WHITEHALL — Many first-time events learn a lot from their initial go of it that then gets applied to the second attempt, but the first Vikings First summer kick-off party last June went so well, organizer Stacy Shepherd said, that not much needed to change.
And so not much did at the second annual summer kick-off, which took place last Thursday at Goodrich Park. The inflatables, chicken dinners, raffles and giveaways all bore striking resemblance to the 2024 event, which raises money to support Whitehall District Schools' athletic programs. Outside of The Substitutes being the showcase live music performer, Dairy Treat handing out popsicles, and Lakeshore Golden Cards and Collectibles joining the fun with its own giveaways - and a visit from popular Pokemon character Pikachu - you'd have hardly been able to tell the two years' parties apart.
"The whole goal behind this is really just to get the community to come together," Shepherd said. "That's really where my heart is with this whole thing. I remember growing up and coming to events down at Goodrich Park. They were all for the school. It was all for boosters, and it was all just to support the kids. That's what I want to mimic."
Shepherd is a key part of Vikings First, which works to defray costs for athletic participation for Whitehall students in lieu of needing to use things like the sales of discount cards and other potentially time-consuming fundraising methods. It's a stated mission of the group to one day raise enough money annually to eliminate pay-to-participate fees within the district.
Fundraising methods won't get far without some fun, though, and Vikings First had three premier level sponsors - Ferguson Family Dental, Bulldog Dumpsters and the Viking Garage. Those sponsorships enabled free bounce houses for the kids, among other fun events.
The 2024 event raised "around $6,000," Shepherd said, and Vikings First hopes to continue to grow the summer kick-off in future years.
"We thought it was so successful for the first year, we really don't need to change much," Shepherd said. "I want all these kids to feel supported and loved."
