15th Annual Willie E. Gary Kids Carnival Provides Toys and Holiday Cheer to Hundreds of Children
STUART, FL – Prominent attorney, Willie E. Gary, and the Gary Foundation recently hosted the 15th Annual Kids Carnival at Memorial Park in Stuart, Florida. Hundreds of children from five counties were invited to attend the event to receive toys and enjoy food, Christmas music, carnival rides, games and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The law firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson and Gary, P.L.L.C., AXA Advisors, Inc., Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Michael A. Jones & Associates, P.L.L.C., Florida Power and Light Company, Cambridge Consulting Group, Lee & Fairman Attorneys at Law, Gary Financial Group, Jeffrey and LaVern Clemmons, Lorenzo Williams, Esq. and family, Chan Abney, Esq. and Michael Haygood, Esq., graciously sponsored the purchase of over 1000 toys. Many local businesses also made financial and in-kind contributions in support of this worthwhile event.
Over 20 youth organizations from Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties were invited to bring young people to the carnival to pick out a gift of his or her choice and enjoy the festivities. The Kids Carnival is a highly anticipated event on the Treasure Coast. Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, the Gary Foundation Kids Carnival has been providing toys to disadvantaged youth who otherwise may not receive any presents for Christmas. Attendees enjoyed sno-cones, pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, a bounce house and obstacle course, inflatable slides, a rock climbing wall, a video game truck, a bungee jumper, as well as numerous competitive rounds of musical chairs.
“This is by far my favorite event of the year,” said Gary. “Christmas is about giving to others and making sure that children, who are less fortunate, can also enjoy the excitement and joy of the Christmas holidays. Given the current economic climate, we have found that there are more children in need than ever before.
Kids being kids - that’s what the carnival is all about,” continued Gary. “Our job is to make sure they have fun, and don’t have any worries for the day.”
Known for his philanthropic endeavors, Willie Gary and his wife, Gloria Gary, founded The Gary Foundation, which provides college scholarships to at-risk students who wish to attend college. The Gary’s have donated millions of dollars to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities – including $10 million pledge to their alma mater, Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.