Gathering on Buellton’s Willemsen property offers games, exhibits, and desserts, to raise money for facility
Ashley Jenkins continues to beat the drum for the work-in-progress Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum at the former Willemsen property on 202 Dairyland Road in Buellton.
The founder and board president hosted the latest fundraising event on Sept. 14, a Carnival event with several games for all ages, free tacos, and a silent auction for various prizes, as well as a separate option for a lot of homemade desserts.
During her speech, Jenkins brought up a shining example of what keeps her going in her effort to bring the museum to fruition.
“There is one kid here tonight, over at that table,” Jenkins said, pointing toward young Paul Ortiz, who stood out with his Santa Ynez youth football jersey and a matching orange cast healing a forearm injury. “He wroter me a letter recently, and it was the cutest thing in the world and he did it all with a broken arm.”
Jenkins then displayed the letter: “It says ‘Hey, thanks for what you’re doing. Thanks for making a cool place for me to play, and thanks for giving me a safe place, a fun place.”
She then invited Paul over to join her and display the letter amid audience applause.
“It is because the kids appreciate it,” she said, answering her own question of “Why keep doing it”?
The Carnival event drew quite a crowd, offering plenty of fun exhibits, and a few improvements over last June’s event, thanks to some donated funds.
“We were able to raise money to put a shade over our Dirt Zone, which is one of our most popular exhibits,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins also noted that Rachel Van Pelt raised funds for an “ant hill,” an artificial mound with a grass covering.
“We want to make a bigger one with a tunnel through it so kids can crawl through,” said Jenkins, who praised Van Pelt for the funding, and Coastal Landscape for providing the hill.
Other improvements noted by Jenkins included a gazebo given to the museum by the Solvang Senior Center, and a new sandbox that marks a permanent home for the “Dino Dug” exhibit thanks to 805 Concrete.
“I love that we can show everyone where the money’s going into,” Jenkins said.
Later on, more money was raised thanks to the event’s Dessert Auction, where attendees bid on various goodies like cakes, pies, cookies, and more.
And near the end of the event, they had “Chicken Crap Bingo.”
Volunteer Amy Yeung brought her chicken, Miss Gandolph, to participate in a game where people bought squares on a grid; then, Miss Gandolph was put into a pen with the numbers on a bigger sheet on the ground, and whatever number Miss Gandolph “did her business” on would be the winner.
It was a good idea in theory, but unfortunately Miss Gandolph didn’t seem to want to relieve herself. It’s still unclear whether Miss Gandolph ever determined a winner.
The Children’s Museum was an idea welcomed by many parents at the event.
Mike and Brooke Volpe, attended the fundraiser with their children, Zackary, 10, and Katelynne, 8. The family recently moved from Dublin, California, to Solvang, where Brooke was in the process of opening a fitness business.
“One of the moms in the Fit for Moms business I’m starting is a volunteer here and suggested I come to this,” she said. “It’s a great place for everyone, and it’s good for all ages.”
Mike Volpe was equally impressed.
“I like how they’re blending science and art and bringing both together in the same museum,” he said. “And since I’m a history geek, I hope there’s some history mixed in too. But anything that get kids into learning is great.”
Jenkins hopes that attitude spreads across the Santa Ynez Valley
“We’re building more than a playground, though,” she said while addressing the crowd. “We’re building a resource for the whole community.”
Jenkins mentioned three ways to for people to help: Spread the word, take your story back into your communities and tell them about it; Volunteer with the museum, whether you can spare a couple hours a year, or a couple hours a month; and third, giving monthly, giving today, giving into the future.
You can donate on the museum website syvchildrenmuseum.com using the Donation button or visit their Amazon Wishlist to see some of their current needs. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram @SYVchildrensmuseum.
Feature image: Santa Ynez Children’s Museum found and Board President Ashley Jenkins displays a letter she received from Paul Ortiz (left, in SY Pirates jersey) thanking her for her efforts, at the Children’s Museum Carnival fundraiser on Sept. 14.
