(Rolling Prairie, IN) - The Share Foundation’s 29th annual Leprechaun Hunt happened Sunday in Rolling Prairie. Thousands of people came out to enjoy the organization’s big fundraiser.
Nichole Blake is the new Director of Events at Sharing Meadows. She was thrilled with the response this year. People were lining up to get in over an hour before the event opened. “It’s a wonderful turnout,” she said. “I’ve poured the beer for the past ten years, so I’ve always seen it from that end. As soon as they opened the gates, it was like the flood gates were opened, and I’ve never seen that before, so that was really neat to see.”
Last year’s Leprechaun Hunt was affected a bit by rain, and the two years prior to that saw the event shut down due to the pandemic. This year the event added a magician and an animal safari demonstration. Over 2,200 tickets were sold, and, with a little luck of the Irish, the rains held off.
Sharing Meadows serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ranging from autism to traumatic brain injury. 28 residents currently live there.
One of those villagers is ever-so-friendly Mary McKenna. “I’ve been here eight years,” McKenna said, while wearing a festive green sequined bow. “I tell you what, I had no friends before I moved here, and I just enjoy it and love it.” McKenna came to Sharing Meadows from Michigan.
The Share Foundation was started by Fr. Dennis Blaney, who attended Sunday’s event. The popular leprechauns were his idea. “I still come out here fairly often,” Fr. Blaney said, munching on his favorite, famous Philippe Joseph ribs. “I enjoy the people that are living here, and they enjoy me.” Fr. Blaney has been a priest for 65 years and celebrates his 91st birthday this month.
