Moms’ Council brings Halloween and other holiday fun

Holidays are made for children — for their amazement and delight — and are the perfect opportunity to build camaraderie within a community, to turn neighbors into friends. Darol Rodrock knew this, from the very beginning of his highly respected 35-plus year career. And so it’s for this reason in the early 1980s he created the one-of-a-kind Moms’ Council.

A fantastic array of family-friendly activities are planned thanks to the Council, including spring egg hunts, Memorial weekend pool-opening parties, July 4th bike-a-thons, and pumpkin-carving contests, depending upon the community. Such gatherings forge friendships and build a true sense of togetherness, which resonates deeply with families.

“As a former high school educator and wrestling coach, Darol saw the Moms’ Council concept as a way to help his new neighborhoods get off to a great start,” said Brenda Sanders, president of Rodrock & Associates, Realtors. “Darol’s idea was to encourage community volunteers to help plan year-round community activities where new homeowners could come together, get to know each other and have fun.”

Jessica Jasa first learned about the Moms’ Council when looking for a new home in 2013. “We were looking for a home in a neighborhood with a sense of community and close-knit neighbors, both of which we found in Stonebridge Meadows. The idea of a Moms’ Council to bring neighbors together on a regular basis is one way to foster that sense of community in a meaningful way.”

Rodrock’s motto “Building Better Communities” is more than a slogan; it’s a personal promise that’s served as a key impetus behind the more than 80 successful communities he’s created over the years in Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Shawnee, west Shawnee and Stilwell.

And part of building better communities includes celebrating life’s favorite moments, such as Halloween. There is something so inherently joyful about this time of year and so much of that delight stems from the excitement kids — both big and small — feel for the promise of costumes, candy, fun and frights.

“Our kids love any excuse for a party, but our favorite events would probably be the Halloween event and the Holiday Sleigh Ride,” Jasa said. “Halloween night can be so busy; this is a great way to celebrate together in advance of the big night.”

To ring in this most favorite season, Rodrock Development is excited to announce its third annual Cutest Kid Halloween Photo Contest, where the grand-prize winner gets no tricks but all treats — namely $1,000 in cash. The contest is a partnership between the Rodrock Development Moms’ Council and The Kansas City Star, an idea designed to extend the celebration of childhood’s favorite holiday.

“The lighthearted contest is one more way the Rodrock Development Moms’ Council seeks to bring people and communities together,” Sanders said.

Last year’s contest — in only its second year — garnered some 214 submissions and 1,460 enthusiastic voters weighing in on their favorite costumed kiddo some 1,729 times. When all was said and done, the winner was an adorable, wee Little Red Riding Hood and her Big Bad Wolf brother romping down a trail. This most precious of moments garnered one family an easy $1,000 in cash.

To submit your favorite photo, visit KansasCity.com/contests and click on the Rodrock Development Cutest Kid Contest icon; a link is also provided at Rodrock.com. Photo submissions can be uploaded online from Oct. 20 through Nov. 5, 2015. Online voting will take place from Nov. 3 through Nov. 5. The photo that receives the most online votes, in conjunction with votes from a panel of judges, will earn the $1,000 cash prize.

The winner will be determined on Nov. 6 and announced the week of Nov. 9 in The Kansas City Star, as well as online at KansasCity.com/contests and on Rodrock Development’s website and Facebook page. Contact Tonya Morton at 816-234-4703 or tmorton@kcstar.com for more information.

“What child doesn’t enjoy playing dress up?” asked Jared Webb, of The Star. “This contest was so successful in years past because it touches upon the childhood joy of pretend and dress-up and because parents and grandparents love taking pictures of their kids and sharing those pictures with others. This photo contest is no different, and the fantastic prize money is a huge draw.”

In all that he does, Rodrock is committed to building communities filled with not just houses, but homes. And nothing makes this grandfather and former teacher and coach happier than knowing these homes are filled with families flourishing in a close-knit community that is filled with memories in the making.

Visit Rodrock.com for more information.

This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Moms’ Council brings Halloween and other holiday fun."