WINONA LAKE — The sixth annual Block of Love event went on as scheduled despite Mother Nature’s insistence of bringing more rain to the area. As soon as the rain stopped and the sky cleared, people started heading to Canal Street to check out the fun.
The event also celebrated MudLove’s seventh year in business. Those attending were asked to make a $5 donation which went to Water for Good, a charity MudLove partners with to provide sustainable water access for those living in the Central African Republic.
Kristin Elesner, customer care team leader for MudLove, said prior to this year’s Block of Love, it was hoped 1,500 would attend. “If 1,000 people can make the $5 donation, the $5,000 goal (for the event), can be met,” she said.
MudLove Pottery is one of Water for Good’s most dedicated partner focused on getting clean water into the Central African Republic. In addition to providing wells, Water for Good also trains residents in well maintenance, education in sanitation and hygiene and introducing new techniques communities can use agriculture to combat nutritional issues as well as providing a source of income.
Block of Love offered fun for the entire family with a kids zone, face painting, soccer, T-shirt tagging, a giant Jenga game, cornhole, and a KCV Kids Bike Course.
There was also music from Isaac and the Darlings, Beyond Normal Sea, Plaxton & the Void and DJ Chuck Fry.
A marketplace features items other non-profit organizations such as Belove, Breath of Life Haiti, Foreveresta, Destiny Rescue, Shepherd Ministries, Water for Good and Fellowship Missions.
A nice variety of food trucks were also on hand offering a variety of tasty treats.
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- Zach and Zoe Hocking along with dad, John Hocking, drive a miniature drilling rig through the crowd at Block of Love
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- Chris Ritter of Mud Love inspects bricks from a gas kiln.
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- Lily Hocking models a balloon hat she made prior to the Block of Love event
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- Lily Hocking has a captive audience as several children watch her twist a balloon into an animal
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- Zoe Anweiler of MudLove uses three different colors to tag a T-shirt with the company logo
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- Alvin Devries and Jon Husiman look over wares at a ceramics booth during Block of Love
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- Adelle Schlotterback hand over a T-shirt to Zoe Anweiler of MudLove to be tagged
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- Noa Noa Woodgrill and Sushi was just one of the local restaurants that had a food truck at the Block of Love event.
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- Despite rain showers throughout the day, as soon as the skies cleared, people headed to Canal Street to check out the Block of Love event
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- In addition to an area for kids of all ages to work on their soccer skills, Block of Love also offered giant Jenga, cornhole and a KCV kids bike course
