Woodbine, IA

This past Monday night, June 23rd, Woodbine hosted a celebration of accomplishments night at our central park. We served over 200 sundaes to the residents of our town who came to be a part of this incredibly exciting moment for Woodbine. We created display boards that were all over our shelter house. A scavenger hunt of information from the displays was created and people spent a GREAT deal of time studying the pictures and explanations of things we had accomplished during our program through Horizons. Another element that was wonderful to see was the utilization of SIGN UP BOARDS for the work that continues as a result of our work with the Horizon’s program. We have plans and ideas to move forward with, committees that are yet forming, and new ideas to explore. People ate sundaes and brownies, socialized, signed up to help with projects, and played yard games. ONE STUDENT who was near as we were setting up was particularly interesting to watch. He did not know we were going to be at the park that night with free ice cream. He was just there playing. His eyes got bigger and bigger as the games started going up and the food came out. We shared that he should start playing the games if he wanted and when he learned that this was all FREE and totally open to him and his friends and his family he just stated so emphatically, “THIS PLACE IS AMAZING.” Our open house celebration meant more than ice cream to this young man. He was a part of the community that day. He was a welcome participant in a giant party that represented far more than he could probably appreciate at his age, but he had a great evening because we were there to share our successes with the community at large. We showed Woodbine what Woodbine has done.

Woodbine has opened up its application time for its annual Paint-a-thon that will happen in August.  New this year was a grant application written and received for $1400 from the Network Neighborhood Grants Program administered by the local Human Service Decat Board. Woodbine High School student council will be reviewing the applications and picking several houses to paint. Eligible entries include those who are in financial need and are not as able to afford paint/supplies to paint their houses, and eligible applicants include those who are physically unable to paint their own houses. Paint-a-thon addresses financial and emotional poverty, but it also incorporates a huge social element within it which helps eliminate the social poverty we face in our towns. This event is totally student driven. The leadership skill set and leadership opportunities for our high school youth are incredible. Students also solicit the help of the community and rely on a huge volunteer base to complete their painting tasks on the actual painting date.