REBEKAH HERNANDEZ
OBSERVER Staff Correspondent
SUNY Fredonia's radio systems, WCVF-FM and WCVL, hosted its 7th Annual "Rockin' the Commons: A Benefit in Honor of Nick Spawn" Saturday.
Article Photos
OBSERVER?Photo by Rebekah Hernandez
The sandbox was still open for play at the Nick Spawn benefit Saturday, which brought all of its festivities indoors out of cold and rainy weather.
Spawn is a SUNY Fredonia student who was diagnosed in December 2008 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). The profits from the event will go to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute to benefit research and patient care of those diagnosed with ALL.
The event was planned to take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Barker Commons in downtown Fredonia. However, due to the cold and rainy weather, the event was held at its rain location in the Fredonia Masonic Lodge.
There was live entertainment from several bands such as "The New Traditionalists" and "The Long Drive Home," a solo act by Evan Prewitt, a Chinese auction, Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ and a children's festival.
The event had many supporters including WNYF, Sound Services, the Teacher's Education Club (TEC). The annual children's festival was hosted by the TEC. This year, over 40 club members volunteered their time from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Children were able to enjoy playing in a sandbox, making sand art, having their faces painted and making necklaces. SUNY Fredonia student Katie Hughes was one of the volunteers from TEC. She enjoyed helping out with the event for the first time.
"It all goes to a great cause, for cancer, and it's fun for the kids," she said.
Students from the club are Education majors getting ready for a field where some will be teaching children. Sophomore Emily Entress and freshman Morgan Reisdorf are TEC members who helped organize and lead the crafts and games for the children.
"It's great to be with kids and it's helping us to prepare for when we have to be outgoing and nice with children," they said.
Daniel Figliole, president of the TEC, was very happy to be a part of the event and felt it was a great success.
"It's great to raise awareness and considering it's in a rain location, it's a great turnout," Figliole said.
Children had a lot of fun with the activities and while some were making sand art, others won a fish but there was a smile on all of their faces. Parents were glad to take their children to the festival. Community member Kristie Gronquist was proud of students for going out of their way and volunteering for the cause.
"It is good for the community and for more awareness," she said. "It's for a great cause."
