HOW TO GO
What: 6th Annual MUM Family Fun Fest
When: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2-6 p.m.
Where, Johnston Hall, Miami University Middletown, 4200. N. University Blvd.
Cost: Free, open to the public.
More info: Call Dr. Wickline at (513) 217-4180. Rain or shine. Door prizes at 4 p.m. Free cotton candy and free popcorn. This year, there will also be a free shuttle provided by a grant from the Middletown Community Foundation that will run every 30 minutes from The Robert “Sonny” Hill Community Center (RSHCC) at 800 Lafayette Ave.
MIDDLETOWN – A scavenger hunt, 25-cent carnival games and a free bouncy house are only part of what families can expect to enjoy at this year’s 6th Annual MUM Family Fun Fest.
The 6th Annual MUM Family Fun Fest will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 in and around Johnston Hall at Miami University-Middletown, 4200. N. University Blvd.
Virginia (Ginger) Wickline, assistant professor of clinical psychology at MUM, Miami Middletown Diversity Council co-chair and SERVE faculty advisor, said the event is a free, fun event for families.
“We have always prided ourselves on having a fun, low-cost, or no-cost event for families,” Wickline said. “Some of our biggest highlights are a free bouncy house, free giveaways and door prizes, and our community scavenger hunt, where families can get to know some of our local businesses and nonprofits, and the services they offer.”
This year’s Family Fun Fest will also include a coloring contest, raffles and music. Food will be available for purchase. (Proceeds will benefit local charities.)
The event was started by Wickline and several student officers in SERVE (Students Engaging In Real Volunteer Efforts), who wanted to provide something to do for families on a tight budget.
“We also recognized that families don’t always know about the resources that are out there, especially if they are on more limited means. So, we designed the Family Fun Fest to be a fun time out, but it’s also educational, so the community can learn more about the resources and partners that are out there to help,” Wickline said.
She said one way the event has continued to grow is in the number of community partners that participate. There were about 10 community partners at the initial event, now there are more than 40 involved. Several of the community partners include Central Connections, Women Enriching Lives, Great Miami Valley YMCA/Atrium Family YMCA and Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF).
Donors and sponsors have also continued to increase. Initially, there were about five donors. Now, there are about 70 supporters. The first event was held in the fall of 2010.
Canned and boxed food donations for local charities are encouraged, (but not required) at the door. All of the event proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations.
More than 1,500 people have attended the event in the past. Part of the event’s marketing strategy includes a personal invitation to families via postcards that are distributed through Middletown City Schools – from preschool to fifth grade.
The event is hosted by SERVE. The students in SERVE take on a number of responsibilities and learn a variety of skills in planning the event, everything from event layout and donation requests to understanding logistics like insurance and risk management.
Sponsors include Air Products and Chemicals, Bob Evans, Cincinnati State (Middletown), Jack’s Pets, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, Miami University Community Federal Credit Union, New York Life, Towne Boulevard Church of God as well as many Miami University offices and organizations.
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