CLC class writes grant to host Kinship Kids at Hawaiian party

Monday in the Central Lakes College gym, CLC students in the Leadership II class taught by Jean Mershon will host three hours of fun for a deserving group of youngsters.

Guests will be up to 30 Kinship Kids ages 10-14. These are the youth in need of role models absent from home life. They are the ones who are eligible for an adult match but have not yet been assigned a Kinship Partner.

The CLC students wrote and received a grant from Youth As Resources, a Brainerd Community Action program.

As part of the class project seeking a grant, CLC students Lindsay Weber of Motley and Sabrina Ruis of Aitkin met with the YAR Board to present the rationale for the proposed grant and described planned activities.

The YAR Board approved a $671 grant to help buy supplies and refreshments for a 4 to 7 p.m. Hawaiian luau party.

The CLC students conceived activities that could provide a variety of opportunities to employ friendly competition and foster teamwork. There will be a Fear Factor contest featuring some of the healthiest foods available for human consumption but which "kids" may abhor.

Northwest Pizza is donating $175 worth of pizza. The CLC students raised about $450 worth of donations to enhance this fun event with prizes.

The CLC men's basketball team will assist with activities centered around the hoops.

Also planned: a limbo contest, bowling and a scavenger hunt designed to get students and the guests familiar with the campus.

Students in the class are Benjamin Barnevald, Sabrina Ruis, Nela Smith and Danielle Tetrick, all of Aitkin; Justin Burnard, Deana Maier, Douglas Ream and Leigha Walters, all of Brainerd; Amanda Kobberdahl, Ironton; Ryan Zachman, Monticello; Beau Mertens and Lindsay Weber, both of Motley; Jaimie Borders, Pequot Lakes; Kayla Pohlkamp, Pierz; Samantha Sullivan and Jessica VanVickle, both of Pillager; Leslie Shold, Pine River; Angelica Johnson, Roseau; and Elizabeth Rogge, Verndale.