Use your imagination and you may be able to hear a carnival barker urging you to: “Come one, come all, step right up and enjoy the fun for all! - games - bounce houses – cotton candy – hot dogs and more.

That’s the message from the Riverdale Communities of Education Foundation regarding a new and different fundraiser effort – a winter carnival. It will be held at the REMS building Saturday, January 30, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and the fun continuing until 2 p.m. Included among activities is a long list of fun opportunities and food.

The Foundation is now in its seventh year of working to provide funds to finance needs dear to the hearts of the teaching staff. Organized efforts to attract money that otherwise would not be available include  this  winter event, a spring bowling tournament, and a summer golf tournament as well as a football season lunch stand.

At the time a report was issued early last year, the Foundation had provided more than $23,000 aimed at aiding students, K-4 through 12th grade, with a wide variety of venues.

Teachers apply for awards with descriptions of how the money would be used. Fifteen 2015 applications from staff were approved last year. They included requests for books and other reading materials for classroom libraries, special stools, equipment and containers to keep classroom equipment and supplies organized for teacher and students, tech lab tools and much more.

Gifts to the Riverdale Communities of Education Foundation are tax deductible. If you would like to help the foundation meet it’s mission through a donation, checks, with a memo, can be mailed to: Riverdale Communities Education Foundation, 11828 Buffs Lane, Blue River, WI 53518