The annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair is more than just the festival that the City of Manteca is known for every October.
It’s quite literally a million-dollar idea.
Over the course of the last 33 years, the festival that has brought thousands of people into Manteca – whether it was out at Oakwood Lake waterslides or on downtown Streets – the first weekend in October has been a driving force in helping the group that organizes it raise $1,038,100 for local charities, non-profits, and community groups that work in the community to provide services and amenities to those that need them most.
On Thursday, the organization held its annual “Community Night of Giving” where the proceeds from the various fundraising events hosted by the Sunrise Kiwanis throughout the year are distributed back into the community to give those that directly help those in need and serve the greater community the assistance they need to continue their ongoing mission.
In the last 12-months the group has distributed $58,630 – $11,380 of which was handed out prior to Thursday’s event, and $47,250 was distributed directly to the organizations on Thursday.
Overall the Sunrise Kiwanis have donated $738,100 directly back to the organizations that benefit Manteca, and generated an additional $300,000 in payments to community groups and organizations that assist with their larger events, including the Manteca Pumpkin Fair and the annual Fourth of July parade.
Receiving funds as part of the $11,380 that was distributed over the course of the last year were: Kiwanis International Foundation, Friends of the East Union Cemetery, Close-Up Foundation, Manteca Fire Chiefs Association, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program, Camp Taylor, be.tech Key Club, Downtown Alliance, Raymus House Birthday Buddies, Kiwanis ONE Day (which included the purchase and installation of a playground), Downtown Safe Halloween, East Union High Choir, Manteca High Thespian Club, Scout Troop 422 and the Boys and Girls Club of Manteca Telethon.
The main recipients of the Manteca Pumpkin Fair proceeds on Thursday were Agape Villages, Give Every Child a Chance and the Boys and Girls Club of Manteca, while others who received funds included: Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, American Legion Post 249, be.tech, Scout Troup 432, Dream Closet, CERT, East Union Sober Grad, Great Valley Bookfest, Hospice of San Joaquin, Special Day on the Farm, Kiwanis Eliminate Program, Kiwanis Family House, Kiwanis Rose Parade Float, Manteca Centennial Celebration, Manteca Police Explorers, Manteca Historical Society, Manteca Noon Kiwanis Sponsored Youth, Manteca Prayer Breakfast, Manteca Rotary, Manteca Senior Center, Manteca Youth Focus, Every 15 Minutes, Raymus House, SHARP, Sierra High Graduation, Thanksgiving in Manteca, Valley CAPS and VFW Post 6311.
The organization also distributes high school scholarships to students at each of the district’s high school campuses.
Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis President Scott Heath welcomed all of the beneficiaries and dignitaries to the event Thursday night while Boy Scout Troop 432 – who also received funds – presented the colors. Judy Horton of Manteca Youth Focus sang the National Anthem while Steve Roland delivered the opening prayer.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
