Monday night I was invited to represent us attend 55 Kip Center’s annual volunteer recognition dinner.  Each person present has volunteered at least 20 hours this past year.  Many asked about WUiP and thanked us for our generosity. Part of our grant will perpetuate the growth of their volunteer organization.

Here is what has been going on with the help of our grant:

Maureen (part time coordinator we are funding) has been attending training workshops at the Volunteer Center and has been meeting with Cathy (full time coordinator) for weekly updates.  She is working with “Dan” from the Karate store on Park Ave to set up their Spring Cleaning through “pairs that care”.  Dan has offered to oversee a group of kids as he encourages them to perform an act of kindness.  Their seniors who are living alone and are in need of help signed up for assistance with chores like raking and other yard work, putting up screens, cleaning outdoor furniture, putting in air conditioners, etc.  Maureen and Cathy are organizing that and it will be accomplished over the next few weeks.

They continue to have small group sessions for caregivers and started their first 5 week support group on Wednesday, April 23rd.  The group will meet alternately on Wednesday mornings and evenings to accommodate the schedules of their participants.

On a side note, one of their members was a part of the NJ Net’s Senior Dance Team last year.  During the year a short film documentary was produced and parts of it were filmed at the Kip Center (they filmed Janice taking her aerobic class) and interviewed several other members.  It was shown Saturday night at the Tribeca Film Festival.  Lots of scenes that were shown in the film were shot at the Kip Center because the filmmaker was so impressed with the facility.

There’s another way we can support 55 Kip Center.  They are having a golf outing.  Here are the particulars and a document with more information is attached.

55 Kip Center Golf Outing

Monday, May 19, 2008 – 11am
High Mountain Golf Club – Franklin Lakes, NJ

For more information:

Phone: (201) 460-1600

Email: info@55kipcenter.org

Have a great week!

Cathy Lowden, WUiP liaison to the KIP Center