(Kearney, Nebraska) -The Arc of Buffalo County has received a mini grant from Serve Nebraska to mobilize more than 30 young people with and without disabilities in an Inclusive Service Project on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Youth leaders from The Arc of Buffalo County's Teens in Action 4-H group and YIPee (Youth Inclusion Project...Everyone, Everywhere) Advisory Board are inviting youth with and without disabilities between the ages of 12 and 25 to come dressed in their Halloween costumes and go door to door throughout Kearney to ask for donations of canned goods for local food banks. A special invitation has been extended to youth in area 4-H groups and at Kearney High School and Kearney Catholic High School student organizations to join the fun! In addition, The Arc of Buffalo County is inviting their fall semester UNK Service Learning students to also participate in this fun project.
The Trick or Treating for Canned Goods Inclusive Service Project will take place this Saturday, October 17th from 2:00-5:00 pm. (If inclement weather develops, this event will take place on our alternate date - Sunday, October 18, 2009.) Youth participants will meet at the 1st Presbyterian Parking lot at 1:45 pm to organize into groups who will go door to door unto 5:00 pm collecting canned goods. At 5:00 pm groups will meet at Pizza Hut to deliver their canned goods and to enjoy a pizza party to celebrate giving back to our community. This event is free for the youth participants, although space is limited. Those interested must RSVP by calling The Arc of Buffalo County at 308-237-4343 or emailing Kristen Larsen at larsenkl@charter.net.
"At The Arc of Buffalo County, we are committed to opening doors of hope and opportunity for youth of all abilities. Volunteerism and Service Learning is a wonderful way to strengthen our community while teaching valuable skills and life lessons," explained Kristen Larsen, Director of Teens in Action at The Arc of Buffalo County. The Arc of Buffalo County is a non-profit organization that provides services and advocacy to people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Kearney community members are encouraged to support this project by donating a variety of canned or non-perishable food items when the groups of Trick or Treaters visit local neighborhoods on Saturday afternoon. If a group doesn't visit your home this Saturday, then please consider donating your canned goods to The Kearney Salvation Army (phone number 308-234-9998) or to The Jubilee Center (phone number 308-234-3880). Youth and Kearney citizens can have an impact on others in their community by meeting the needs of our local food banks.
To register for this event, or for further information, please contact the Arc of Buffalo County at (308)-237-4343.
