MANSFIELD – Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services is spreading a wealth of holiday joy this year with its annual Christmas Carnival benefiting local families.
The local wealth management firm hosted its ninth-annual Christmas Carnival on Saturday at the Richland County Fairgrounds, where more than 400 children attended for food, games and prizes. The event is hosted entirely by Pinnacle, along with company founder William Heichel and his family.
“Our company and our family started it nine years ago in lieu of sending chocolate to our clients,” said Jennifer Henderson, Heichel’s daughter and current CEO of Pinnacle. “Instead, we now hold this and spend our money towards this carnival.”
Henderson explained that the carnival hosts 10 total United Way agencies for two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The agencies include the Salvation Army, Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Big Brothers Big Sister, the Domestic Violence Shelter, and Harmony House.
“Once the kids are here we have 21 games and prizes, a gift from Santa that every kid gets, lunch, and some line dancing at the end,” Henderson said. “We try to make it as fun as possible.”
The carnival is certainly a family affair for the Heichels. For 16-year-old Madison Heichel, she first started attending the carnival when she was seven years old.
“It’s one of my favorite things, I look forward to it every year,” Heichel said. “It’s amazing to see all the happy faces and see that they’re having such a fun time. It makes me feel warm.”
Growing up with the carnival, Heichel remembers playing the games and interacting with the children in attendance when she was younger. Now, she’s grown to appreciate the event on a different level.
“It’s definitely changed over the years, and now that I’m older I really understand what this is,” Heichel said. “Now I’m actually able to help the kids and actually give them their Christmas.”
As the current Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen, Heichel has also involved her pageant family in the Christmas Carnival. This year’s Miss Ohio Alice Magoto was in attendance on Saturday.
“A week after I was crowned Madison’s mom told me to put this on my calendar,” Magoto said with a laugh. “And now I totally understand why; this is absolutely phenomenal. The kids are so excited to be here.”
According to Henderson, the entire Christmas Carnival was started with the intent of giving back to the local community. It’s a lesson not lost on Heichel and Magoto.
“I’ve always been taught to give back to my community, and this is such a great way to do it,” Heichel said.
“Giving is such a fundamental aspect of Christmas,” added Magoto. “It’s not about the presents, it’s about being with your people and your community, and this totally exemplifies that.”
