Credit: Dave Hawks.

By Rachel Stern

On October 17 Shalom Austin JCC Early Childhood Program (ECP) hosted its annual fundraising event, Family Fun Day. Historically, Family Fun Day has been a spring event, but this year the date was moved to the fall to coincide with the excitement of a new school year.

Family Fun Day is an event on the Dell Jewish Community Campus and has child-focused activities such as a petting zoo, balloon animals, bounce house and even a train ride. It also showcases ECP early childhood vendors, Kim’s Gym, Soccer Shots, Ballet Austin and Lil’ Dragons. This year, the event was adapted to be COVID safe for participating families as children were rotated through the activities in smaller groups. A special highlight of the day was the small group tours of the classrooms. Due to COVID, families haven’t been able to see the classrooms in over a year and were excited to finally be inside.

Shalom Austin JCC Early Childhood Program hosts its annual fundraising event, Family Fun Day, with various activities for children. Credit: Dave Hawks.

Leading up to Family Fun Day was Spirit Week organized by ECP parent volunteers. There were fun community building activities each day such as Taco Day, Spirit Day, Pajama Day and Tzedakah Day teaching students why people give back to the community. The shining star of Spirit Week was the inaugural ECP Silent Auction where items included vacation homes, Austin FC VIP tickets and amazing experiences with the phenomenal ECP teachers. 

Again, this auction was a labor of love organized by the ECP parent volunteers. 

Family Fun Day raised a record amount of over $45,000 for the school which will go toward supporting ECP teachers and purchasing new resources for the school. A good time was had by all celebrating the ECP community. ■

Family Fun Day Volunteers

ECP Parent Committee Chairs:

• Sarah Levithan Daniels
• Lily Smullen
• Family Fun Day Committee:
• Julie Franklin
• Blake Leiber
• Lindsay Neuren
• Lainie Polland
• Sarah Torchin
• Lorena Waxman
• Megan Woodburn