Those of us who live near the schools have been enjoying the band practices. We are on the lookout for cross country runners who are checking off those necessary miles and kids standing at by the roads waiting for the bus. The return of those big yellow buses has altered our commutes a bit. We need to start out a bit earlier to avoid being rushed.
The first football games will also be happening soon. To celebrate Greenon’s first home game on Aug. 30, a tailgate party fundraiser has been planned near the high school at Rocky Point Church, 3928 Old Mill Road.
Tailgating for a Cause from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. will benefit Growing Knights, a relatively new organization that benefits Greenon District students who might not have enough food over the weekend or holidays.
Let me tell you about what Growing Knights does. This is a group working through the Enon First United Methodist Church, Rocky Point Chapel and other churches who saw a need for some students to get extra food to get them through the weekend. Groups like American Heritage Girls and others have stepped up to assist.
The organization started last fall and concentrated on just the Kindergarten and first grade at Enon Primary. They met with Superintendent Brad Silvus and worked closely with food and nutrition supervisors in the district to design a program that would send some nutritious snacks to supplement the diet of some students when they are not at school where they normally get breakfast and lunch.
By the end of the school year the group was helping K - sixth grade. They hope to help more grades this fall.
The food items have been carefully selected and a specific menu is set for each level each week. All items are individually wrapped and have earned both nutritionist and kid approval. Items include juice boxes, yogurt covered raisins, fruit snacks, pudding cups, individual chicken or tuna packets, muffins, and other non-perishable snacks. All on the list are nutritious, and easily prepared by even the youngest of the children.
MORE COTTREL: Greenon, Tecumseh schools preparing students, parents for new year
The food is stored at Enon UMC where the group meets once a week to pack non-descript food bags for the little ones to take home with them on Friday afternoons.
The organizer told me that the group does not know any of the student names. The school notifies them once a week of the number of snack bags needed for each grade level. The number of bags needed changes by the week as need varies.
Rocky Point Chapel wanted to support these efforts and set up the Tailgate for a Cause August 30, to get the ball rolling for the 2019 - 2020 school year.
Hot dogs, shredded chicken, chips, soft drinks and ice cream will be served. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Growing Knights.
Volunteers for Growing Knights will be on hand with literature about the efforts, forms, and lists of items to donate. They will be happy to answer questions and to accept direct donations.
Those interested in such a benefit need to speak to the school office to set this up.
My list of things I love about this community got longer today when I learned about this. Recognizing a need and doing the neighborly thing to solve the problem is just so right. God bless all involved.
About the Author