It's time to have some FUN and support a worthy cause on Saturday, October 26th!

All proceeds from our October 26th Events will go to help Jerry Bickford*, a Vietnam Veteran who lost everything in the May 22, 2019 killer tornado. It is a gratifying opportunity to get to help this humble man have a home again!

Join the "League of Extraordinary Divers with Sharp Instruments" at our 

Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest

9:30 - 11:30am

We'll open the pool at 9:30 - just bring a 10 inch or larger pumpkin (no pre-drawn lines or patterns) that has already been cleaned out and a $20 donation to Jerry Bickford. You can use our gear and carving tools or bring your own. Not a diver? You can use your snorkeling gear and carve in the shallow end! Carving must end at 11:30 for the judging. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places and for  Popular Choice - $1 per vote and you can vote on your own! All participants will receive a Mares keychain! After the dive, it will be time to chow down at the...

CREEPY BUFFET

Noon to 1:00pm

Try some Roasted Ribcage (hot dogs & smoked sausages),  Enticing Entrails (little smokies in BBQ), Buzzard Heads (Meatballs in sauce), Boar Flesh (pulled pork), Bat Eggs (baked beans), Minced Minions (potato salad), Pumpkin Puke (dip), and more! There's no charge, but YES you can make a free will donation to Jerry!

Kids' Halloween Party!

1:00 - 3:00pm

There will be game stations with Treats but no Tricks  and a Hallway of Horror, too! Costumes are welcome, but not required!

RSVP if you can, so we can have plenty of food & candies!

If you can't come, but want to help Jerry, bring by or mail a donation. Make your check out to Jerry Bickford, please, and mail it to: 

Jerry Bickford

c/o Calypso

1840 N Range Line Road

Joplin, MO 64801

*More information on Jerry Bickford below: 

Jerry Bickford is a Veteran of the United States Navy who served in Vietnam, and he went back to Vietnam with the Merchant Marines after his service in the Navy ended. He is an honorable man, and served as Commander of VFW Post 6415 (Jasper, MO) for three years before becoming Chaplin for the Post, a position he still holds. He acted as fill-in Pastor and then Pastor, for Zion Baptist Church, east of Jasper, MO and resided in the Parsonage next to the Church. However, since May 22nd of this year he has been in-and-out of the hospital, doing rehab, and unable to do his callings and fulfill his duties.

On that dreadful day, the anniversary of the Joplin Tornado, his world was turned upside down. Literally and completely. The Zion Baptist Church was damaged beyond repair and the Parsonage was obliterated. Jerry and his beloved dog, Babe, were in the Parsonage and had made a dive into a closet for shelter and when the killer storm laid waste to the property. There was virtually nothing left except for the foundation. Jerry and Babe were found and survived, but Jerry was terribly injured. The last five months have been a daily struggle to heal and regain strength. Jerry has always felt that his calling is to serve others, whenever and wherever needed. He believes that God still has work for him, and he is endeavoring to get back to his work for the Lord.

As he improves, he is dealing with the fact that he needs a home, yet his mini-van is just about all that he has left. His son and daughter-in-law have been his caretakers through the recovery process and he has been living with them. The final step to being whole will be for him to have a place to call home. Volunteers have been helping to build him a “tiny house” on some property he owns, but the cost of materials and professionals just keeps adding up.

ALL proceeds from our October 26 th Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, and ALL donations collected, will go to Jerry Bickford!