MARYVILLE, Mo. — Hundreds of children spent Sunday afternoon immersed in their favorite warm-weather pastimes, all to benefit youth who may feel lonely at the hospital.

The second annual Celebration for Children drew families to the Northwest Missouri State University Outdoor Pavilion, where a carnival and other activities were set up to treat all tastes for fun.

The celebration was organized last year by the parents of Abrielle Neff, a 3-year-old who died in a 2007 motor-vehicle collision in Nodaway County. Ryan Sundermann received a six-year state prison sentence for a conviction of first-degree involuntary manslaughter in Abby’s death.

The best way to honor her memory, according to her mother, Brenda Neff, was to create an activity near the time of her June 9 birthday that families could enjoy.

“We just wanted one fund-raiser a year,” she said. “We wanted it to be kid- and family-friendly. This is kind of a fun thing to celebrate what you have.”

The roaming crowds had the opportunity to try their skills at a milk bottle toss, dunking tank, duck pond and other games. Several onstage entertainment acts at the pavilion helped round out the afternoon’s schedule.

Money raised from the celebration helps Abby’s Hugs — which buys coloring books, games and stuffed animals given to children at hospitals in Maryville, Albany, and Fairfax, Mrs. Neff said. It’s the foundation’s single largest project, she added.

The games of chance also help area schools create outdoor classrooms in a project dubbed Abby’s Gardens. A third area promotes education on and encourages organ donations.

Two of the many spectators had ties to Abby and her family and wanted to help the celebration prosper.

Brian Lynn, assistant principal of Eugene Field Elementary School in Maryville, remembers when Abby was a preschooler there.

“They’ve turned it into something to help kids,” he said of the Neff family.

Megan Frueh, of Pickering, was among neighbors who came to the accident scene to offer assistance.

“It just means a lot to see how many people she affected,” she said.

About 50 people donned special printed blue shirts to help the Neffs with the celebration.

A petting zoo is planned for the third Celebration for Children in 2010, Mrs. Neff said.

To make a contribution to the foundation, call (660) 562-9815 or (660) 927-3764. Or write to: Abrielle Neff Foundation, 16835 Icon Road, Pickering, MO 64476.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.