KIWANIS PARTNERS WITH STREET FRENZ

Shirt doesn’t fit? Too many sweaters? Drawer full of socks? Pants a bit tight?

Our caring Kiwanis Club is participating in a clothing drive for Street Frenz. Priority need going into fall and winter is men’s clothing, although women’s clothes will also be welcome.

WHO: Street Frenz is a local NeighbourLink CK ministry that provides weekly sandwiches and meals to people battling homelessness. During their visits they also assist with the provision of other needs like clothing, toiletries and other essential items at no charge.

WHAT: A one-time collection of clothing from our overflowing closets.

HOW: We can de-clutter, be ready for a new season and show the generosity of our group by bringing clean, comfortable clothing donations to our fall dinner meeting.

WHY: Housing insecure members of the Chatham community have little or no income, no ability to shop and no opportunity to repair or wash their clothing but still have basic needs for comfort and warmth.

WHEN: Kiwanis Meeting – Wednesday, September 17. Representatives of Street Frenz will be in the parking lot from 5:30 to take your bundles of clothing and will join us for the meeting. [They will also be available to take donations after the meeting for those coming for only the meeting.]

This is also a dinner meeting. Click the button to RSVP.

Children’s Water Festival – Volunteers Needed

This year The Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival is scheduled for Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2025.

We received a request from Mariah Alexander for volunteers:

We are looking for volunteers for tent set up (Sunday, September 28 at 10am), activity centre set up (Monday, September 29 at 9am), and festival takedown (Thursday, October 2, after 1:30pm). If you are able to help with this, please let me know!” (Mariah.Alexander@ltvca.ca)

More information on their website: https://www.cklwaterfestival.com

Bus Trips 2025/26 Season

1. The Play That Goes Wrong – The Grand Theatre, London – Saturday November 1, 2025

This Olivier Award-winning comedy offers a hilarious glimpse into the absolute worst-case scenarios that can unfold in the world of theatre. 

Lunch is at Morrissey House London, 361 Dundas St. Choices will be made on the day and will include meat lasagne, fish and chips, schnitzel, Pad Thai (gluten-free) or vegetarian pasta. A non-alcoholic drink and dessert are included.

Price is $175 per person. Ticket sales close September 16.

2. Starbright Christmas – Petrolia Playhouse – Saturday December 6, 2025

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Why early childhood literacy matters

  • The brain’s fastest growth happens before school; rich language and shared reading in these years build vocabulary, attention, and the pre-skills that make decoding and comprehension in Grade 1–3 far easier. Canada’s paediatricians explicitly urge daily “read, speak, sing” routines from infancy because they support language, social-emotional health, and family bonds. (PMC, Canadian Paediatric Society)
  • Canada’s education system is feeling the strain: by international assessment (PISA), Canadian reading performance has declined since 2000, and about 1 in 7 fifteen-year-olds perform at the lowest reading level—students who face steep challenges in later learning and life. Investing early is the most cost-effective way to bend that curve. (Canadian Paediatric Society, CMEC)
  • Ontario’s own Early Years research (McCain–Mustard–Shanker) emphasized that high-quality early childhood supports produce larger, more equitable literacy gains than later remediation. (Early Years Study)

Why book gifting (like DPIL) is a high-leverage strategy

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Become a sponsor for DPIL

Give the Gift of Reading!

Your monthly donation of just $10 will ensure that two children in Chatham-Kent will receive a high quality, age appropriate book in the mail until they turn 5.

Start now using the form below. Or visit Canada Helps directly at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/132305. You can stop anytime.

One time donations are welcome too 😀

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