PTO carnival’s unlimited gaming to bring in funds for student needs

Unlimited gaming and the chance to win high-dollar prizes are draws for the community, while teachers and students will benefit from money raised, during the annual Panther Pride Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) carnival.

The event will be held Friday at Creston Elementary/Middle School, with doors open at 5 p.m.

“Overall, it is for the teachers to have access to the funds for those items they can’t purchase, and then the students have such a great time,” said Heather Scarberry, marketing representative for Panther Pride PTO. “It’s a lot of laughter, a lot of smiles and even the parents are having a great time. It’s a very family-oriented event.”

Each year, money raised from the carnival – the PTO’s largest fundraiser – is divided among the grade levels for teachers to use for educational tools, technology improvements or other things they normally wouldn’t have funding for. The PTO also holds a portion back for special events like the mother-son and daddy-daughter dances.

Last year, about $22,000 was raised. To date, teachers have used the money toward grade-level events such as the annual fifth-grade colonial days, as well as to purchase books, color printers, iPads, Apple TVs and other educational items.

“Every grade level is allotted a certain amount, so every grade level team uses it differently,” said Brandy Wheatley, Panther Pride PTO representative.

Food will be served at 5 p.m., provided by Subway and American Family. The youth meal includes a 4-inch sub sandwich with orange or apple slices, drink and treat for $3. The adult meal will be two 4-inch subs with orange or apple slices, drink and treat for $5.

Games begin at 5:30 p.m. and will run until about 7:30. Some of the games and activities include a cake walk, mini golf, bounce houses, face painting, Skee-Ball and football throw. Games will be located in the classrooms and gymnasium.

“This year, the FFA, instead of doing the tractor pull, they are doing a human Foosball game, which could be fun, entertaining and interesting to participate in,” Scarberry said.

Those interested in unlimited gaming may purchase a wristband for $15. Individual game tickets will be $5 for a bag of 20.

Also at 5:30, the silent auction will begin. Final bids will end at 7:30 p.m.

“There’s a lot of new themed baskets this year that the classrooms put together and other people donate,” Scarberry said. “Some of those are Iowa/ISU, a Panthers basket, a date night basket, ‘A Hunting We Will Go’ and ‘Let’s Get Crockin’ – anything to do with cooking in a Crock-Pot, and we also have a one-of-a-kind, homemade quilt made by Pam Dunham. Then, we will wrap up the evening with a live auction of cakes made by members of the community.”

There will also be a raffle for $1 per ticket. The cash prizes are $500 and two $250 prizes.

The carnival takes about 100 parents and teachers to make sure the setup, games and food run smoothly, Scarberry said.

“Finding the volunteers for the carnival is one of the biggest things to make it possible,” Wheatley said.