Hartsburg-Emden has busy day

[October 17, 2011]  HARTSBURG-EMDEN -- Hartsburg-Emden volunteers had a busy day on Saturday. The Coaches vs. Cancer garage sale was in the high school cafeteria in Hartsburg until 2 p.m., and the annual carnival began at 3, attracting members of the community and families from the school district to the grade school in Emden.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a year-around fundraising project sponsored by coaches across the country. The program began in 1993 as collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. It has since been adopted by high school coaches. Throughout the school year, coaches sponsor events that raise funds for cancer research, promote healthy living and raise awareness.

The Coaches vs. Cancer garage sale at Hartsburg offered clothes, small furniture, dishes and other items of interest. Proceeds will be added to the Hartsburg-Emden coaches' donation total.

Hartsburg-Emden is planning an awareness night on Feb. 7, 2012, at a home basketball game with Tremont. Supper items will be sold prior to the game, and a raffle will offer several big prizes and a 50-50 drawing. More details will be announced later.

Garage sale coordinator Diane Swart said the school had its cancer fundraiser last year during a game with Midwest Central and raised over $800 toward the year's total. The first year Hartsburg participated in Coaches vs. Cancer, the district was fifth in the state for dollar amount raised. Four Chicago schools were the top four.

The annual carnival was open to community members and families with children in the Hartsburg-Emden school district. Food service, dining tables, bingo, ring toss and a cake walk were set up on the side street west of the Emden Grade School.

In the backyard, an inflatable Burger King Whopper bobbed back and forth as happy feet jumped inside, kids tried their luck and skill at football toss, and the little kids went for the fishing pond to see if they could hook a wooden trout. The yard was full of carnival games and skill-testing fun that handed out prizes for winners and also-rans. The late afternoon sun was enough to keep the crowd warm, and the event appeared to be a good way to spend a few hours with friends and family.

In the gym, Crime Stoppers provided free and confidential fingerprinting and photo identification kits for parents to take home. Several families took advantage of the service.

[By MARLA BLAIR]