Welcome to Whitestone, a new neighborhood improvement group started over the summer by resident Devon O’Connor, held its first major event last week: a holiday fund-raiser for St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.
Featuring photographs with Santa Claus, music, games, prizes, tattoos, face-painting and food, last Thursday’s event was a party for children but it still brought in plenty of money for the hospital.
“The event was incredible,” O’Connor said. “We had about 50 kids come with their families. They all took pictures with Santa and we raised about $550.”
O’Connor, whose Welcome to Whitestone group helps bring businesses together to help one another and to do good work in the community, enlisted local companies to sponsor prizes such as gift cards and free meals at area stores and restaurants.
The event was held at O’Connor’s business, Dabby’s Party Space, at 11-02 Clintonville St.
“Since the beginning, Welcome to Whitestone was about producing and promoting family fun events that were sponsored by the local businesses, and that’s exactly what I did with this event,” he said. “I had about 25 businesses helping to sponsor this event.”
— Connor Adams Sheets
