Mayfair Mall and the National Family Partnership announced two separate opportunities for kids and parents to have some fun and maybe raise some money for their schools in the process.
First, Mayfair Mall is hosting "Celebrate Schools!," a free pep rally and showcase for K-12 schools. Shoppers can check out students' educational displays, music and dance performances, and fundraising activities scattered throughout the center court and food court areas of the mall. The goal is to celebrate schools and community partnerships, as well as raise awareness and funds.
The rally will also shine the spotlight on DonorsChoose.org, a website that allows individuals to donate money to particular schools in need of books, art supplies, technology and other resources needed in their classrooms.
Current schools and groups participating in the event include MPS' Craig Montessori School, St. Margaret Mary School Boy Scout Troop 260 and Cub Scout Troop 60, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, the Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin, the elementary art department for Wauwatosa Public Schools and the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District and recreation department.
The pep rally starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 and runs through 3 p.m. that afternoon.
In addition, the National Family Partnership announced a month-long contest in honor of the 28th annual Red Ribbon Week. Students and parents can creatively decorate their front door, mailbox or fence with a red ribbon and the theme for this year's contest, "A Healthy Me is Drug Free." Families can then upload a picture of them alongside their Red Ribbon Week decor to the contest's website by Nov. 4. People can then vote for which entries are their favorites from Nov. 5 to Nov. 19.
The family's photo that receives the most votes in its particular region wins $1,000 for their school and an iPad for themselves.
Red Ribbon Week runs from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.