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LIVING WITH GLEIGH| Christmas surprises get easier [6]
YOUTH MOVEMENT | The Kentwood girls 2012| The staff of the Kent Reporter wishes basketball team rolling up early season all a very happy and safe new year. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011 victories. [15]
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Kent firefighters deliver nearly 5,000 toys to food bank BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
Bryce Schack, 9, carries a big bag of gifts from the truck to the Kent Food Bank, Dec. 22, for the Kent Fire Toys for Joy program. CHARLES CORTES, Kent Reporter
Kent firefighters dropped off nearly 5,000 wrapped toys, 1,000 stuffed animals and other unwrapped gifts Dec. 22 to the Kent Food Bank for families in the community who cannot afford to buy gifts. Each year as part of the Toys for Joy event the Kent Fire Department, Kent Firefighters Local 1747, the Kent Firefighters Foundation, local businesses and residents work together to donate, wrap, and deliver the toys to the Kent Food Bank. A portion of the toys also go to other local food banks that service the Kent Fire Department’s response area. People donated toys over the last few weeks at collection barrels at Kent fire stations as well as Kent City Hall. Hundreds of volunteers turned out on three nights
at Kent Fire Station 75 to help wrap the gifts. Many of the wrappers were teenagers fulfilling community service hours, scout troops, and church members. A large number of the helpers were “wrapping veterans” who return each year to help those in the community who are less fortunate, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. “Because of the economy of the last few years, we’ve seen more and more need,” said Kent firefighter Justin Schauer, who oversees the program. “It’s unfortunate when parents can’t buy the gifts that they want to for their children. That’s where we step in to help. It’s amazing how generous our community is, donating toys and helping wrap and deliver them to the food bank.” While many local businesses support the Toys for [ more TOYS page 12 ]
KM’s Black Student Union brings all together
From Sudan to America and back once again
BY SARAH KEHOE
Covington resident fights to rebuild his country and community
skehoe@kentreporter.com
Every Tuesday night, laughter, music and voices are heard in a classroom at Kent-Meridian High School, well after school is over. It’s the Black Student Union, a club formed by students this year to discuss African American culture, history and situations going on with each member. The club started this September and has grown to 30 members. “It’s a safe haven,” said Cierra Cooper, senior and club president. “It’s a place for us to unwind, to come together and just talk.” And it’s not just for African American students. “We want everyone to join our group,” Cooper said. “We have people from all ages and races joining up. I think it’s important we all learn from one another.” [ more BSU page 12 ]
BY SARAH KEHOE skehoe@kentreporter.com
The Puck Stops Here
Seattle Thunderbird Calvin Pickard gets a stick save to end the shootout against the Everett Silvertips Tuesday night in front of a sellout crowd of 6,150 at the ShoWare Center. Seattle won 2-1.
Vincent Oywak fled from a war-torn Sudan to make a better life for himself and his family in the United States. “I left because of the war; it was mainly about safety,” Oywak said. “Staying put was just not Vincent Oywak an option for me, but leaving was just hard. I travelled alone a lot.”
CHARLES CORTES, Kent Reporter To view a slide show go to www.kentreporter.com.
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[ more SUDAN page 2 ]
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