Non-Profit Round Up a la Pumpkin
Elijah and Annalise Heaton pick out pumpkins at the CVEA Pumpkin Patch Event. Photo by Allison Sayer.
This article was edited since print publication with an update from the Child Advocacy Center.
by Allison Sayer
On October 11, Copper Valley Electric Association hosted the annual Pumpkin Patch event in Glennallen. Residents donated non-perishable items or cash to the Food Bank in exchange for a trip to the “pumpkin patch,” which was artificially created due to the difficulty of growing pumpkins in Alaska. Several people came in costume to get the Halloween spirit going. A similar event was held in Valdez October 18.
Local non profits were invited to staff fundraising booths at the event, with supplies donated by CVEA. This seemed like a good one stop shop to learn more about what’s new for some of the local non profits in the area.
The newest non profit effort in the area is a Copper Valley branch of the Imagination Library, in partnership with CRNA. Children under five can sign up to receive free books through the initiative started by Dolly Parton. For more information or to sign up contact Stephanie Dolgner: sdolgner@crnative.org or 822-5241.
Zach Dysinger helps Beck Nagengast sign up to receive books from the Copper River Imagination Library. Photo by Allison Sayer.
Whilst spinning cotton candy, Judith Lorenz from Kenny Lake Public Library shared the library is gearing up for “Trick or Treat for a Book” that will occur over October 30 and 31. All ages are invited to participate.
A representative from CREMS shared they are going strong and bringing new people on board. Visit copperriverems.com to volunteer or learn about upcoming events and training.
Connecting Ties Copper Basin Office Administrator Terry Devens told me about the services the organization provides to help disabled residents with activities of daily living. The office also works with families to secure funding for relatives or friends to provide care. The payment for these services comes from Medicaid, unless clients are paying the full cost out of pocket which is rare.
Devens shared she travels as far as Tok and Eureka to meet with families. Whenever they get a call, she shared, “we try to help.” The biggest issue facing the organization currently is a lack of staff.
Copper Valley Public Library recently celebrated “Banned Book Week” with a display and gifts such as stickers and bookmarks. I asked Sharron Ables, who volunteers as the library coordinator, if she had a favorite banned book or author. She replied, “Dr. Seuss!” Ables shared the library’s public wifi password also reflects a banned books theme: Orwell1984.
The Copper Basin Community Library celebrated Banned Books Week Oct 5-11. Patrons received stickers and bookmarks. The wifi password - Orwell1984 - also celebrates banned books. Photo by Sharron Ables.
Ables was excited the library has recently received four new volunteer applications. Tot time resumed October 1.
Glennallen Nordic Ski Team Coach Bruce Rogers shared the team is undergoing a transition year because eight skiers either graduated or moved. This smaller team, just four to six kids, is planning to participate in about four or five meets this year.
This year, the team will offer coaching on groomed trails in Kenny Lake. This will facilitate having more Kenny Lake kids involved, and it’s possible kids from both areas can change up where they practice. In partnership with CRNA, WISE, and Upstream learning, Rogers will also focus on recruiting younger kids to the sport.
Child Advocacy Center director Gina Hoke was quite busy with the photo booth when I was at the event. I reached out to her afterwards via email. She said CAC is looking forward to their 16th Annual Tree Lighting which will be held on Thursday, December 4.
If you’re looking to get out of the house and socialize more this winter, consider contacting one of these organizations to see if you can volunteer. And if you have any pumpkin recipes, please share! I’m eying my pumpkin with a little bit of dread.
Disclosure: CVEA, Connecting Ties and CRNA are Copper River Record advertisers. This did not influence our decision to cover this event or any other aspects of the coverage.