on hold due to the loss of PTA funds. He said it's still unknown whether the PTA can continue to donate $10,000 each year, as it has done for the last two years, for the school's literacy library, a learn-to-read program. He said the annual second-grade Grandparents Day program planned April 2 will continue as planned, although the program may have to be scaled back, depending on how much the PTA is able to donate this year.
But PTA organizers were thrilled at Friday's turnout. PTA President Jill Andersen said everyone wanted to help with the carnival. Members of the middle school National Honor Society volunteered to run some games and students made the gift baskets that were raffled off. Special education students in middle and high school also helped assemble gift bags for each child and helped with other carnival projects.
Buttons, sold in advance at area businesses for $5, served as an entry fee. PTA members sold out of the 1,000 buttons by 5:30 p.m. Friday but continued to stamp the hands of those who paid at the door.
"People just want to make it right," said Janet Hennies, a PTA member and carnival committee chair. "We didn't have to scale back the carnival and we were phenomenally frugal, but I think we accomplished everything we set out to do. Our expenses for this carnival are so minimal. I wouldn't have thought we could have accomplished this on the budget that we had."
Hennies said committee members decided to make gift bags this year, rather than giving out prizes, to keep costs down.
"Our ultimate hope is that we can get field trips back and things that were promised at the end of the school year," Hennies said. "In my mind, I'm working to get field trips back."
Andersen said she and other PTA board members were going to meet Sunday to figure out how much money they raised and determine how much the PTA will be able to fund through the end of the school year.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.