By Jake Greco
Pine Island PTO hosted an event called “Craft Like a Pirate” on September 27, 2023, allowing PIA students and family painted and decorated pirate chests.
During the event, artists from Pinspiration lead students to paint their chest to take home. Participants were able to customize your chest with different colored paints, letters to spell out your name, pompoms and oceanic animal stickers.
“I brought my kids here and they had the time of their lives,” one parent said, “they were so happy during the whole event.”
Kids formed lines to get in and start their creations. Participants from ages two to 10 had giant smiles across their face during the whole event while they painted away. The personalized treasure chests were the highlight of the evening. Allowing guests to craft and decorate their own chests adds a personal touch to the evening and ensures that everyone goes home with a unique and meaningful souvenir. Before the event, parents were able to buy pizza that was given out during the event, and there were volunteers helping in every area of the event from schools like Ponte Vedra High and Nease, to get service hours, along with creative and eager kids ready to paint their masterpieces.
“This was a really fun event and was really enjoying,” said fifth grader Jaxson Greco, “if they do this event again in the future, I would love to go again and see how my art skills have improved.”
No matter how old the kids taking part were, they still left with beaming smiles on their faces, and it looks as if they had decorated chests to bring home and show all their friends and family. Pirate-themed photo opportunities to capture the fun and excitement of the evening. Everyone who went, whether it was parents, kids, PTO members or volunteers had an amazing time all thanks to the time the PTO spent to plan the event.
“The volunteers at this event were crucial to its success.” Said president of the PTO, Brittany Barron, “thank you to all of the students and parent volunteers who helped make this possible.”