ABWA SPRING FUNFEST PROMOTES FUN AND LEARNING

Alex Harris, 3, right, performed a magic trick with the help of Bubbles the Clown.

Brandon Sievers, 5, enjoys a hot dog at the ABWA Spring Funfest last Saturday.

Jackson Police Sgt. Howard Hammers, DARE coordinator, chats with 7-year-old Cheryl Lichtenegger.

Miss Jackson, Shelly Johnson, right, a student at North Central Missouri College, was in attendance to help give out the prizes along with Miss Christmas, Dawn Galnore.

Joanie Hahs, "JoJo the Clown," was busy passing out balloons to children. Hahs is one of the coordinators for the event.

Logan Harris, 1, got to meet Smokey the Bear while her mother, Lisa Harris, held her. Smokey reminded the children that only they could prevent forest fires.

Three-year-old Kristen Richardet, center, plays the game Lucky Duck while her mother and sister watch.

Those attending the Spring Funfest last Saturday at R.O. Hawkins Junior High were treated to healthy doses of food and fun-filled activity with a spoonful of learning thrown in for good measure.

Amidst the bustle, excited children had their faces painted, jumped with moon shoes, bounced on the riding balls, clowned around with Bubbles the Clown and enjoyed countless other activities, all of which were provided by area businesses and organizations.

Miss Jackson, Shelly Johnson, a student at North Central Missouri College, was in attendance to help give out the prizes along with Miss Christmas, Dawn Galnore.

Food was for sale; kids could eat hot dogs and drink icy cold sodas and, as usual when children are involved, more than a few messes were made.

But it was all part of the fun.

The Jacksonian Charter Chapter of the American Women's Association has organized and hosted the event for the last six years since its inception.

The Funfest is a fundraiser designed to raise money for the Education and Scholarship Fund that the ABWA uses for scholarships. So far, the organization has given over $10,000 to women from Cape County to help further their education. Last year's Funfest raised about $2,000 and those at ABWA hope to do as well this year.

"It's important to continue education," said Pearla Murphy, one of the coordinators of the event and an ABWA member. "That's why we've been doing this for so long because we believe in that."

Many area businesses provide the entertainment for the kids, but their goal was to hopefully do more than entertain.

Learning is a key element to the Spring Funfest, too.

Susan Russell, the president of the local chapter of the Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition, accomplished more than painting pretty pictures on kids faces -- she also reminded them to be safe.

"Accidents are still the number one cause of death and serious injury to children," Russell said as she painted a balloon on a young girl's face. "I've been encouraging these kids to be safe kids."

Those visiting her booth were reminded of many ways to be safe, including wearing seat belts and helmets, and looking both ways before crossing the street.

The Jackson DARE coordinator, police Sgt. Howard Hammers, was also on hand. In addition to handing out balloons and fingerprinting children for fun, "Say No to Drugs" literature was available.

"We're here to promote the DARE program," Hammers said. "And we're having fun with the kids."

Lynn Farrow, the children's librarian for Riverside Regional Library, had a booth set up to promote reading and National Library Week which was last week. She handed out brochures and free book marks to interested children and their parents.

Dr. Khonda Andrews of Andrews Chiropractic Center assisted children in jumping via moon shoes, which help promote balance and coordination.

Andrews, a Jackson resident, likes to participate in these kinds of things.

"She lives in the community and she's raising a family here," said Norma Wade, the care and communication coordinator for the center, who was there, along with Andrews' children, to assist her with the booth. "She's concerned with the quality of life here in her community and these types of events certainly improve quality of life."

The cafeteria of the school was turned into an "obstacle course" for kids. They had to bounce on a riding ball for the length of the room, then slide on their bellies across the other. This was provided to help promote physical fitness, by showing that it can also be fun.

The ABWA appreciates the area businesses that graciously donate their time, said Jane E. Stout, a member of the organization.

"If we didn't have the merchants support then we couldn't do it," she said.