The Rancho Pediatric Day Carnival was held Saturday, Sept. 11 in the JPI backlot at Rancho. Several hundred kids played games, enjoyed face painting and balloons, got a free lunch (thanks to the Downey Kiwanis Foundation) and enjoyed an array of animals from turtles to exotic snakes. The Rancho youth wheelchair sports team played basketball with members of the Downey Fire Department. Jonathan Alvarenga, a Rancho patient who is a member of the Don Knabe Pediatric Arts Program, served as the MC. The Pediatric Carnival is a key part of the renowned Rancho Pediatrics program at Rancho. Julie Helgren chaired the event as she has for the last 26 years. The Downey Optimist Club donated & blew up thousands of balloons for the event. Although virtually every service club made contributions to the event, the primary event funding was provided by the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation. ********** Published: September 16, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 22