Latest news with #Kiwanis
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
North Bay to kick off centennial celebrations with concert, drone show
Northern Ontario Watch North Bay residents and visitors are invited to the first of four centennial concerts and drone shows next Friday at the Kiwanis Bandshell.
Hamilton Spectator
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Fourth annual teddy bear picnic returns to Burford
The fourth annual Kiwanis Teddy Bear Picnic will be returning to the Burford Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The event, which will run from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m, is the Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant's signature project. 'The Teddy Bear Picnic has really been geared towards children, and only children,' said Sheila Moore, Kiwanis club Treasurer. 'Because our motto is 'serving the children of the world,' helping to create an environment in communities that allows kids to learn, to develop, to thrive and to grow, is exactly what we're all about.' Moore said that throughout the afternoon, the youngsters will have a chance to participate in several activities and games. 'We'll have things like the 'guess how many jellybeans are in the jar' and 'pin the heart on the teddy,' contests, we'll have some face painting, the library will be there with some fun books and crafts, and we'll have someone on site teaching them how to plant seeds as well,' she said. 'We're also going to have the fire department there to give the kids a bit of a tour of the truck and to teach them some fire safety tips, and of course, St. John's Ambulance will also be there to do medical checkups on their stuffed animals.' Children are encouraged to bring along their favourite stuffed animals, not just for the clinic portion of the event, but for the chance to win a prize for the most creatively dressed teddy bear or treasured companion contest. Simply head over to the Peak Reality tent before 2:00 p.m. and fill out a ballot to enter a draw for a prize. 'We also have an art contest which they can actually start at home,' said Moore. 'All they have to do is draw, colour or paint a picture of a teddy bear on a 11' x 8' piece of paper, and then when they arrive, they can drop it off at the Kiwanis tent by 1:30 or 1:45 p.m. at the latest; that way they can be hands free during the event and so we have plenty of time to judge the art work. The children will be split into two different age groups: up to and including the age of five, and then six to eight, and the winners from each category will get a little prize.' Moore said that all of the activities that have been planned for the afternoon have been designed to help the youngsters learn something new. 'For example, submitting a piece of art into our art contest or doing a craft, helps to tap into their creativity,' she said. 'The games and such are to keep them active and to help teach them some healthy competition; even having St. John's Ambulance there for the little teddy bear clinic helps to alleviate any fears they might have if they were ever in an emergency medical situation. The only thing we really have there that's for nothing than just pure fun is the face painting and the Barry O' show.' While there will be a small canteen selling hot dogs and a few other treats, Moore said that one the best parts of the event is that it's otherwise completely free to attend. 'The whole event is designed for the kids and so we don't have outside vendors or anything specifically catered to the adults because we don't want them to have to worry about spending money or anything like that,' she said. 'We just want them to come and watch kids have a fabulous day full of fun. I don't know how many parents have come up to us and tell us how wonderful it is that this event is totally free because a lot of people just don't have the money to take their kids out to a big fair or a festival and buy them all these extra things. It's really important to us to keep this event accessible like that.' She added that putting on an event like this for free wouldn't be possible without their generous sponsors. 'They're the ones who really allow us to put this on and make it admission free,' said Moore. 'Without them, we'd have to find the money for the entertainer, the venue, the prizes… all of that costs money and so they help us truly keep this event revenue neutral.' Kimberly De Jong's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at .
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
North Bay's new all-wheel park officially opens
North Bay opened its new Kiwanis All-Wheel Park Friday afternoon, when several dozen boarders and cyclists tried out the new facility.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kiwanis set new record with Pancake Day fundraiser
May 9—The Decatur Kiwanis Club broke the record for money raised with its Pancake Day fundraising event for the second year in a row. It raised a total of $150,421 at this year's fundraising event on Feb. 22. This surpasses the record set last year by more than $15,000. "It is truly, truly remarkable the effort that these men and women put forth to try to raise as much money as possible to help the organizations that are represented here today," said Kiwanis Pancake Day Chairman Mark Waters upon announcing the total amount raised at a meeting honoring the funding recipients on Thursday. "It's just a passion project for this club ... so we're very, very thankful." The total amount distributed Thursday was $113,560, after removing costs of hosting Pancake Day and other special project funding used throughout the year. Forty-four area organizations received checks. The majority of the recipients were represented. A line snaked along the two walls of the ballroom of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Decatur Riverfront, where the luncheon was held, as recipients were called up. Each year, the Kiwanians choose a signature project, which they distribute a higher amount to and rally fundraising efforts behind. The club plans to give $34,500 to the city of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department for the purchase of new benches. The club chose the project to honor former Decatur mayor and active Kiwanis member Lynn Fowler, whose goal was to install new benches throughout the city. Fowler died in May 2023. "He was a force of nature for raising money for kids," Waters said. "... Even when he was in the hospital, he was on the phone talking to people about raising money." The City Council needs to vote on whether the department can accept the funding, but Aaron Lang, operations for Decatur Parks and Rec, said that should not persent a problem. Each bench costs about $3,000, so the department should be able to purchase 12 benches. Each bench will be made of wrought iron, painted black and have a bronze plaque honoring a Kiwanis sponsor. "Everyone is very excited to continue the standard that Lynn Fowler set out for us," Lang said, noting that Fowler started the project of installing new benches years ago. Lang said the goal would be to convert all benches in the city to the same style, and Founders Park and Rhodes Ferry Park will likely have highest priority for receiving new benches. Kiwanis President Darrell Wates said that the club serves as the organizer for the Pancake Day events, but many people come together to make it possible. "Last year, we set a record, and this year, we blew it out of the water," Wates said. "... So many people pour out, and the community pours out. We kind of are the method for it to run through, but it's a community thing." Around 4,000 people attended Pancake Day this year, the 59th year the event has been held. The club began selling T-shirts last year in addition to the Pancake Day meal tickets. Wates said the money from the T-shirt sponsorships, profits from their sale, and the ability to spread the word for the event through the shirts helped contribute to a more successful fundraiser. Next week, Kiwanis will award $6,000 in scholarships to local students, also using the funds from Pancake Day. — or 256-340-2437
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Department of Education investigating Evanston-Skokie District 65 over ‘privilege walks'
EVANSTON, Ill. — The US Department of Education announced they are investigating Evanston-Skokie District 65 over alleged racial discrimination and 'privilege walks.' The department alleges District 65 violated the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation stems from drama teacher Dr. Stacy Deemar's two complaints. The complaints allege that District 65 engages in racial segregation and stereotyping through 'privilege walks' and district-sponsored segregated affinity groups. Privilege walks is a practice where students step forward when answering 'yes' to certain questions and step back when answering 'no.' It looks at social privileges that benefit some people over others, according to Kiwanis. 'The policies and practices to which the District allegedly subjects students and teachers shocks the conscience. Amid a dismal academic achievement record, the District appears to focus on unlawfully segregating students by race, instructing students to step forward and others to step back on the basis of race, and associating 'whiteness' with the devil. If true, how is this conceivable in America today?' said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. Investigation launched into Chicago Public Schools' Black Student Success Plan Trump's Department of Education is also investigating Chicago Public Schools' over their Black Student Success Plan. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates called the investigation 'baseless.' WGN News reached out to District 65 for a statement and have not heard back at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
