A fun event, for a great cause

As a youngster, Teri Jordan used to watch Paul Shannon on a local television station and recalls that every summer, he invited children watching the show to have a “backyard carnival” to help support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
This memory inspired her to create a special event for her nephew, Max Jordan Cunningham, who battled DIPG, a terminal form of brain cancer while a student in the West Greene School District.
“Near the end of each school year, Max’s school held a fun day for the kids, with snow cones, crafts and games,” Jordan said. “To plan for the second anniversary of Max’s passing, I put the two events together and created the ‘Fun Day Carnival.'”
While the event isn’t scheduled until May 6, Jordan is currently canvassing the county for items to be included in the fundraiser’s Chinese auction. She, with the help of others, have been phoning area businesses, knocking on doors and a soliciting support online.
So far, the Pittsburgh Steelers have promised an autographed photo of Antonio Brown, Pepsi is donating four cases of soda pop and water and businesses including McMillen Photography of Waynesburg are donating gift cards.
Those wishing to donate similar items should phone Jordan at 724-428-3085.
Following Max’s death on May 24, 2015, relatives wanted to do something in his name to help combat the disease that produces symptoms like double vision, the inability to fully close the eyelids, the drooping of one side of the face and making it difficult to chew and swallow. They formed Team Max and organized a spaghetti dinner.
“We wanted the proceeds to go into a special Max Jordan Cunningham DIPG Fund at Children’s Hospital, but discovered that to have a separate fund started, we had to first raise $10,000,” Jordan said.
They then thought of making the donation to another already-existing DIPG fund at the hospital, but the spaghetti dinner proved so successful, it raised the requisite $10,000 and Team Max was able to start the fund in the boy’s name.
“Max was very well liked,” Jordan said. “When I tell people about Fun Day Carnival, they ask, ‘What can I do?’ or ‘What can I bring to help?'”
When people arrive at Fun Day Carnival, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday May 6, at the Springhill Community Center, the former elementary school at 1055 Deep Valley Road in New Freeport, they’ll find something of interest for everyone.
Jordan is planning to man a pitch quarters into a water glass booth. Participants can also form teams for the corn hole tournament and try their hand at tossing bean bags through a hole in a wooden panel. First-, second- and third-place teams will split half the pot for their throwing talents.
There should even be a fortune teller on site giving people a glimpse into the future.
Younger participants can visit the plastic duck pond and pick their favorite out of the water to win a prize, join an art project and get their face painted. Everyone will be able to snack on hot dogs, chips, snow cones and goodies purchased at the bake sale, and purchase a wrist band with Max’s name written on it.
“I’m trying to create a carnival-like atmosphere and am looking for suggestions from others as to what we might add,” Jordan said. “Kids from Max’s class and their parents have volunteered to help out at the event.”
Each year since Max’s death, Jordan tries to donate to the fund around his birthday (December 8) and the day of his passing (May 24). Last fall, she organized the sale of Yankee candles as a fundraiser and is thinking of perhaps doing the same again this year.
“I hope to continue fundraising for this good cause into the future,” she said. “All the money we raise goes directly to Max’s fund at Children’s Hospital.”
Those wishing to make a cash contribution to the Max Jordan Cunningham D.I.P.G. Fund at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh can mail their donation to Teri Jordan, c/o Aleppo Post Office, 1169 Aleppo Road, Aleppo, Pa. 15310.