The Saint Mary's College Alumnae Association has paired up with Hannah and Friends to put on a Community Carnival for the people of Michiana this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Saint Mary's alumnae, Holy Cross Hall, students from Notre Dame and local businesses have worked together to foster support for the special needs community and its allies.
According to an Alumnae Association flier, the Community Carnival will feature games, mini clinics and free food, with all proceeds going to Hannah's House and Special Olympics.
Sophomores Emily Hazen and Christen Kloski, who interned at Hannah and Friends last summer, continue to visit the site regularly.
"It helps collaborate local colleges with the community. We recognize those with difference needs in the community," Kloski said.
The two students will intern at Hannah and Friends again this upcoming summer and intend to attend the Community Carnival this weekend.
"Hannah and Friends is a neighborhood for adults with different abilities," Kloski said. "This Saturday is for the entire community."
Kloski, who has also worked at Family Fest, a similar event hosted by the nonprofit organization during the summer, said the Community Carnival is an event that began this year.
"It's good that SMC is getting involved, but especially the alums. I guess they were the ones that contacted Hannah and Friends," Kloski said. "It's a community outreach program, which is good for us to see."
Ashley Hall, hall director of Holy Cross Hall, said the dorm supported the organization throughout the year by offering transportation to its resident-volunteers.
"This partnership is near and dear to the Holy Cross Hall community and we strive to find any way possible to connect our residents with the residents and families who are associated with Hannah and Friends," she said.
Holy Cross Hall typically hosts one on campus event and participates in another off-campus event each year, Hall said. Last semester, "Winter Wonderlan." was the event they chose to host..This year, Hall said the Carnival seemed like a good opportunity to bring Holy Cross residents to their site and volunteer.
"Overall, this program is a safe and fun event for special needs children and their families in the Michiana Community," Hall said. "It also allows our residents to give back to such a special organization,"
Contact Rebecca O'Neil at roneil01@saintmarys.edu
