Southdown Community Day Begins
New Tradition
This just might be the start of something big; really big. The first ever Southdown School PTA Community Day was a success. Plans are already afoot to make it an annual event.
The grounds of the Browns Road school are normally deserted on Saturday, but last weekend they came alive with a massive garage sale, fire truck and ambulance tours, lemonade stand sales, a car wash, live music, lawn games and plenty of other fun elements.
"The event was an enormous success, thanks to hours of planning and hard work by Southdown parents and willing participants from the Huntington community," said Valerie Kellogg, Southdown PTA treasurer and chair of the event. "People are already asking if we can make this an annual event, which we plan to do. If anyone has any ideas on how to improve the event next year, please let us know."
Southdown parents donated items for sale at the huge garage sale, which generated profits the PTA will eventually plow back into school programs. The Huntington Fire Department and Huntington Community First Aid Squad were on the scene with their specialized vehicles, giving tours to all-comers. The Boy Scouts held a car wash and the Girl Scouts manned a lemonade stand. PTA members hawked homemade baked goods and piping hot coffee.
A group of fathers joined together to provide live music as students enjoyed games on Southdown's athletic field. The Huntington Booster Club's trailer was also at the event, selling Blue Devil merchandise.
The day-long event was all about community as people of all ages put aside their usual Saturday activities and came together at Southdown. The PTA made about $1,700, including donation s from both the Girl Scouts and Bad Dawgs, which sold hot dogs to participants.
Some of the leftover garage sale items were donated to the Family Service League's Manor Family Center for distribution directly to local needy families. Unsold children's books and games were given to the Southdown Primary School.
About 80 percent of the PTA's annual budget is designated for programs for the Southdown community. "Profits from our fund-raisers are down this year due to the economy, so what we raised [at Community Day] will go far," Mrs. Kellogg said.