San Carlos’ Chickens’ Ball Makes Impact Amid Pandemic

SAN CARLOS, CA — A group that’s funded local cultural arts and education programs for more than 80 years found a way to help even amid the coronavirus crisis.

The San Carlos Chickens' Ball (CB) announced on Thursday that it had raised $17,000 for the San Carlos School District’s visual and performing arts programs.

The Chicken Balls’ typically raise money through performances in front of large gatherings, but the group had to cancel such events due to directives from the San Mateo County Health Department preventing such gathering events from happening.

But it raised money from sponsorships, converted donations of the (unpresented) shows' ticket sales and overwhelming support from CB’s cast and crew.

The group hopes to perform in 2022.

The group announced the donation at a San Carlos School District Board Zoom meeting during its Spotlight on Excellence segment.

“We are truly grateful for the Chickens’ Ball and everyone in it who helped make this contribution happen,” Superintendent Dr. Michelle Harmeier said in a statement.

“Every amount helps particularly now that we face an even greater challenge to our education budget. Furthermore, our principals and teachers will put this gift to good use.”

Before the COVID19 disruption, CB aimed to raise over $40K for the San Carlos public schools’ art and performance programs.

“We are pleased to present our schools with the amount of $17,000 despite the situation that we find ourselves in, and we remain grateful and hopeful for our community’s support of the Chickens’ Ball,” CB General Chair Mona Klein said in a statement.

“We are humbled by this experience and appreciate evermore the assistance of our cast and crew, and our neighbors and friends who worked tirelessly to make this contribution a reality.”

The future fundraising for CB is dependent upon the participation of new and continuing volunteers, and by the care and support of its community.

The San Carlos Chickens’ Ball was first realized by a former teacher at Central, Howard J. Demeke, who initially sought funding for “milk money” in 1939 during war times.

More information and show status can be found on the Chickens’ Ball website: www.chickensball.org, and sponsorship at www.chickensball.org/sponsor.

The Chickens' Ball is a biennial variety show presented by the San Carlos PTAs in collaboration with the San Carlos community.

The group’s goal is to raise money to support cultural and performing arts programs in all San Carlos public schools while building friendships and cooperation within the community.

The Chickens' Ball is the oldest running PTA fundraiser in the U.S., celebrating 80 years of community fellowship. For further information, email: 2020chairs@chickensball.org, or visit http://chickensball.org.