Carnival benefits children

Smiling children and the sounds of carefree laughter filled the Bloomington's Boys and Girls club at the Alpha Kappa Alpha's annual "Carnival for Charity" Saturday. \nUpbeat R&B music set the tone, while volunteers taught people how to salsa dance to Latin rhythms. The carnival was filled with children from the Bloomington community stuffing their faces with cotton candy and debating what to buy with their "Carnival cash." The event was a treat for all those in attendance including the parents. \nSojourner Manns, a Bloomington parent, said she had trouble pulling her children away from the games.\n"I had to force them to leave, and everything was pretty much free," she said.\nThe event included free games and food for the children, something that differed from past carnivals. Many of the AKA members said the free carnival benefitted the children more. \n"Last year, the kids had to pay, and they didn't get to do everything they wanted. This year it's better because the kids can play as many games as they want and eat for free too," AKA member Vanessa Byron said. \nSenior Mandy Kellman, an AKA member, said she felt the children enjoyed themselves. \nThe games included a "pop-a-shot" basket ball game, a bean toss game, twister, a go to jail game and many other games. There was free candy, hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, face painting and prizes. \nAKA member Patrice Turner painted the children's faces. She said face painting was popular among sorority members and the older children.\nTwelve-year-old Ashley Manns, a Templeton student, knew exactly what she wanted, she said. \n"I am going to get a shooting star painted on my face," Manns said.\nSome of the prizes were goldfish, free coupons to fast food restaurants and $10 gift certificates to various stores. Many of the children took advantage and racked up on "Carnival cash."\nAshley Manns was one of the evening's "high rollers."\n"I played games and got $53 dollars in "carnival money," she said. "I also got a gift card for $10 at Wal-Mart." \nThe children could exchange the Carnival cash for prizes. Rishan Brown, a ten-year-old Broadview student bought a goldfish for $25 dollars in carnival money. \nEight-year-old Lorrell Manns, a Templeton student, said he spent most of his time working on his basketball skills. \n"I liked basketball the most, and I won carnival cash and bought candy," he said.\nThe sorority started planning for the event in August and worked to make the carnival fun for the youngsters. To help cover the cost they sold sponsors for $1 each and were co-sponsored by two other sororities, Alpha Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha. Alpha Chi Omega even pitched in and helped at the carnival.\nAKA also received help from Alpha Phi Alpha, who showed their support by playing games at the carnival. The Alpha Kappa Alpha members said they were proud about how successful they were at raising money. \nKellman said the sorority received $500 in sponsorships. The money will be used to buy Christmas gifts for children at Middleway House, a shelter for women and children. \n"I saw some toys yesterday, and I can't wait to go out and buy them," AKA member Candace Ewing, a junior, said. \nThe sorority changed the venue from IU's campus to the Boy's and Girl's Club to attract more children, and even advertised at area schools such as Harmony, Templeton, Broadview and Fairview. The advertisement worked because this year they had more kids than ever before. \n"This is the biggest turnout of kids we've had," Ewing said.\nByron said the change in venue helped this year's increased attendance. \n"When it was on campus we had more adults playing the games than kids," Byron said. "This year we had more than 50 kids come." \nThey also advertised at places like Middleway House and The Rise and Banneker Center, dedicated to helping underprivileged children. \nThe sorority wanted to gear it toward underprivileged children as well, Byron said.\nSenior Brandon Williams said the sorority's service was a positive thing, and the carnival was a good idea. \n"I think it's nice," he said. "They have done an outstanding job showing service and giving back to their community." \nAt the end of the day, many of the children did not want to leave and said they had a lot of fun. \n"I am going to be here forever," Lorrell Manns said.\nHis sister Ashley asked if they were going to do it again next year. \nKellman, summed up the success of the event: "Free food, free games, what more could you ask for"