In College Center neverland, kids just won’t grow up

Mike Ilardi Staff Writer

One week back into classes and stress levels are already steadily rising. But Vassar’s anti-child abuse organization, Together Opposing Neglect and Child Abuse (TONCA), is offering its annual antidote to combat the difficulties of second semester, along with a chance to help a good cause.

Vassar’s 28th I Won’t Grow Up Day (IWGUD) will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 12-4 p.m. in the College Center. According to TONCA co-Chair Allison Edgren ’08, IWGUD is a free and public event created by Julie Riess ’87 to “bridge the gap between Vassar College and its surrounding community.”

Riess is currently Professor of Education and Psychology and Director of the Mildred R. Wimpfheimer Nursery School.

IWGUD will provide a number of opportunities for students to indulge in childhood delights, including a bouncy castle, petting zoo, sand art and finger painting. There will also be performances from the Barefoot Monkeys and various a cappella groups, including the Vastards, Vassar Devils and Measure 4 Measure.

Parents can enjoy the day with their children, taking advantage of the family photo booth and the astronomy majors’ planetarium presentation. TONCA is also in the process of collaborating with the varsity men and women’s soccer teams to host ongoing soccer games on the Library lawn. “We’re continually trying to change IWGUD for the better while also keeping the old favorites,” said co-Chair Wendy Leung ’08.

Professor of Earth Science Jill Schneiderman remembered that the “Barefoot Monkeys give a really fun performance,” at last year’s event and that IWGUD is always “welcoming to people in the community.”

“It’s a great event for the kids…[the] students are ready for anything,” said Earth Science and Geography Department’s Geographic Information System Laboratory Specialist Meg Stewart.

Schneiderman and Stewart’s daughter, seven-year-old Tillie Stewart Schneiderman, decided that her favorite past activity was “probably the slime,” an activity in which participants created and played with a green, gooey substance.

In addition to providing activities with a childhood focus, TONCA uses IWGUD as a fundraiser for the Poughkeepsie Child Abuse Prevention Center.

“Throughout the day we will collect donations, and all proceeds will go to the…Center,” said Edgren. By giving back to this locally-based organization, the IWGUD attendees will be directly benefiting abused and neglected youth of Poughkeepsie and the surrounding Hudson Valley.

TONCA is active during the entire academic year and hosts many other events to promote campus interaction with the community. This year, the organization’s functions have included screening classic childhood movies, as well as bringing local children onto the campus to trick-or-treat on Halloween. Additionally, TONCA co-sponsored “a benefit dinner to raise awareness about children affected by AIDS in America and worldwide,” said Edgren.

So, whether you go for the slime or the good cause, head over to the College Center for a fun afternoon on April 5.