Residents deliver funds raised at annual block party to charities in memory of neighbors

Residents of Sylvan Pl. presented the funds they raised at their annual holiday block party on Dec. 20 to two separate charities on Jan. 31.

The group raised $1,670, which they split between two funds connected with two residents of the block who died recently, Chris Schroeder and Michael Smith.

The proceeds were collected in a donation box during the event, which features 35 of the street’s homes “decorated to the hilt,” according to resident Sheryl Kushnick-Carr, who helps organize the event with her husband, Alex Carr.

The proceeds represented a huge increase over last year’s take of $990, Carr said. The South High School Chris Schroeder Scholarship Fund received $835 and the same amount went to the Anchor Program Fund, which benefits Camp ANCHOR, where Smith attended and which three other residents of the block are currently involved with.

Kushnick-Carr estimated that about half of the money raised came from residents of the block, while the rest was donated by others who come from surrounding areas and from outside the village to participate.

The block party takes place on the Saturday before Christmas each year. It’s been going on for roughly 30 years.