Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1331056
10 UCW JANUARY 20-26, 2021 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM One community at a time — Kiwanis working to help others around the nation, world Kiwanis of West St Andrew spreads holiday cheer In the spirit of good cheer and unwavering commitment to serving, the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew held its annual Christmas din- ner for seniors of the Red Hills Golden-Agers Citizens Association in Red Hills, St Andrew, in December. Scores of senior citizens gathered at the meeting hall at the Red Hills Basic School were treated to a Christmas dinner. Over 100 golden agers benefited from the charity effort, including deliveries made to shut-ins in sur- rounding areas. Expanding its Christmas activities, the club reached out to other charities, delivering dozens of Christmas cakes to Missionaries of the Poor's e Lord's Place, the Andrew Par- ish Church Home for Girls, and the Salvation Army-run Nest Children's Home. KCWSA President Courtney Morgan noted that despite the challenges of the novel coro- navirus pandemic this year, the 41-year-old children's charity remains steadfast in its goal of impacting the lives of the vulnerable, espe- cially the children. "Events such as these open up opportunities to touch lives with love and generosity, even during the coronavirus pandemic, with all its setbacks. We wholeheartedly embrace spread- ing Christmas cheer, particularly during this time, " he said. (Courtesy Jamaica Observer, Kingston, Jamaica) Kiwanis scholarships available e Kiwanis Club of West Racine will award four scholarships for $1,500 each to senior students in Racine public and private high schools graduating in 2021. e Kiwanis Club of West Racine contributes more than $44,000 annually back into the com- munity. A major emphasis of the club is help- ing with projects that support children. (Courtesy e Journal Times, Racine Wisconsin) Kiwanis Club of Pembroke celebrates successful Toy Drive e Kiwanis Club of Pembroke recently completed the 2020 version of its Toy and Food Drive and co-chairmen Mack rasher and Jay McLaren are thrilled to report that in spite of COVID-19 restrictions, the campaign was a great success. As a result of the pandemic, volunteers could not be stationed at many of the usual retail lo- cations asking the public for support. Instead, a virtual appeal was made where supporters could mail cheques to the Kiwanis Club or do e-transfers to the special Toy and Food Drive account. is also included a virtual telethon featuring local entertainers and interviews with Kiwanis Club members. e result was donations of in excess of $29,000. e drive helped to support 81 fami- lies and provide toys for 179 children. Once the toy purchases have been tallied, the surplus will be distributed to St. Joseph's Food Bank, St Vincent du Paul and e Grind. is project is totally operated by volunteers and with the exception of advertising costs, 100 per cent of money donated goes to families in need. (Courtesy the Pembroke Observer and News Belleville Intelligencer, Ontario, Canada) University Kiwanis Club breaks ground on inclusive playground e University Kiwanis Club recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new inclusive play-ground for children ages 2 to 5 at the city- owned University Kiwanis Park on Southwest Park-way, a club official said. University Kiwanis members still needs to raise about $23,000 for the $200,000 project, said Mary Rhoads of the University Kiwanis Club. "But our club is committed to moving for- ward with the construction of this inclusive playground for young children," she said. Construction of the playground began in early January and is anticipated to be complet- ed by the end of February, Rhoads said. University Kiwanis Club members entered the Legacy of Play 2020 competition earlier this year in hopes of winning $25,000 for the project, she said. e contest is sponsored by Kiwanis Interna- tional and Landscape Structures Inc., accord- ing to play.kiwanis.org. e local entry failed to make the top ten entries by 107 votes and did not advance to the finals, but University Kiwanis Club members forged ahead with fundraising and plan to use $100,000 from their club's reserve fund. e new playground will include features for children with autism and children with devel- opmental challenges. Equipment will contain sensory elements and age-appropriate physi- cal challenges, as well as interactive play. e new playground will be built next to the existing playground for children ages 5 through 12 so that parents can supervise both ages of children at once, according to the club. (Courtesy Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas) NEWS DIGEST