The first fall carnival staged by Lander University's Academic Success Center was fun for the students, faculty and staff in attendance, and it accomplished its goal of supporting deserving local charities.
"We thought the carnival was a great success," said ASC director Gay Coleman. "Our goals were met and everyone seemed to enjoy the games and fun."
The event was the community service project for five sections of Lander students enrolled in LU 103, a freshman orientation-transition class for fast track students who began their college careers this summer. It featured free popcorn, popsicles and Kool-aid, and activities such as putt-putt, balloon darts, corn hole, face-painting, a basketball free-throw game, a photo booth and a cakewalk.
Prizes included stuffed animals from Big Lots, Dixie T-shirts, Dairy Queen sundaes, buffalo chicken sandwiches from Chick Fil A, coffee from Starbucks, free passes to EXPO Bowling, free car washes at Frank's and Emerald car washes, and tickets to REI and the Auto Drive-in Theater.
Admission price was one non-perishable food item, unopened school supplies or a $1 donation, with the proceeds going to Bowers-Rodgers Home, Faith Home, Food Bank of Greenwood County, Hospice House and Store, and The Humane Society -- charities that were selected, according to Coleman, because "they have served our community so well throughout many years."
Coleman said that she and everybody else who worked to make this year's carnival a reality learned a great deal about putting on such an event, and future carnivals should be both bigger and better.
Interest has been expressed, she said, in having another carnival in the spring.
"We will definitely have it next fall," she said.