Golden Tradition: Friars Special Kids Carnival Grows

As a Girl Scout looking to earn an award a few years ago, Allison Sweeney was challenged to identify a heartfelt community issue and take action on it in a way that would make a lasting impact — for her, an event to help children with special needs came to mind.

If the large turnout at Saturday's annual Friars Golden Kids Carnival at St. Anthony's High School is any indication, the positive residuals of the former scout's efforts have absolutely made their way into the hearts of special needs kids, her former school and beyond.

"It's such a cool thing," said Sweeney, 20, referring to the special needs idea which she said came to her as a student working in her off time toward the prestigeous Girl Scout Gold Award — the highest honor a senior scout can earn.

Sweeney said the project idea has since been carried forward and expanded by the high school which assumed official sponsorship for the carnival event in 2011.

Taking a break from her time at Manhattan College where she studies special education, Sweeney returned this weekend to South Huntington and was pleased at how it has all turned out.

"The whole idea behind the Gold Award project is to have something that continues and carries on, so it's exciting that mine actually worked out and is continuing," said Sweeney, of East Northport.

Has it ever.

This year, about 300 St. Anthony's students and more than 100 special needs kids and their families were on hand for a free afternoon of carnival games, face painting, inflatable rides, sporting events, other fun-filled activities and lunch, according to Br. Damian Novello, the director of retreats at St. Anthony's and coordinator of the carnival.

Sweeney said Novello, who came to the school two years ago, deserves a great deal of credit for building the carnival into a success.

"I've been at other schools where we've done this and it gives students an awareness of what's out there in the greater world," said Novello.

Novello said the event provides a chance for students to give back and get involved. With the support of St. Anthony's, the carnival has taken off from it's humble roots.

"We had it outdoors with the track team working on it in 2009, said Sweeney. "In 2010, it was indoors with more kids working on it."

Parents say the event and its affect on the community is special. 

"It's a great way for the kids to come out and have fun with their families and it gives them a break from their everyday structure," said Vicky Regan of Northport, the mother of a special needs child.

Students said they enjoy participating.

"It's just fun," said a 16-year-old St. Anthony's female student while spending some time with some of the children at the event.

And in keeping with the intent of the Girl Scout Gold Award and St. Anthony's, it looks as though the event is here to stay.

Sweeney says her younger brother has taken over helping out with the event this year and her younger sister intends to volunteer next year as a St. Anthony's freshman.

"It get's better every year," said Sweeney.