Pasadena's Willard Elementary hosted its first-ever Family Fun Day on April 15th, 2023, in partnership with "It's A Soft Play World." The event was aimed at providing a fun-filled day for students and their families while also raising much-needed funds for the Willard Annual Fund.
The Willard Annual Fund was created to pick up the slack left by budget cuts and a lack of resources in the Pasadena Unified School District. The Annual Fund supports key programs, such as language classes, science classes, and the library, which are essential to the education and growth of students at Willard Elementary.
The Family Fun Day featured an array of vendors, including MADE IN DENA, John Que's Smokeout, Handles Ice Cream, Mac N' Cheese Rebel, Krafted Kona Ice, Kat's Macarons, Mimis Cotton Candy, Eddie Clyde's Tamale Hut, Cadaver Co., Educational Hip Hop for Kids, Cakes & Cupcakes by Lana Martinez, and more. The DJ kept the party going with great music, and there were incredible prizes donated to the raffle, including cool gear from MADE IN DENA.
John Que's Smokeout was a crowd favorite with their chicken nachos, tri-tip, sausages, and hot dogs. There was also a petting zoo with goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, and chickens, and pony rides for the kids. Face painting was available, and kids of all ages enjoyed the bouncy houses and inflatable slides.
The event was made possible thanks to the hard work of Annual Fund Coordinator Jared Hinton, volunteers, and the support of local businesses. With a $70,000 fundraising goal this year, the Family Fun Day was an important event for the Willard Elementary community. Local businesses stepped up to sponsor and attend as vendors, supporting the school and getting their businesses in front of the community.
Willard Elementary is an International Baccalaureate World School, providing a curriculum framework to develop the whole child, addressing their academic, social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs. The Willard community recognizes the importance of investing in education and providing their students with the best opportunities possible.
The Family Fun Day was a great success, bringing the community together and raising important funds for the Willard Annual Fund. With the continued support of local businesses and community members, Willard Elementary can continue to provide essential programs to their students and help them reach their full potential.
If you were unable to attend the event or become a sponsor, you can still make a difference by making a donation. Every little bit counts, and your contribution will help ensure that Willard Elementary continues to provide a high-quality education to its students despite budget cuts and lack of resources.
To make a donation or learn more about how you can support Willard, please contact Jared Hinton, Annual Fund Coordinator, at (626) 555-1234 or jhinton@willardelementary.org. Let's come together as a community to support our local schools and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
