Block Parties — A Way to Make Money, Have Fun

October 1970

On July 25 the 6000 and 6100 blocks of Westminster held a block party. The event would be of no special significance except that its success could point the way to a new role for block organizations — fund-raising.

Without meaning to, the Westminster blocks made money on the party. Charging only for the beer, soda and hot dogs, the blocks made a profit of $73. Women brought home made potato salads, desserts and other delicious dishes all free. There was a spook house designed by the teenagers, a free magic show by an amateur magician, races, volleyball, dancing for the teenagers, bingo — no charge for any of it. However, if the blocks had so wished, a nominal charge for the booths, food and games could have made a healthy profit. (The captions on page describe some of the other activities.)

There were other intangible profits. EVERYONE in the block contributed their talents and got to know each other in the process. In this way the party resembled the old-fashioned pioneer barn-raising. The teenagers organized the spook house for the younger children, and some teenage girls got to see their first culinary efforts appreciated by the adults. The neighborhood nurse stood by to bandage knees. The magician displayed his talents to a group of fascinated children. All the children ran for prizes in the races — even the toddlers had a tricycle race. The ladies received well-deserved compliments on their food. The men manned the barbeque and supervised the race. In all it was a lovely day. Everyone went home feeling good about each other, the block and the neighborhood — a feeling rarely achieved in these days of fragmented city neighborhoods.

It was a day which could be duplicated in any block in the Skinker-DeBaliviere area. The Westminster experience could point the way to a method of community fund-raising that would have the virtues of making the blocks more ‘neighborly’, uniting people in a project and still making money which could then be turned over to such worthy community-wide projects as the day care center or the community school. Or how about a recreation center for teenagers with a paid staff? Sure, the money from the block parties would only be a drop in the bucket, but it would indicate a degree of community involvment which could attract larger contributions. Whatever project the blocks decided to adopt, we think the idea of fund-raising through block parties is worth a try.

How about it, block units? (If your block unit is interested call the chairman, Jim Mayberry, 863-7738, or Rich Bowe, 727-4893 for deteails on the organization of the block party.)