Carla Clark | For The Republic Bryan O’Neal, Dennis O’Neal, Jerry Grider and Jenna Ortega visit during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride &Community Day generated $6,000 Saturday for the Emma Grace Foundation for a variety of children’s causes and for first responders.
The first-time event at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds included a two-and-a-half hour ride dominated by motorcycles and Jeeps, raffles and door prizes, children’s games, a cake walk, face painting, balloon animals, a magic show, vendors, Disney princesses and more.
The foundation was formed after the death last year of 2-year-old Emma Sweet “to help children and families thrive to be the best they can and give each child and family an opportunity to grow, be part of events, and have joy no matter their struggle,” according to the website at emma-gracefoundation.square.site, where donations still are being accepted.
Melodee Hand, the child’s grandmother, said the family and organizers were thrilled with the turnout and the money raised, especially, they said, in light of other events unfolding last weekend.
“I was overwhelmed with the attendance, and the generosity — and everybody was just wonderful,” Hand said, adding that next year’s event already is in the planning stages.
She said organizers would like to see the gathering grow each year.
“I hope so,” Hand said. “I certainly hope so.”
The late Emma Sweet is being remembered by family and friends.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Charlie Roberts and Allyson Ashwood meet the Disney Princesses, Snow White, Belle and Elsa during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Collette Huck looks at her reflection after her face is painted at the Big Top Production booth during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic After getting their faces painted, children line up for temporary tattoos at the Big Top Productions booth during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Food trucks and games during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Heather Downin, Santa, Kelly Sullivan, Melissa Carothers and Savanna Moss at the Toys For Tots booth during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Emcee John Overshiner and Melodee Hand, with Santa looking on, announce the names of the winners for one of the drawings during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Keegan Settle gets some help from Osie Kuhn as he reaches for plastic ducks during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Luke Smith and Elijah Sweet play the toilet paper toss game during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Blaiden Shepherd kicks the oversized inflated soccer ball during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022 Carla Clark | For The Republic
Carla Clark | For The Republic Bentley Sweet, at left, has his card marked after playing a game during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Lila Cecil and Hadley Cecil eat ice cream bars during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Karen Dutro throws her hands in the air after she wins at the ring toss game during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride & Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Faigrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Grace Barkes, standing in back, Kaitlin White, and Alice Pisom at the lemonade and popcorn booth during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Farigrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic A sign during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The RepublicThe Texas Roadhouse booth with their mascot Andy Armadillo during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Vendors and their booths during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Bryan O’Neal, Dennis O’Neal, Jerry Grider and Jenna Ortega visit during Emma’s Birthday Giveback Ride and Community Day to remember the late Emma Sweet held at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 27, 2022.
