Clarkstown Outdoor Shopping Extravaganza Benefits Make-A-Wish

The Second Annual Clarkstown Outdoor Shopping Extravaganza takes over Germonds Park in West Nyack on Saturday for an all day event running from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. There will be plenty to keep everyone busy with entertainment, food and vendors. 

Susan Solar, a social worker at South, co-founded the Extravaganza last year with Laura Goodman, a psychologist at South. Solar said a total of $3,000 was raised and donated last year. She said this year the event is in the running for the $5,000 grand prize from MSG Varsity Charity Champions’ competition. For submitting a proposal for the fundraiser to MSG, they will be receiving a $1,000 check on Saturday from State Senator David Carlucci who will be presenting on behalf of the Charity Challenge.

At least 25 vendors selling clothes, jewelry, toys, home products, food are expected. They include Tastefully Simple, Tie-Dye Earth, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, Silpada, Lulu Cakes, Beading Buddies, You've Been Fleeced, Organo Coffee, Diva Glitz, Nerium, Polar Pops, Tupperware, Ginger Blonde Cupcakes. School sports teams, clubs and organizations - the PTSA, Grad Night, the Spirit program, South Golf team, South boys and girls Lacrosse, South Baseball team, North Football - will also have team merchandise for sale and raffle tickets.

Most of the funds raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation come from the $50 fee each vendor pays.  Clubs and organizations that sell items as fundraisers also make donations.

The South Spirit Dancers will perform throughout the day along with the North Rampagers, South Troubadors and Boys Hip Hop Club. DJ Alice Leon will begin playing music at 11 a.m. Solar said a student DJ and student bands will also entertain. There will be facepainting and a special appearance by the Rockland Boulders' mascot Boulder Bird.

Solar said the event is larger than the first one because it includes North High School and Felix Festa Middle School.

“Our big goal was to have all the different assets of the school together,” she said.

It is a school and community effort with 50 to 60 volunteers from Clarkstown South and North high schools and Festa Middle School helping. The Assets Leadership Team organized the Extravaganza with the assistance of Clarkstown North High School, Felix Festa Middle School and the Clarkstown Community Task Force.

Solar hopes the expanded event means they will raise more than $5,000.  She said the average “wish” for Make-A-Wish recipients costs between $5,000 and $6,000.

Make-A-Wish is the nation’s largest wish-granting organization that grants “the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

Solar said it would be meaningful for the students to know they raised enough money to fulfill a child’s dream on their own.  If they are successful, Solar said Make-A-Wish may send a representative to a future event to let the students know what Wish they were able to make reality.

Solar hopes that happens.

“It’s so real for the kids then,” said Solar. “I just think it gives the kids more of the personal connection. They see the results of their work.”

There is a raindate of Saturday, May 4 but Solar said they do not expect to need it as “it is going to be beautiful on Saturday.”