POTSDAM – Children learned the importance of helping others while having a great time with their parents and friends during Fall Fun Fest recently held at the Pine Street Arena.

More than 350 North Country parents enjoyed quality time with their children, while also teaching them the importance of promoting quality non-profits during the day-long event featuring more than 40 volunteers from SUNY Potsdam, Building Blocks Daycare and the Potsdam Humane Society.

Door ticket proceeds benefited the Humane Society.

Proceeds from food and coupon sales benefited Building Blocks’ building campaign as the non-profit daycare seeks to construct a new facility.

Building Blocks kicked off a capital campaign during the inaugural event to raise money for construction of a new facility. The daycare’s lease on the building expires in May 2013. Building Blocks and the Humane Society co-sponsored Fall Funfest, an inaugural event, held in the ice skating rink during which children met Cinderella, favorite book feline the Cat in The Hat and superheroes Spiderman and Superman.

Children also frolicked in the bounce house, completed the obstacle course, got their faces painted or stood mesmerized by the talented canines performing acrobatic tricks.

Parents received an extra layer of security thanks to the Masons, who produced free personal identification cards and fingerprinting kits for each child.