Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's carnival a big success.

Like many not-for-profit, human service agencies, Neighborhood House operates on a very tight budget. Although many parents struggle to pay the weekly fee, the sad truth is that we could not make ends meet on parent fees alone, and fundraising projects and other financial support is essential if we are to keep our doors open and continue to provide child care services to area families.

We are very proud to receive funding from the United Way of Cayuga County, and gifts from area foundations and corporations have helped us enormously. Our parents support our annual cookie dough sale and monthly raffles, as well as provide gifts of classroom supplies and snacks throughout the year.

Our largest fundraising event is our annual Children's Carnival, held each summer. The carnival is an opportunity for parents, staff and board members to work together to put on an event that is both fun for young children and raises funds for Neighborhood House.

Our sixth annual carnival took place on Friday evening, July 14. Children played games and won prizes, enjoyed an obstacle course and bouncy castle, they created crowns, magic wands and royal mosaics.

Children and adults alike enjoyed the chance to win a decorated cake, fudge or brownies. We served hot dogs, freshly popped corn, juice and bottled water.

We offered a garage sale of children-oriented merchandise during the carnival, and Auburn boys varsity lacrosse coach Steve Crosby organized a lacrosse shooting game for the children. The children enjoyed having their faces painted and received temporary tattoos.

The “Fairy Tale Wonderland” theme culminated with a performance of “The Commedia Princess and the Pea” by the Merry-Go-Round Summer Youth Theatre. If you have not yet had a chance to see this wonderful play, I encourage you to do so.

Thanks to our patrons, who donated $100 or more, and our sponsors, who donated $25 or more, all of this fun activity generated more than $2,000 that we will use to purchase equipment for our classrooms and playground.

Funds raised at previous carnivals were used to purchase the four-seater and six-seater strollers that our teachers use nearly every day to take our older infants and toddlers for walks, and our sturdy bikes that our 3- and 4-year-olds use every day.

On behalf of the children who will benefit from this equipment, I thank the volunteers and donors who made this success possible.

This new classroom equipment will help make Neighborhood House an even better place for children to learn and grow.

Susan Jones is executive director for the Neighborhood House in Auburn