Up & Coming Weekly

Garden Party to Benefi t the Boys and Girls Club A few years ago the Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County was fi ghting to stay in existence. Serving only a handful of children then, over the past four years the organization has remade itself and has grown its number in an amazing fashion. The club is now serving more than 840 youth between the ages of 5 and 18. They’ve gone about it quietly, preferring to let their programs speak for themselves. With purse strings tightening up around the country, the organization has had to take a closer look at its funding. Today, they are providing top-notch quality services on a shoe string, but their grants are drying up, so community organizers have jumped in to try and help the club not only raise funds, but raise awareness of its programs in the community. Heading that fi ght, is Jenny Beaver, and a group of volunteers who see what the club has to offer the children of the community. “When they came to me and asked me to help raise funds for the clubs, I was really excited,” said Beaver. That was before she was given her mission. “They said they wanted to raise $30,000 and they wanted to do it by the end of spring,” said Beaver. “That was a little overwhelming.” But Beaver, and her group of dedicated volunteers, started thinking and came up with what they believe is going to be a hugely successful event. “Every year they have a Garden Party at Airlie Gardens in Wilmington,” explained Beaver. “It’s always a huge event, but it’s more about being seen than anything else. We thought it would be great to have a garden party that would really bring a lot of fun to the community, and we thought there couldn’t be a better way to do that than to tie it to the Dogwood Festival, and the board was gracious enough to accept us as one of its sanctioned events.” Scheduled for Friday, April 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at Cross Creek Park on Green Street, the event promises to be a great way to kick-off the Dogwood weekend. The outdoor venue will welcome guests in sundresses (and garden hats) and seersucker suits into a fl ower-fi lled atmosphere (rain or shine). Local businesses are sponsoring the event, and all proceeds will support the local Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County. Beaver said the goal of the event is “fun.” The adult-only event will kick-off with a fully catered barbecue luncheon, and will feature Chris Hurst on the acoustic guitar and The Rubberband Band, a Raleigh-based band that plays music from the ‘70s, ‘80s, Motown and Beach music. Additionally, The Pope Air Force Base Honor Guard will perform as well. Mayor Tony Chavonne, who is a product of the Boys and Girls Club, will speak at the event. “We think this will be a great way to get the Dogwood Festival started,” said Beaver. “We are asking people to take a half day off work, while their kids are still in school, and come down and share this great afternoon with us.” Wine and beer will be served at the event, and are included in the price of the ticket. Tickets are $75 per person and cover all events throughout the afternoon. For more information, visit the Web site at www. ccbgc.org. Hay Day for Missions and Ministries Invites Festival Goers to Take a Break from the Sun and Relax Each year during the Dogwood Festival, Hay Street United Methodist Church offers a variety of entertainment, food and fundraising events both on Friday night and Saturday of the festival. Of course Sunday offers up the traditional worship service at 11 a.m. and a 7 p.m. service, “Sunday Night Live,” which is a more informal blended worship service. Friday night’s festivities kick off at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall, with the sounds of Christian Jazz artist, Kia Walker, and her Troubadour Project, attendees enjoy the various food and drink options that are available while taking in the music. On Saturday at 7 p.m., stop by and hear In One Accord from Haymount United Methodist Church as they perform in the sanctuary. On Saturday from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Hay Street UMC will focus on providing food and activities for families with children. The youth group will have a sand art booth as well. Weather conditions permitting, most of these events will be held outside on the church lawn. However, the rain location will be inside the church fellowship hall. Before heading out on Saturday, be sure to swing by and catch the Pocketbooks for Books sale which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This project sells gently used pocketbooks in order to raise money to provide books for the “Hand in Hand” tutoring program at Margaret Willis Elementary School. At all times during the festival, access to the church building is free of charge, although each separate event may have an individual charge for specifi c activities, food, drinks, snacks and merchandise. All money collected will be used to support the mission or ministry highlighted at each event. There’s much more, so be sure to stop by and come inside for a break from the sun. Hay Street United Methodist Church is located at the intersection of Hay Street and Ray Avenue, in the heart of the Dogwood Festival footprint. For more information, contact the church by calling 483-2343 or visit the Web site at www.haystreetchurch.org. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM APRIL 24-26, 2009 DOGWOOD FESTIVAL 5

• Cover