Published by The Pilot – August 7, 2010

Volunteers are stuffing school buses with back-to-school supplies for local students while local shoppers take advantage of tax-free purchases this weekend.

The effort is part of the Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive sponsored by Communities in Schools. The event, which began at 8 a.m. yesterday, lasts through today and tomorrow and encourages people to donate supplies for students who cannot afford to purchase supplies.

Communities in Schools volunteer Yvonne Peterson puts donated school supplies on a bus parked in front of Wal-Mart Friday afternoon during the Stuff the Bus with School Supplies event, which lasts through tax-free weekend.

Shoppers can drop off supplies at buses parked at Wal-Mart and Staples in Aberdeen between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Volunteers are accepting, pencils, glue sticks, spiral notebooks, 1-inch binders, hand sanitizer, plastic bags in various sizes, disinfectant wipes, colored pencils, notebook paper, scissors, tissues, folders, flat erasers, crayons and highlighters, among other school supplies.

Monetary donations will be used to supplement student activities throughout the year and purchase supplies.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Volunteers will distribute the supplies to all 22 schools in the Moore County Schools system. Students receive the supplies by asking school counselors for them.

The event is held each August during tax-free weekend.

The Communities in Schools is a local organization that brings volunteers into schools to address the unmet needs of children, providing a link between educators and the community.

Contact Hannah Sharpe by e-mail at hannah@thepilot.com.

Nearly 2,000 people attended the first Sandhills Family and Summer Fun Expo recently at the Elks Lodge in Southern Pines.

The Expo kicked off early with 100 runners participating in the 5K Hoyt Kennedy Memorial Race/Walk, followed by the opening of the Expo activities.

“The Expo really exceeded our expectations. We had great weather, a terrific turnout and lots of fun,” said Rollie Sampson, Expo coordinator and Communities In Schools Board member. “The turnout really highlights the huge interest in child-focused activities in the Sandhills. We could not have asked for a better kick-off for this new family event.”

There was something for everyone at the Expo. Parents were able to find information on the summer camps and activities for their children. The kids were able to play at a free mini-carnival, including a bounce house, giant slide, face-painting, clowns, Hula-Hoops, music, golf contests and ice cream.

The African drummers from West Pine Middle School were one of the great highlights of the Expo. Directed by Marci Houseman, the student drummers entertained the crowd throughout the day.

Another unique activity at the Expo was the chance to meet young junior drag racer Kelli Blake. She started drag racing when she was only 8 years old.

“Kelli’s race car, named ‘The Heart Breaker,’ was a real treat for the kids to see.” said Andi Korte, Communities In Schools executive director. “Kelli brings new meaning to the words ‘girl power.’

Published by The Pilot - July 10, 2010

“We look forward to bringing the Sandhills Family and Summer Fun Expo back to the community next year and making it even bigger,” added Korte.

The Expo was hosted by Communities In Schools (CIS) and the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation. All proceeds from the event will support CIS programs targeted at Moore County Schools, including mentoring programs, after-school programs, CIS FirstSchool Garden programs and the Community Career Academy.

For more information contact CIS at (910) 295-1072 or visit www.cismoore.org.

Published by The Pilot – July 10, 2010

Celebrities are flocking to Pinehurst. First Ben Crenshaw visited, then Henry Winkler, followed by Vince Gill.

Now “The Beast” is coming back to town.

Sean “The Beast” Fister, 15-time Long Drive World Champion, will return to Pinehurst on July 11 and 12 for the fourth annual Fore Kids Sake Golf Tournament benefitting Communities In Schools (CIS).

This golf tournament is not like other tournaments in the area. The Fore Kids Sake tournament has events for both golfers and non-golfers alike.

The event will kick off with a “Feast with the Beast” at the Little River Golf Club, where guests will get a chance to meet Fister while they enjoy cocktails and food.

The cocktail party is open to golfers and non-golfers. Last year, more than 130 people attended the cocktail party, many of whom did not golf in the tournament but wanted to enjoy the evening’s activities, meet the long drive champion and support CIS.

Fister, himself a father of three children, is returning to support CIS for the second year. Last year, he shared his own story about his invaluable experience with his mentor. The story moved many in the crowd to tears.

The highlight of the cocktail party will be a unique long drive event held on the Little River golf course. In a spin-a-raffle, Fister will draw 15 raffle numbers. Each raffle number is assigned a golf ball.

Fister will then hit the balls down the fairway. The three balls he hits the farthest will win prizes such as a stainless steel grill.

Last year, the winning drive was 451 yards. Raffle tickets are sold for $5 apiece.

The tournament itself, held on July 12 at Pinehurst No. 8, will give golfers a chance to compete with each other and watch “The Beast” in action on the course. Some lucky foursomes will even be able to have Fister drive the ball for them.

Last year’s event was very well received.

“The 2009 CIS Fore Kids Sake Golf Tournament was a great time in the outdoors, highlighted by Pinehurst’s No. 8 challenges,” said tournament chair Tom Cruce. “The players thoroughly enjoyed the day, the conditions of the course and the wonderful perks that came with the entry fee. Sean Fister was icing on the cake, as he powered his tee shots 400 yards down the fairway … certainly a gentleman who cares a great deal about kids at risk. He amazed the crowd with the power of his swing and his concern for helping others.”

All proceeds from the event stay in Moore County to support Moore County children, including the 150 children involved in the CIS COMPASS mentoring program.

For more information on the event or to purchase raffle tickets or tickets to the cocktail party, call Communities In Schools at (910) 295-1072.

Communities In Schools of Moore County is a local nonprofit organization helping kids stay in school and prepare for life. CIS provides the COMPASS mentoring program, the CIS FirstSchool Gardens, the SOAR afterschool program and the Stuff the Bus school supply drive to Moore County Schools.

April 21, 2010-Pinehurst, NC— Nearly 2000 people had a great day the First Annual Sandhills Family and Summer Fun Expo this past Saturday.  The Elks Lodge in Southern Pines was over flowing with cars, kids, parents, smiles and laughter.

The Expo kicked off early with 100 runners participating in the 5K Hoyt Kennedy Memorial Race/Walk, followed by the opening of the Expo activities.

“The Expo really exceeded our expectations.  We had great weather, a terrific turnout and lots of fun,” said Rollie Sampson, Expo Coordinator and Communities In Schools Board member, “The turnout really highlights the huge interest in child-focused activities in the Sandhills.  We could not have asked for a better kick-off for this new family event.”

“There was something for everyone at the Expo.  Parents were able to find information on the summer camps and activities for their children.  The kids were able to play at a free mini-carnival including a bounce house, giant slide, face-painting, clowns, hoola hoops, music, golf contests and ice cream.” Sampson added, “And, we had lots of drawings for free items like kid’s golf clubs, savings bonds and golf lessons.”

The African drummers from West Pine Middle School were one of the great highlights of the Expo.  Directed by Marci Houseman, the student drummers entertained the crowd throughout the day.

Another unique activity at the Expo was the chance to meet young Junior Drag Racer, Kelli Blake.  She started drag racing when she was only 8 years old.

“Kelli’s race car, named The Heart Breaker, was a real treat for the kids to see.” said Andi Korte, Communities In Schools Executive Director, “Kelli brings new meaning to the words ‘girl power’.”

“We look forward to bringing the Sandhills Family and Summer Fun Expo back to the community next year and making it even bigger,” added Korte.

The Expo was hosted by Communities In Schools (CIS) and the US Kids Golf Foundation.  All proceeds from the event will support CIS programs targeted at Moore County Schools, including mentoring programs, afterschool programs, CIS FirstSchool Garden programs and the Community Career Academy.

Communities In Schools (CIS) is the nation’s leading community based organization helping kids stay in school, succeed in school and be better prepared for life. For more information contact CIS at 910-295-1072 or visit our website at www.cismoore.org.

Looking for more details? Download our flyer – Lessons from the School Yard Workshop

February 12, 2010-Pinehurst, NC— Communities In Schools (CIS) FirstSchool Gardens will be hosting a complimentary workshop series for adults called “Lessons from the Schoolyard”.

“Following three years of success teaching children in school gardens throughout Moore County, we created these free workshops specifically for adults who would like to learn more about vegetable and fruit gardening and healthy eating,” said Kathy Byron, CIS FirstSchool Garden Program Director, “ We have had so many requests from parents who were excited about  what their children were learning in our school-based programs and they  wanted to learn more themselves so they could create their own gardens at home.”

The first in the series will take place February 18, 2010 and will focus on “How PTA/PTOs and Parents can influence the Health and Academic Success of Students through School Gardens”.  This workshop will be held at the Moore County Cooperative Extension office in Carthage from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  The workshop will be presented by Wake-Med’s Advocates for Health in Action, and will include an overview of the CIS FirstSchool Garden program, as well.

Six shorter workshops in the series will be hosted at CIS FirstSchool Gardens throughout Moore County.

The week of March 1, 2010, a workshop entitled “The Ground Rules of Vegetable Gardening” will cover key information on how to grow vegetables successfully in the Sandhills, including the use of raised beds, soil amendments, what and when to plant and much more.

This workshop will take place Monday March 1 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Academy Heights Elementary School; Tuesday March 2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.at Southern Pines Elementary School; Wednesday March 3 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Vass Lakeview Elementary School; Thursday March 4 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Pinehurst Elementary School and Friday March 5 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Aberdeen Elementary School.

“Because of extreme heat and sandy soil, vegetable gardening in the Sandhills can be scary for many people, and yet they see how bountiful the school gardens are,” explained Bruce Fensley, the Master Gardener who will be leading this workshop,” With some basic planning, knowledge and even just a small amount of space, a home vegetable garden can be just a productive as our school gardens.”

The third workshop in the series will explore what it takes to maintain an organic vegetable garden.  This workshop will take place Tuesday March 16 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Aberdeen Recreation Center on US 1 and will be presented by Taylor Williams, Moore County Agricultural Agent.

“All of the CIS FirstSchool gardens are managed without the use of chemicals and are absolutely prolific.  Many people find it hard to believe that this can be done easily and effectively, and as a result, they turn to expensive chemical solutions,” says Byron,” In this workshop we want to share how we accomplish this amazing growth in the school gardens using strictly organic approaches.  It is not that hard or expensive.”

If cooking with vegetables is more your interest, then the Fourth workshop in the series may be a perfect fit for you.  Melissa Watford from FirstHealth Community Health Services will be giving an introduction to the nationally recognized cooking program “The Happy Kitchen/La Concina Alegra” on Tuesday March 30 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Southern Pines Elementary; Wednesday March 31 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Vass Lakeview and on Thursday April 1 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Aberdeen Elementary School.

Watford will also create a healthy soda using a recipe that can be duplicated at home.

“A happy kitchen can be a healthy kitchen.” Byron pointed out,” Cooking healthy foods sounds like it would be expensive and not a fun as eating out, but we find that the students in our school garden programs gobble up the healthy vegetables that we cook in their classrooms.  This is something that is easy to do in your own home and fun to do with your children.”

Two more workshops with a cooking focus will be held in April of this year and are perfectly timed with our Sandhills planting season.

“We will run a workshop the week of April 12 covering Cooking with Seasonal Garden vegetables and fruits, followed by a workshop the week of April 26 focusing on Healthy Cooking with Kids.” said Byron, “You will want to save the dates for these classes and bring a good appetite since we will be tasting some of our most popular recipes from the school gardens.”

For more information on these workshops or on the CIS FirstSchool Gardens you can call 910-295-1072 or visit the CIS website at www.cismoore.org.

Communities In Schools (CIS) serves 2500 Moore County students though its programs focusing on helping kids stay in school and prepare for life.  Now in its third year, the CIS FirstSchool Gardens provide a foundation for healthy eating and lifestyles at Moore County Schools, including Aberdeen Elementary School, Academy Heights Elementary School, Southern Pine Elementary School, Pinecrest High School, Pinehurst Elementary School, Aberdeen Primary School and Vass Lakeview Elementary School.