CHERRY TWP — Games, raffles, food and a downright menagerie greeted the families who attended the annual Creepers and Crawlers Community Day on Saturday evening at Moniteau Junior-Senior High School.

The event is the annual fundraiser for the school's Creepers and Crawlers Club, a unique high school group that takes in and cares for a wide range of animals.

Science teacher Adele McFadden started the club 10 years ago and oversees it today, but the students in her Creepers and Crawlers club take care of the parrots, snakes, tortoise, rats and other animals that live in McFadden's classroom until they are taken home by students for school breaks.

“These kids might not fit into other areas, like sports, but they love animals,” McFadden said.

Community Day sees hundreds of area residents young and old come to the high school to visit a gymnasium lined with various animals from the club as well as a few pets brought in by vendors, club members or McFadden herself.

The event raises from $1,000 to $2,000, which is used to feed and care for the animals in McFadden's classroom.

Briawna Cookson, a sophomore and president of the club, said many of the exotic animals were surrendered to the club from owners who no longer wanted them.

“Some of the snakes can live for up to 30 years,” Briawna said. “A lot of people get them, then they're like, 'I don't want this anymore.'”

She said caring for the animals is fun, but a lot of hard work. Club members must research each new animal's native habitat and try to replicate it, she said.

“It taught me a lot about morals and taking care of others,” Briawna said.

Makenna Hemphill, 9, enthusiastically petted a hognose snake and a pied ball python being held by club member Madison Fitzgerald.

“They're really cool,” said Makenna. “I like how they look and feel.”

She appreciated the whole event as well.

“It's really amazing that little kids can see the animals they don't have and play games at the same time,” Makenna said.

Mason Edgington, 7, enjoyed petting the huge red-tail boa constrictor named José that his stepmom displayed as part of the Tasow exotic animal rescue.

“It's slimy,” he said of José. “I'm not afraid of him because he's nice.”

Mason admitted his favorite animal at the event was Henry the tortoise, which belongs to the Creepers and Crawlers Club.

Madilyn Myers came to community day with her mother, Julie. She enjoyed seeing and touching all the exotic animals, and some not-so-exotic ones.

“My favorite is the dogs,” she said.

Julie Myers said the event teaches children they don't have to be afraid of the exotic animals — but they do have to be careful.

“It's awesome,” Myers said. “It's a great opportunity for the community to come see things they wouldn't normally see.”

Emma McAnallen, 11, saw the animals in one side of the Moniteau gym, but spent most of her time playing games in the other side.

“I hate snakes,” Emma stated.

She won a ball and a large bottle of soda by playing dart toss.

Her brother, Liam Allison, 9, made a horrified face at the mention of the variety of snakes on the other side of the partition.

“Eww, I don't like snakes at all,” Liam said.

He appreciated the school district allowing the event in the gym on Saturday.

“I think it was pretty nice of them,” he said.

The pair's mother, Heather Allison, also appreciated the Creepers and Crawlers Community Day.

“It's something nice the community is doing,” she said. “It's inexpensive and family oriented.”