|
Our Work in the Community
|
Special Olympics Bowling
On Friday, September 21, you could hear lots of bowling pins dropping if you were driving by Warpath Lanes. Over 100 Special Olympics athletes participated and competed in the annual Special Olympics Bowling competition. At least one athlete averaged 150 points, which means that he hit more than a few strikes and spares. Tim Hall and Scott Linn did a great job getting everything organized. The Lions Club deserves special recognition and thanks as well as several students and teachers who volunteered from Dobyns-Bennett High School.
Church Circle Nativity Scene
A Christmas tradition for over 40 years, the annual display of the nativity scene figures in historic Church Circle is a project of the Kingsport Jaycees. An anonymous donation made possible the purchase of these figures with the goal of reminding everyone about the true meaning of Christmas as they were busily shopping downtown Kingsport. These life-size figures consist of three camels with riders, a donkey, a bull, sheep, shepherds, wise men, and the holy family. Repairs have been made through the years to the fragile fiberglass figures through partnerships with the D-B Art Department and the Kingsport Art Guild. The figures are put on display on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and stay on display until the first Sunday after New Year's Day.
Another Christmas tradition for over 40 years, the Kingsport Jaycees sponsor the Children's Shopping Tour in December of each year. The Jaycees reach out to one local school and let the school administration choose those children whose families may need a little helping hand. After a pizza party, each Jaycee partners with one child; and everyone travels by bus to Wal-Mart to shop. In keeping with the motto and the spirit, "It's better to give than to receive." The child has a list of possible gifts for each member of their household, and the child gets to shop for these gifts with the Jaycees picking up the tab. Upon return to the school, the children wrap the presents that have just purchased. The child's parent or guardian also provides a list of gifts that the child would like receive, and Santa usually arrives before the party ends to present each child with a present. The Tour is a very moving event each year, and one that brings out the most participation for the chapter. We would like to extend special thanks to all the Jaycees who support this event each year to help bring holiday cheer to these families.
The Kingsport Jaycees work with Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) to provide a program in a local school. RIF prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Through a national grassroots network of community volunteers at 21,000 program sites, RIF provides 5 million children with 17 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. RIF's accomplishments are due in part to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and thousands of individuals.
Once each quarter, the Jaycees take a selection of books into the school library, and each student chooses a book that becomes their very own. Usually, the teacher will allow a Jaycee to read one book to the class and we have sponsored art competitions in the past. The students were challenged to draw a picture that relates to the book that they chose to read. The students and the volunteers really enjoy this program for several reasons. Special thanks to all the Jaycees who come out for this event each quarter to help bring wonderful books to kids who might not otherwise get the chance to have them. View Pictures
October-Fest
The Jaycees partnered with the Downtown Kingsport Association (DKA) to provide support for October-Fest. Jaycees donated several hours of people-power to provide ticket takers and security for the event. The first annual event's goal was to generate interest in downtown Kingsport as well as interest in cultivating the opportunities for art and for entertainment. The Jaycees helped make the event very successful.
Saint Patrick's Day ConcertThe Jaycees partnered with the Downtown Kingsport Association (DKA) to provide support for the Saint Patrick's Day Concert. Jaycees donated several hours of people-power to provide ticket takers and security for the event. The first annual event's goal was to generate interest in downtown Kingsport as well as interest in cultivating the opportunities for art and for entertainment. Although the evening was cold, community turnout and participation was excellent. Special thanks to Cindy Lemons and Katty's Korner for donating coffee, hot chocolate, and soft drinks to sell as a fundraiser for the Jaycees.
Camp Discovery
The Kingsport Jaycees gathered several items for Camp Discovery including puff paint shaving kits, t-shirts, sun visors, bug spray and bubbles. The campers really enjoyed all the wonderful donations. The Jaycees would to thank Julie Bachman for heading up the collections.
|
|
