Under a gray and rainy March 29th sky, Robeson Elementary School was buzzing with spring time fun, as the annual PTO Fun Fest drew crowds ready for a Saturday out of the house.
Packed with people all day long, the Fun Fest was expected to net its usual $6,000 to $8,000 in profits, funds used mostly for student field trips and technology.
This was the first year on the planning committee for PTO President Becky Rimby.
‘It’s been great,’ Rimby said. ‘A lot of new people got involved this year, and it’s just getting better and better.’
From Bingo to baked goods, the games and entertainment abounded all throughout the school. Face painting and fishing, tattoos and treasure hunt, crafts and Sandy Candy and a Lollipop Tree were all part of the fun, as well as a Chrysler initiative which provided a $10 donation to Robeson Elementary for every test drive taken.
Chrysler representative Florence Martin of Malvern stated that the Drive and Ride event was a popular one with Fun Fest attendees, and it was an easy way to assist the school with fundraising.
John Senick of Anthony D’Ambrosio Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM from Elverson was present, and he said, ‘We try to help the school in any way that we can.’
Senick went on to say that D’Ambrosio wanted to continue the assistance well past the date of the Fun Fest, and that $100 would be donated to Robeson Elementary for every car purchased by the end of 2014 as a result of the event.
D’Ambrosio was also giving $14.95 oil change cards to those who took a test drive in one of the three Chrysler vehicles.
‘We have a 300 All-Wheel-Drive, which was needed by many this past winter,’ Senick said. ‘We also have a Towne and Country Minivan, which is popular with parents, as well as a sporty 200 Chrysler convertible.’
More than 250 man and woman hours went into this year’s event, with 150-175 volunteers on-site and behind the scenes. The yearly event is a long-standing tradition at Robeson Elementary, and is the school’s biggest fundraising effort of the year.
‘It’s a really long-standing tradition,’ said Allison Bolt, who was working with Plowville Cub Scout Pack 543 and Gibralter’s Pack 529 to run the crafts room.
Tina Gieringer of Robeson Township was with her niece Gabbi Johnson, who created an Easter rabbit craft.
‘This is really nice,’ said Gieringer. ‘The kids are having lots of fun.’
‘My kids love it,’ reported Carla Meissner, in attendance with her five-year-old daughter Grace.
‘I think everybody’s having a blast,’ said PTO parents Knicki Knickerbocker and Stacy Smoker.
‘I’m super-impressed with the community donations and everyone’s willingness to help,’ added Smoker.
A library jam-packed with Chinese and Silent Auction items illustrated the generous nature of the community, students, parents, and teachers.
Burger King and Bird-in-Restaurant, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Reading Public Museum, Turkey Hill Minit Markets and Rock Hollow Woods and The Amish Farm and House were just a few of the benefactors. Class theme baskets were also featured, and monetary and bingo donors were acknowledged as well.
Vendor tables in the lower level of the school included the Boy and Girl Scouts, Twin Valley Soccer Club, Relay for Life, and Huyett’s Auction.
Special appearances were made by local fire companies and police departments, with the Twin Valley Middle School Fiddlers and ReMix Dance & Fitness providing entertainment.
Robeson Elementary was the place to be on a rainy Saturday in March, as evidenced by the crowds and the packed parking lots.