On October 18th, The Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale and SIUC recreation students are partnering to bring you the Fall Chili Dinner & Kid’s Carnival.The event will be held at the Carbondale Middle School, 1150 E. Grand Ave., from 5:00-7:30pm.  The Fall Chili Dinner will feature delicious chili (beef and vegetarian), hot dogs, chips, carrots, cake, tea and lemonade.  Meal tickets are $8 adults, and $5 children 2-10 years old.  Throughout the evening, Steve Weaks’ recreation class will be hosting a FREE carnival for kids.  Carnival events include

·        Pumpkin Carving Contest (Bring your best carved pumpkin with you)

·        Carnival Games and Prizes

·        Dance Contest

·        Mystery Run Room – Come and check it out!

Thanks to sponsorships by Feirich/Mager/Green/Ryan, The Heinemann Family, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale – SIH, and Old National Bank, all event costs are covered.  Therefore, every dollar of the Chili Dinner ticket revenue will go directly to The Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale to cover operational expenses.  Furthermore, Wal-Mart is matching the first $1000 in ticket revenue dollar-for-dollar.

The club has a membership of over 500 and serves around 100 children each weekday.  It costs approximately $500 per member per year to run the club operations.  Members pay only $18/year to belong to the club (12 mos.), and the balance of operations ($240,000+) must be raised through grants and private donations and fund raisers.

So, come out and enjoy the fun on October 18th at the Fall Chili Dinner & Kid’s Carnival!  Tickets for the Chili Dinner may be purchased at The Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale, Realty Central (Murdale Shopping Center) and the Carbondale Park District/Life Community Center (2500 W. Sunset Dr.).

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Sunshine D. Wilson at (618) 457-8877, Ext. 3.