31
October
2011
|
12:46 PM
America/Chicago

UHD Students, Faculty, Staff Host Fall Carnival for Homeless Kids

On Oct. 27, 60 UHD students, along with staff and faculty members organized a Fall Carnival for the students and families of the House of Tiny Treasures, Houston's school for homeless children. Volunteers decorated the school with streamers, spider balloons, pumpkins, scarecrows and hay bales and entertained 30 excited children and their families with festive activities.

UHD chemistry students kicked off the carnival with a magic show. "Cinderella" and a mad scientist made red and blue soap and ice cream. There was also a photo area where families could have their picture taken. Children and their families decorated pumpkins and cardboard frames for their photographs, "fished" for games or toys over a backdrop and bowled on the side walk. They also played with piñatas and received special tours of police vehicles from the Pasadena and Houston Police Departments.

UHD Urban Education student Daniela Amezcua received a grant from Kohl's Department Store, which funded the event. The Urban Educators' Literacy Society, a UHD student organization, organized the activities and logistics.

Co-sponsors include Leigh Van Horn and Colin Dalton, UHD Urban Education faculty, and Paulette Purdy, Business Administrator of the College of Public Service, and her husband Gordon. Volunteers include faculty members Traquina Emeka, Lance Hignite, Mike Matson and Beth Pelz.

At the end of the event, school director Mitzi Bartlett declared with a smile, "This was our best Fall Carnival ever. You're going to have to do this every year."

*Courtesy of Leigh Van Horn.