Mothers club sponsors Halloween party

The gymnasium at North Aurora's Fearn Elementary School transformed into a chamber of fun Sunday as the North Aurora Mothers Club hosted about 350 children and their parents for a Halloween party.

The costumed children played games, snacked on cupcakes and candy, and received prizes at the club's annual party, now in its ninth year.

Amid reports Friday that a student at the far west side school had a staph infection, workers went to extraordinary lengths to clean the building to ensure the party could safely proceed.

"It doesn't seem as though the turnout was affected," Mothers Club President Susan Campbell said.

Indeed, the gymnasium walls reverberated with the sounds of children at play.

Costumes ranged from the traditional vampires and ghouls to the well-worn superheroes like Spiderman, Superman and Batman, to more esoteric space aliens, dinosaurs and unnamed creatures.

"I like the scary decorations," said Ryan Bergsieker, 6, wearing a dark alien robe.

Becky Klitzkie watched as her daughter Joslyn, 5, and son Parker, 20 months, played a beanbag toss game. Joslyn was resplendent in a white bride's dress, while Parker appeared as Nemo the fish.

Mothers Club member Jessica Watkins supervised the only activity that involved sitting down: coloring pictures.

"We have the coloring so the moms and dads can sit down and take a break," Watkins said, grinning. "I think it's more popular with the parents."

The children wore tags around their necks, which Mothers Club members running the games punched each time a child participated in an activity. Getting the tag punched 12 times meant the child was eligible for a toy or game.

Mothers Club member Dawn Cozzoni handed out the prizes, which were donated by local merchants including Claire's Accessories, McDonald's, A&W, Steak 'n Shake and Target.

"I love it, seeing all the cute costumes," Cozzoni said.

The Mothers Club is a philanthropic organization. At the door to the Halloween party, toy and food donations were being collected for the club's "Operation Christmas," which provides gifts and a traditional meal for less fortunate families in the community.

The Mothers Club has about 50 members, and is looking to expand, Campbell said, noting that a person doesn't need to be a mom to join.

"We'd love to have people check us out," she said. "We're looking for anyone who wants to help make a difference."