Three Rivers Kiwanis partners with Jean’s Blessings
MILO — One of the events the Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo/Brownville looks forward to participating in is Jean’s Blessings.
Originally called Blessings in a Backpack, Jean’s Blessings started in Milo in 2009 in memory of one of the founders and owner of JSI Store Fixtures, Jean Johndro. JSI donates $2,000 every April school vacation week for food that the students bring home.
Dawn McLaughlin, the elementary physical education teacher in Milo and Brownville, organizes the program. She begins the packing party with enthusiasm and energy, and all together those involved help pack 165 bags filled with cereal and soups, fruit bars and fruit. The food bags are then distributed to classrooms.
“I look at this as a collaborative effort; beginning with Dawn and others in the school system and JSI for providing the funding and help in coordinating, continuing with Dave and Amanda from Tradewinds who provide quality food at the best pricing,” said JSI Director of Human Resources Gordon Smith. “Kiwanis as well as students volunteers help bring this all together. All of us desire to serve the youth of this area in the most basic and needed way.”
Three Rivers Kiwanis volunteers raises and provides monies for children’s programs throughout the community. Some of the programs are Secret Santa, Hooked on Fishing, Terrific Kids, Key Club and Bikes for Books. This month’s fundraisers are the Sebec River Canoe and Kayak Race held on May 20, starting in Sebec Village, and Kiwanis cribbage tournaments set for May 13 and 27.
Photo courtesy of Three Rivers Kiwanis
JEAN’S BLESSINGS — Helping fill backpacks full of food for SAD 41 students to have during April vacation were, from left, Three Rivers Kiwanis members and others Art Doyle, Tanya Ellison, Brenda Kelley, Bobby Ellison, Milo Elementary physical education teacher Dawn McLaughlin, Linda O’Connor, Virgil Valente, Cynthia and Ken Jay, Gordon Smith of JSI Store Fixtures and Marty O’Connor. JSI provided a $2,000 donation to fund the food items.