Central Interact Club hosts the yearly Caring Carnival and this year, it happened on April 6th. Other Central clubs participate to promote their club and have fun activities for people who attend the carnival. Interact Club does the Caring Carnival to raise money for Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

Interact Club leader Kara Charney said, “The carnival, created by Sophia Libman from Academy High, involved equal participation from schools’ individual Interact/Volunteer clubs. Each school had a different fundraiser they put on during the carnival. Central had the volleyball tournament, Academy High had the STEM challenge, Centennial brought and made concessions, and the other schools each had a fun booth for the kids”.

Interact Club said there were going to be more clubs this year than the past years. The National Honors Society also hosted its second annual thrift shop on the day of the carnival. They are raising money for a local fund to feed children and for a fund to help food insecurities. The purpose of the carnival, says Kara Charney, was to “collaborate with all of the schools in the CU to put on a fun event for the community that raised money for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.”

The carnival had a good amount of clubs, fun activities, and food, which some students would avoid next time.

Student Ava Stelle said, “The chocolate popcorn is disgusting and they should get different food for next time.” 

Meanwhile, Madison Spear said, “The chocolate isn’t as bad as it sounds, but they need other options of food that are better.”

Some things might need to be changed. Student Elizabeth Ricaurte says, “The food needs to change and I feel like more clubs need to participate, she also commented about the carnival needing more promotion.

The carnival wasn’t as popular as expected. Charney says, “Next year, I would start advertising earlier to get the word out to more families and participants. I would also reach out to more sponsors to help make the event bigger and hopefully more successful.”

Clubs had a lot of fun activities and some students were interested in new clubs. Ricaurte had a lot of fun with one specific club. “Jewelry Club was so fun. I made two bracelets and I’m planning on joining the Jewelry Club.” The carnival had activities from bracelet making to even face painting and lemonade pong with prizes.

Students came with friends and some came to support their club. Stelle said “I came here with my friend to support her in representing her club and so she wouldn’t be alone” Ricaurte said, “I came to be here with my friends and also to support my friend that participated in the volleyball tournament.” 

After a day in the carnival, Charney said “I think for next time, Interact would like the volleyball tournament to be bigger, and we would like to encourage more Central clubs to get involved.” The whole carnival turned out smaller than expected but turned out fun and entertaining for everyone. Charney agreed and said, “I loved the carnival, I thought everyone who came had a great time, and it turned out to be a success!”