Panther_palooza_09-21

Jeff Green | May 28, 2009

Balloon bender Kevin creates fancy balloon head gear for twin sisters Hannah and Chloe at PCPS's Panther Palooza

Prince Charles Public School in Verona held its third annual Panther Palooza fundraiser last Friday night and the event, as usual, was a resounding success.

Prince Charles’ parent council organizes the event and Chair Nicki Gowdy said, “It is definitely the biggest event that we put on all year and we started planning for it way back in February.”

Funds raised from this year’s event will go towards refurbishing and purchasing new equipment for the school gym. In the past profits from the event helped to purchase the new $25,000 play structure in the school’s playground.

The event included a silent and live auction, with local auctioneer Gary Drew, top-notch entertainment by talented students - all winners of a school wide talent contest, plus professional entertainment by local bands Bauder Road and Bill Hoggan and Friends. Other activities included mini golf, face painting, balloon bending and a BBQ.

Marc Veno, a special ed teacher at PC, emceed the show and many teachers and other school staff along with community members and groups were also instrumental in the event’s success.

PCPS’s new vice principal, Allison Fraser, said, “It’s a great community event, which you can tell by all of the people that came out tonight.”

Congratulations and many thanks from Nicki Gowdy to everyone who helped out.