Communities In Schools Recognizes Businesses
In January of 2014, our executive director, Glendora Yarbrough, was given the opportunity to recognize five businesses for contributions towards our organization. As a nonprofit, our work among area learners would be crippled without the support of contributors, donors, funders, and volunteers — and we are ever grateful for those who find it in their hearts to contribute to our cause. Together, we are making strides to impact the lives of Alexander County students, providing them with the tools necessary to succeed academically, and achieve in life.
Currently, our business partnership levels are as follows:
• Honorary – under $1,000
• Silver – $1,000 – $2,000
• Gold – $2,000 – $3,000
• Platinum – $3,000 and above
The following businesses were those recognized for their contributions toward our work in Alexander County.
- Duke Energy (Platinum Partner)
- Craftmaster Furniture (Gold Partner)
- Hancock and More (Gold Partner)
- HSM Solutions (Gold Partner)
- Foundation for the Carolinas / Shurtape Industries (Honorary Partner)
Kevin Mann accepted a plaque on behalf of Craftmaster Furniture and Robin Nichols accepted a plaque on behalf of Duke Energy. The remaining plaques were distributed to the businesses unable to attend the meeting.
2012-2013 Expansions
The previous school year held a host of changes for Communities In Schools of Wilkes County. From our expansion into Alexander County, to a revision of our policies and procedures, to saying goodbye to five long-term board members – the year was eventful and emotional all around.
One change we were particularly excited to see was the addition of two sites in the Wilkes school system: Central Wilkes Middle and Moravian Falls Elementary. For the first time, we were able to serve these two schools with site coordinators.
If you are unfamiliar with site coordination at CIS, these staff members act as liaisons to bring resources, services, business partners, parents, and volunteers into their schools. This collaboration fosters a proven community effort to help students succeed.
Students at Central Wilkes Middle worked with site coordinator Lora Davis this year, who brokered in services such as Smart Girls and Wise Guys – our teen pregnancy prevention program – and Girls on the Run. She also organized special guest speakers for the students, such as Damon Nash who spoke on bullying prevention.
Working at Moravian Falls were Tiger Posey and Amie Rose, where students participated in our Friends of Youth and Lunch Buddies programs, as well as the physical and mental health program Let Me Run. The two also worked within the community to bring in volunteers and donations for the school, successfully securing a dance machine, grill, and over 500 English and Hispanic books through First Book.
The addition and continuation of these new sites was made possible through the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation. In March of 2013, they provided CIS with $50,000.00 for salary support at the above two sites.
Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation is a supporting organization to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community. This is one of six Communities of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, an international order of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1831. The organization seeks to promote systemic change and assist individuals to empower themselves to improve the quality of their lives.
The foundation’s special heart for women, the elderly, and – specifically – children, made Communities In Schools’ site coordination a perfect fit as grant recipient.
“This is the faith community at its best,” comments Glendora Yarbrough, executive director of CIS. “With separation of church and state an ever-pressing issue of concern and debate, far too many capable organizations shy away from assisting in an area of great need: the public school system. We hope our partnership with Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation shows what CIS is happy to do: offer a safe pathway for faith-based organizations to extend their reach into the school system, wherein they can have a truly beneficial impact on the lives of our students.”
We here at Communities In Schools would be lost without the invaluable support of all our donors, volunteers, and grantors – but we would like to extend a special thank you to the Sisters of Mercy for this generous effort.
12th Annual Stuff the Bus Campaign!
This year is no exception when it comes to summer vacation: it seems before you know it the end is in sight and the new school year is just around the corner. CIS of Wilkes County is gearing up for the 2013–2014 school year with our 12th Annual Stuff the Bus Drive!
Through Stuff the Bus, CIS collects school supplies to be distributed to area schools and students for use throughout the school year. We accept a variety of donations, but are particularly seeking three ring binders, loose-leaf paper, pencils, and tab dividers this year.
Apart from our bus locations at the Wilkesboro Walmart and Staples, drop boxes are located at the following locations:
• Carolina West Wireless
• CVS on D Street
• Dollar General: 421, 18, D Street, Millers Creek, Country Club
• Family Dollar
• Maple Springs Baptist Church
• North Wilkesboro Baptist Church
• North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church
• Roaring Gap Baptist Church
• Wilkes Telecommunications
• Walgreens
• Walmart in Elkin
Those who wish to donate a backpack to the local YMCA will also be able to take advantage of a $1.00 joining fee special, a savings of $48.00 from the usual $49.00 fee!
Donations will be accepted between now and August 15th, so make your drop offs today and help our area students start the 2013 school year ready and able to succeed!
Communities In Schools Blood Drive
The relaxed schedule of summer offers our New Century Scholars a great opportunity for a head start on their yearly required community service hours. Program coordinator Melissa Higgins has worked hard to set up and schedule such service events.
Nearest on the schedule, the Scholars will be assisting with….
Date: Thursday, June 13th 2013
Time: 2:00 until 6:30 pm
Where: The CIS Office (Located in the same building as the Stone Center, directly across the hall)
At the drive, our young volunteers will help with donor check-in, as well as pass out snacks and drinks as individuals complete their donations. Please come on out for this great cause and receive this special attention from our student volunteers!
If you would be interested in giving blood, please contact Melissa Higgins at 336-651-7830 or by email. Donors under the age of 18 will need to provide a completed parent consent form before they can donate. Click here to download a form.
Headed to College Race Stats
5K Run
|
|||||
Place
|
Name
|
Age
|
Gender
|
Total Time
|
|
1
|
Lee Johnson
|
16
|
M
|
19:01.0
|
|
2
|
Dustin Triplett
|
19
|
M
|
21:48.0
|
|
3
|
Tony Blevins
|
47
|
M
|
22:56.9
|
|
4
|
Jonathan Blake Johnston
|
18
|
M
|
24:07.3
|
|
5
|
Jordyn Halvorsen
|
15
|
F
|
24:07.5
|
|
6
|
Michael Browder
|
45
|
M
|
24:45.3
|
|
7
|
Lacey Triplett
|
13
|
F
|
26:16.9
|
|
8
|
Frankie Keever
|
51
|
M
|
26:29.8
|
|
9
|
Larry Palmer
|
42
|
M
|
28:01.0
|
|
10
|
Eric Scott
|
29
|
M
|
28:04.6
|
|
11
|
Amy Guyer
|
39
|
F
|
28:15.1
|
|
12
|
Melia Higgins
|
14
|
F
|
29:33.8
|
|
13
|
Daniel Huezo
|
9
|
M
|
31:16.8
|
|
14
|
Chris Severt
|
31
|
M
|
31:36.3
|
|
15
|
Brandon Atempa
|
10
|
M
|
31:46.2
|
|
16
|
Makenna Freeman
|
9
|
F
|
31:47.9
|
|
17
|
Richard Shepherd
|
42
|
M
|
31:56.5
|
|
18
|
Joel Freeman
|
36
|
M
|
31:58.6
|
|
19
|
Edgar Mun
|
10
|
M
|
32:04.8
|
|
20
|
Marcus Lopez
|
10
|
M
|
32:12.3
|
|
21
|
Allison Critcher
|
30
|
F
|
32:33.3
|
|
22
|
Donte Holland
|
10
|
M
|
33:17.6
|
|
23
|
Anthony Carlton
|
11
|
M
|
33:45.9
|
|
24
|
Jordan Blevins
|
10
|
M
|
33:49.0
|
|
25
|
Nolan Belk
|
40
|
M
|
35:59.4
|
|
26
|
Jeremy Guyer
|
41
|
M
|
36:13.9
|
|
27
|
Angel Bentancourt
|
11
|
M
|
36:48.1
|
|
28
|
Lorene Blake
|
73
|
F
|
37:53.4
|
|
29
|
Trenton Hunt
|
11
|
M
|
38:46.5
|
|
30
|
Hope Halvorson
|
37
|
F
|
39:37.8
|
|
31
|
Bryson Elles
|
10
|
M
|
46:18.1
|
|
32
|
Lanny Handy
|
57
|
M
|
47:28.9
|
|
33
|
Doris Stroud
|
58
|
F
|
48:29.5
|
|
34
|
Cynthia Brown
|
47
|
F
|
48:29.8
|
|
35
|
Sue Risoti
|
64
|
F
|
48:30.0
|
|
36
|
Joann Caudill
|
60
|
F
|
48:38.3
|
|
37
|
Jane Joines
|
58
|
F
|
48:44.7
|
|
38
|
Logan Cardwell
|
10
|
M
|
48:46.8
|
|
39
|
Daniel Long
|
11
|
M
|
49:54.1
|
|
40
|
Jacob Ridgill
|
9
|
M
|
50:23.8
|
|
41
|
Ryan Eller
|
11
|
M
|
50:29.9
|
|
42
|
Erica Walker
|
35
|
F
|
50:50.1
|
|
43
|
Karyl Nichols
|
39
|
F
|
58:31.5
|
8K Run
|
|||||
Place
|
Name
|
Age
|
Gender
|
Total Time
|
|
1
|
Jack Brown
|
43
|
M
|
29:43.5
|
|
2
|
Allen Alfaro
|
46
|
M
|
29:59.6
|
|
3
|
Caleb Critcher
|
29
|
M
|
30:14.8
|
|
4
|
Daniel Brooks
|
27
|
M
|
30:24.3
|
|
5
|
Tommy Wagoner
|
38
|
M
|
32:03.9
|
|
6
|
Casey Church
|
31
|
M
|
33:11.9
|
|
7
|
Seth Nolte
|
20
|
M
|
33:31.7
|
|
8
|
Ty Nolte
|
18
|
M
|
34:04.4
|
|
9
|
Benjamin Zachary
|
57
|
M
|
35:19.1
|
|
10
|
Tracy Church
|
31
|
M
|
35:31.1
|
|
11
|
Cale Jordaan
|
16
|
M
|
36:20.7
|
|
12
|
Peet Jordaan
|
49
|
M
|
37:46.5
|
|
13
|
Keith Holleman
|
56
|
M
|
38:26.0
|
|
14
|
Tony Hayes
|
41
|
M
|
39:06.5
|
|
15
|
Rodney Lee
|
60
|
M
|
39:30.4
|
|
16
|
Kimberly Byrd
|
43
|
F
|
40:45.5
|
|
17
|
Brandon Ward
|
27
|
M
|
41:11.4
|
|
18
|
Heather Freeman
|
36
|
F
|
42:32.9
|
|
19
|
Amy Purser
|
31
|
F
|
43:29.3
|
|
20
|
Carrie Sessoms
|
32
|
F
|
45:32.5
|
|
21
|
Jeffrey Lee
|
33
|
M
|
45:52.1
|
|
22
|
Allen Call
|
33
|
M
|
45:52.3
|
|
23
|
Mike Queen
|
38
|
M
|
45:57.8
|
|
24
|
Todd Trivette
|
50
|
M
|
46:33.5
|
|
25
|
Sue Anne Johnston
|
41
|
F
|
47:02.0
|
|
26
|
Dawn Holleman
|
50
|
F
|
51:37.8
|
|
27
|
Katie Wiles
|
36
|
F
|
53:52.2
|
|
28
|
Scott Wooten
|
54
|
M
|
53:52.5
|
|
29
|
Iris Hilton
|
55
|
F
|
54:36.7
|
|
30
|
Teana Compeau
|
58
|
F
|
21:26.1
|
|
31
|
Madelene Johnson
|
57
|
F
|
21:26.5
|
Headed to College Race 8k Winners
Headed to College Race 5k Winners
Male Open
Female 14 and Under
Male 14 and Under
Male 15 to 19
Male 25 to 29
Female 30 to 34
Male 30 to 34
Female 35 to 39
Male 35 to 39
Male 40 to 44
Female 55 to 59
Male 55 to 59
Female 60 to 69
Bojangles Share Nights
Communities In Schools of Wilkes County – Alexander County Branch (CIS) is excited to celebrate our growing area partnerships! The Bojangles of Taylorsville and Bethlehem generously donated a portion of their proceeds to our organization during two recent Share Nights.
During a Share Night, ten percent of the profits made between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm are filtered back to the receiving organization — in this case, CIS!
Pictured here are managers Jeremy Pope, Nathan Annas, and Jason Gregg from the Bethlehem store, following the Share Night of March 19th. Our most recent night was last Tuesday, April 23rd.
Please check this blog and our Facebook page often for news of more opportunities in which to contribute to the nation’s leading dropout prevention program! And from all of us at CIS to the staff of Bojangles and everyone who came out to show support, thank you!
Merlefest 2013
The end of the school year is rapidly approaching us here in Wilkes County. With school officially being out of session come the end of May, it is no surprise that the turn of the month is one heralded by parent and student alike.
As if to celebrate the start of this final countdown comes a highly-anticipated and greatly loved event for area citizens — Merlefest 2013.
Held April 25th though the 28th, Merlefest 2013 marks the 25th year of the music and arts festival, and will be featuring some big names! This year’s line up of artists include: The Avett Brothers, Matracca Berg, Sam Bush, John Cowan, The Charlie Daniels Band, Delta Rae and many, many more!
Communities In Schools of Wilkes is excited to present this four-day event to you, as you will find us out and in action serving up some delicious food! Find us and enjoy any of the following:
- Grilled Chicken Wraps (Featuring Greek tzatziki sauce)
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- Veggie Wraps
- Pinto Beans and Corn Bread
- Baked Potatoes (with cheese, bacon, butter, and sour cream!)
- Strawberry Shortcake
Pay us a visit during your trip to the festival — and support Communities In Schools and your area students as well as your local community college!