All Fun And Games When You Raise Money For Kids

Even at age 8, Molly Geldermann was intent on making a difference. Inspired by piles of goody bag prizes lying around her house, Molly dreamed of running a carnival and giving the money to charity.

Two years later, at age 10, Molly hosted the first carnival in her front yard. Using board games and found objects from home to set up classic carnival games like Bozo Buckets and Pin the Tail, Molly hosted about 20 neighborhood kids and raised $200 for A Safe Place.

The idea stuck and every year since, she and her sister Hannah (who took over seven years ago at age 11) have hosted A Kid’s Carnival for A Kid’s Charity, raising more than $68,000 for various children’s charities, including the Mother’s Trust Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, and the Margo Moreland Charitable Foundation.

The 13th annual Kid’s Carnival for a Kid’s Charity will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at 550 Hathaway Circle, Lake Forest.

This year, proceeds will go to KidsUganda, a Lake Bluff-based community partnership dedicated to providing aid to the Maranatha Schools in southeastern Uganda. These schools provide education and vocational training, two meals a day, homes for children without families, increased family involvement, and a loving and caring environment for more than 1,100 children and 125 orphans who otherwise would live in harsh conditions.

“What started out as a neighborhood event has really grown to a communitywide event,” said Hannah. “Last year we had about 200 participants, and the support we’ve gotten from our friends has been amazing.”

Not only does the whole Geldermann clan get involved the day of the event (including Molly and their twin brothers, now age 20), but about 30 friends also join in. As in years past, the planning is done by Hannah (and Molly before passing it along to her younger sister).

The carnival still is hosted on the Geldermann front lawn and features many of the original games built by Molly. But it has expanded to include a raffle, crafts, dunk tank (offered at a discount by Mutual Hardware in Highland Park), moonwalk (thanks to the Moreland family), popcorn machine and plenty of other treats and prizes donated by friends around the community.

Sadly, this is the final Kid’s Carnival. As the youngest Geldermann and soon to be a senior at , Hannah is the last family member to run the event – but hopefully not the last host.

“It would be great if someone else stepped up to take over,” said Hannah. “We’ve accomplished more than Molly could have ever dreamed of 13 years ago, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.”

Any of the remaining games will be donated to with hopes that they can continue the positive giving trend.