Mia Buffington, 3, of Nisswa, had her face painted as her dad, Adam, and brother, Elijah, 1, looked on at the Eagle View school carnival.

Geselle McLaughlin, 3, of Pine River, looked at a book at the Book Walk that was part of the Eagle View Elementary School carnival Friday, March 5.

The Eagle View Elementary School community came together Friday night, March 5, for the most successful school carnival yet, helping replenish much needed PTA funds.

This annual carnival, sponsored by the PTA, took on a life of its own after former PTA co-treasurer Sarah Ann Barnum was charged last month in Crow Wing District Court for allegedly forging checks to steal more than $10,000 in PTA funds, leaving the organization nearly penniless.

"We are so pleased with how that turned out," Jill Andersen, PTA president, said of the carnival. "It gave us a big boost. And the support of those who just came out to support our cause overwhelmed us."

It's estimated that a record 1,000-plus people attended the carnival, including half the Eagle View student body. The PTA thanked everyone who donated time and items for the carnival.

"It truly is the silver cloud lining story compared to our last situation," Janet Hennies, PTA carnival chair, said of the event. "The outpouring from the community is amazing.

"It was so exciting to see our community pull together to support our kids," Hennies said.

This year's carnival featured a silent auction for the first time with more than 70 items. Teachers raffled their talents to help raise funds, and the PTA sold more than 600 carnival buttons at $5 each. More than 80 volunteers helped with the carnival, including high school students from the Junior National Honor Society.

While many businesses pitched in to help, some businesses and organizations went above and beyond the call of duty, including Mickey's of Nisswa, which worked in the food section for the entire carnival. The Pequot Lakes Library donated approximately 400 books for the Book Walk.

For the first time, several teachers raffled themselves in the raffle auction to spend time with a student doing a special activity, eating lunch or playing games during recess.

Special education classes pulled together 500 gift bags for the kids who attended the carnival, and each classroom painted a mural to decorate the hallway. Mrs. Crosby donated class time for this project.

Also, Mrs. Duoos and Mrs. Harman stood the entire time at the entrance to welcome carnival participants into the school and give them their circus passports. At the end of the night they gave gift baskets to kids as they left.

Families with young children jammed the cafeteria and gym at Eagle View for fun and games. The theme was "Welcome to the Circus," with PTA members and other volunteers dressed as clowns. In addition to the silent auction and games, the carnival featured bingo, a Book Walk, crafts, facepainting, basket raffles and food.

Hennies thanked the core Carnival Committee, which included Andersen, Lori Blaukat, Rene Millner, Melissa Hartwig, Kristi Duff, Diondra Putnam, Kristin Larsen, Missy Trees, Bryn Yahn, Joni Carlson, Aundra Jones, Katy Krieger, Lori Elson, Cindi Boyda and Kathy Gilchrist.

"The committee was an amazing group of people that had dedication, gifts and talents to make this a successful event," Hennies said. "They worked so hard to make this all come together."

Despite the carnival's success, the PTA hasn't made up all the funds it lost.

"We're not quite back to where we were, but we're making good headway," Andersen said, noting the PTA board still must decide where funds will be cut this spring.

For example, the PTA had budgeted $200 to provide healthy snacks to students during MCA testing. That dedicated funding may need to be reduced.

The PTA also helps fund the second-grade Grandparents' Day in April and spring field trips for students. Funding for these activities may need to be reduced, resulting in the events being scaled back.

Andersen is hopeful the PTA, which was in danger of folding this year because of lack of leadership, will rebound and start next year with a bang. People have joined in the past month.

"There's so much we can do. We just need the resources," Andersen said, noting families pay just $7 a year to join PTA. It's not a big time commitment. People volunteer when and if they can.

Anyone interested in joining PTA can e-mail plspta@hotmail.com.