Article by Jen Stults
Each year kids, parents, and volunteers alike look forward to the annual Back to School Carnival sponsored by Smith Insurance. This year the Circus-themed carnival was held in the Sutton Center of BJSHS from 10 AM to noon. The line wove well into parking lot as volunteers served a total of 222 kids!
The carnival not only serves as a fun, end-of-summer activity, but it also provides a good portion of the school supply list items for many Blackford County children in grades K-8 (sometimes older students, as well). In addition to supplies, each student received a brand-new backpack, as well as socks and underclothes.
Many volunteers from many businesses, churches, and organizations came together to create a fun atmosphere for students as they played a variety of games and activities in order to earn tokens for their school supplies. According to Montpelier Weekly reporter Mary Beal, one of the most popular games this year was set up by Hartford City Foam (photo below, by Mary Beal). Students also enjoyed a dunk tank outdoors, and a hotdog lunch.
The following donated supplies, money, or time to make this year’s carnival a success: Citizens State Bank, Blackford County Commissioners, Blackford County Health Department, First Financial Bank, Hartford Iron & Metal, Creek Run, First Baptist Church, Richard Ingram MD, Glancy Funeral Home, Montpelier Family Dentistry, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company, Pleasant Grove Church, The Flip Flop, Hartford City Foam, Farm Bureau, State Farm, Blackford County Sheriffs, Via Credit Union, Stepstone Youth, Variety Unlimited LLC, Grace Community Church, Lighthouse Church, Waters Nursing Home, Kay Shrope – Dolly Parton Books, Magic Corner, City of Montpelier, Blackford Tobacco, Pleasantdale Church, Dynamic Lawn Solutions, City of Hartford City, Jane Anne Herring, Mary Wilson, Blackford County Teachers, Jeff Walter – DJ, Hartford City Meat & Deli, IU Health Blackford, and Smith Insurance.
Pleased with the turnout, Angela Smith of Smith Insurance remarked, “We are so very happy to be able to continue this with the support of so many businesses and churches. We have already started planning on next year’s as it will be the 20th anniversary of our carnival! Looking forward to an even bigger and better event to celebrate the kids of Blackford County.”
If you’d like to be a part of next year’s carnival, please contact the folks at Smith Insurance. Many thanks to all who were a part of this year’s fantastic event!
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