Yavneh Academy’s Chesed Team hosted yet another fun and fulfilling event as they held a pre-Chanukah Drive-by CARnival for students in the community who are not able to celebrate Chanukah in a yeshiva setting. The committee of Chesed Team parents initiated the idea and have been planning for weeks as they considered what they can do to spread the Chanukah spirit?

Over 50 Yavneh Academy students volunteered at the event and close to 60 guest children benefited from the carnival! Children played games such as spinner dreidel, put out the Chanukah candles, pin the candle on the menorah, get the latke in the frying pan and Chanukah karaoke—all from the safety of their cars. They were entertained with guitar playing, a Chanukah dance, car decorating and of course our mascot, the Redhawk, dancing to greet them. Guests also received Chanukah toys, gelt, Chanukah masks donated by Andy and Evan, delicious Chanukah cookies and helium balloons. A highlight was when the guests were able to stand in front of a Chanukah background, crafted by Yavneh students, and holding Chanukah props had polaroid photos taken of themselves to take home.

One parent of a drive-by guest expressed how much the event meant to her family, “Thank you so much for this incredible drive by! My kids really enjoyed it and loved all the prizes they got. While their siblings have school to make Chanukah special, they are learning virtually and have nothing else. A special thank you to the Yavneh students and parents for giving of their time and for standing out in the cold to bring Chanukah cheer to our family. Thanks so much!!”

Although it was cold outside both our students and guests left the event feeling wonderful warm feelings as they celebrated the upcoming Chanukah together.