LIFRC's Biweekly Community Spotlight and Update

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Biweekly Community Update

March 14th, 2023

Happy Tuesday!
Did you know that today is National Pi day? As in, 3.14, the mathematical concept and a number that keeps repeating? Nether did we, but we thought it was a neat fun fact to share with you because, much like Pi, our love and appreciation for you and the entire Lopez community is never ending.

This week, we are shining the light on Camp No Name, the After School program that is making learning fun.

--The LIFRC Team

In the Spotlight

Imagine walking into the Lopez Elementary School’s foyer, only instead of being greeted by a group of giggling kindergarteners, you were met with a Maître D.

Acting the part, Mason, greeted us, asked how many were in our party, and escorted us into an evening filled with a culinary adventure that was months in the making.

When we ask the participants of the Middle School After School Program what kind of family engagement activities or events they were interested in participating in, they came up with the creation of No Name Restaurant, a gastronomic experience curated by the kids themselves.

Cooking for your own family can be hard enough, but planning a 3-course menu and cooking for 66 people is a whole other story. Week after week campers debated and decided what would be on the menu, what kind of ambiance they wanted to create and who would have which job, (host, server, chef, etc.). Slowly but surely, and overcoming quite a few challenges, No Name Restaurant came together perfectly.

We have much gratitude for the assistance of trained professionals and parent volunteers who helped prepare and guide an unforgettable evening. Chef Tony Kuzemchak, member of the Lopez Locavores and owner of the catering business The Salty Otter, saw campers through creating, planning and executing the meal. Bryttani, mother of camper Zoe and owner of local business Island Grazing Table volunteered to show campers how to make beautiful charcuterie boards.

Verónica, mother of campers Lulú and Fátima taught us how to make beans and salsa - the good way! And Karina, LIFC staff/Spanish Liaison and Voices and Visions leader, partnered with Camp No Name and Chef Tony to teach us how to make authentic Mexican tamales with a vegetarian twist.

This is the first of what will be many Family Events and it taught the campers an appreciation for the creativity, flexibility and importance of the careful planning that goes into an event of this stature. It also taught us the importance of teamwork. We are so grateful to the After School Program coordinator Rose Prust and all the instructors, Mike Rosekrans, Ali Nicol, and Zeph Tate, and the three youth assistants, Aspen, Mira and Ulises, who helped guide the groundwork for what parents are calling “a 5-star evening,” voting unanimously to make it an annual event. We could not have pulled it off without the hard work of everyone involved and the support of LISD as our partner.

And, on that note, the next Family Event is just around the corner!

Coming up at the end of March: Clam Dig at Mud Bay with Program Partner KWIAHT.

There are still spots available to join the After School Program. To register just click on the link below and fill out the application form.

Updates and Reminders

ALIGN: Advocates of Lopez Island Gathering for Neurodiversity will be hosting a meeting for neurodivergent youth and caregivers on March 16th from 6-7PM at the LIFRC. To let them know you'd like to join, please email them directly at lopezaligns@gmail.com

Other Ways You Can Collaborate

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P.O. Box 732 Lopez Island, WA 98261
(360) 468-4117 info@lifrc.org

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