JEFFERSON TWP — The annual HIS Kids Christian School fundraiser on Saturday offered something fun for everyone.

Michelle Morgan, HIS Kids school board president, said the annual Spring BASH (Building a Spiritual Heritage) has been held at the school on Saxonburg Road for about 15 years.

Joyful noise rang throughout the school’s lobby, cafeteria/gymnasium, front hallway, kitchen and back lawn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as young and old alike found something interesting, delicious or irresistible to buy or bid on.

The front hallway was lined with 75 raffle baskets.

Morgan said each classroom decided on a theme and put together a basket based on that theme, while other baskets were donated by the families of students or former students.

Generous local companies donated baskets, and the vendors lining the cafeteria/gym all donated at least one item to be raffled, Morgan said.

The Mystery Tool Raffle and Mystery Purse Raffle saw bidders buying raffle tickets for high end tools or a designer purse stuffed full of items, but the exact item is unknown until it is won.

A Blackstone flat-top grill was purchased by the school using funds donated by the BASH sponsors, Morgan said. The grill was raffled for $5 per ticket.

Sprankles Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg donated a large Millennium Falcon Lego kit in recognition of Saturday’s date, when many Star Wars fans can be heard repeating “May the Fourth be with you.”

Children’s activities at the event also embraced the Star Wars connection, with a mini light saber-building station and a photo booth with Star Wars-themed props.

Other children’s activities included face painting, coloring pages, and a petting zoo by Goodness Grows Farm of Jefferson Township.

Children also could get a passport upon entering and have it stamped at eight locations throughout the school. Those who turned in a passport with all the stamps were entered to win a summer fun basket, Morgan said.

Among the 18 vendors in the cafeteria/gym were those selling jewelry, soaps and lotions, Christian-themed home décor, cotton candy and Tupperware.

A plant sale outside the school saw basil, spinach, radish, tomato, lavender, zinnia and lupine seedlings for sale that were grown from seed by HIS Kids students in grades 3 through 6.

Morgan said The Sylvania Foundation in West Sunbury donated the school’s greenhouse 3 years ago, and partners with the school in STEAM projects.

BASH also offered yummy food and snacks, as the school’s booster parents dished up hot dogs, pizza, nachos and other fare on Saturday. They also held a bake sale.

One vendor selling jewelry was Knoch High School freshman Isabelle Parisi, who offered earrings, key chains, necklaces, rings and other items she made herself.

“I like how social it is and how everyone is super kind,” Isabelle said of BASH, “and I like to see what other vendors are here.”

April Watson brought her young daughters from Upper Burrell Township, Westmoreland County.

Watson once worked as a teacher at HIS Kids, where both her daughters are students.

“We came to support the school and the girls always have a lot of fun,” she said.

Alayna Watson, a kindergartner at HIS Kids, bought a stuffed bunny, necklace and bracelet on Saturday, while her big sister, Cheyenne, a third grader, opted for a shiny blue purse with a pearl handle.

Cheyenne also demonstrated the kindness lessons she learns at HIS Kids.

“She got all of us something, and with her own money,” April Watson said.

Dylan McDougal, a HIS Kids sixth grader, said he appreciates attending a smaller school, where everyone knows one another.

Dylan, who has attended the school since kindergarten, also looks forward to the BASH every year.

“I hang out with my friends,” he said.

Chelsea Coleman, also a sixth grader at the school, likes the flexibility in the schedule that is used at HIS Kids.

She said she spent much of BASH on the playground hanging out with her friends, but she understands the reasons for the annual celebration.

“It’s important to raise money for the school and it gives (vendors) the ability to sell items,” Chelsea said.

Kalyn Cornetti, a HIS Kids fourth grader, said her favorite thing about attending the school is “helping out.”

She enjoyed BASH for the same reason.

“I like to serve food,” Kalyn said.

Morgan said BASH brought in about $20,000 for the school last year. The funds are used to offset teacher salaries, and for building and grounds maintenance.

“We can keep our class size small without raising tuition,” Morgan said.