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 CommonGood E-NewsWhat's happening in social justice, social action and community outreach in Dare and Currituck Counties CommonGood Web
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Mt Zion 4th Tuesday Community Dinners
|  | The Dinner Outreach ministry at Mt. Zion United
Methodist Church in Grandy is held at 6 PM till everyone is served on 4th
Tuesdays. The meal is offered free to the community and church
family. If you know of anyone who would like a hot meal
please come and bring them with you.
We'd love to have entire families present. We want to meet the needs of
as many people as we possibly can. Remember it's all free and a good time
is just part of our menu.
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Walking for Hunger
The Albemarle Walk for Hunger
will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2010. The Annual Walk is largest
singl  e fundraiser for the Food Food Bank of the Albemarle is having
its Annual Walk for Hunger. Every
dollar raised will provide approximately 5 pounds of food. If you are interested in providing support and leadership for next year's walk, please contact CommonGood and I'll pass your name along.
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 The 6th Annual Day at the Docks
Saturday, September 18, 2010, on the
Hatteras village waterfront. The day brings island fishing
families and visitors together on the waterfront to celebrate the living
traditions and heritage of Hatteras Island, a special place where the pull of
the sound and the sea remains as irresistible today as in years past for
commercial fishermen and charter-boat captains and mates.
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Outer Banks Charity Classic Tennis Tournament
The Hospice Program of Dare Home Health and Hospice is a vital
part of the Dare County community providing comfort, support and care
when there is no cure.  Through
Hospice, doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, counselors and
volunteers work together to enable patients to live out their final
days with dignity in comfortable surroundings. Hospice also provides
grief support for the patient's family and loved ones during the
difficult times of life's final chapters and for a year after the
patient pass  es away. You can learn more here at the Hospice Foundation of America. Funds raised from the Classic Charity are used
specifically for Hospice's volunteer coordination activities. This is the signature fundraiser for the Hospice Program of Dare Home Health and Hospice, an agency of the Dare County Department of Public Health. Registration for tournament participation is underway. Forms are available at each of the sponsoring clubs and can be downloaded from www.duckwoodscc.com, www.kilmarlichrc.com, or www.darenc.com
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Safe School Climate
A 2009 survey of 7,261 middle and high school students found that at school nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment at school in the past year and nearly two-thirds felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation. Nearly a third of LGBT students skipped at least one day of school in the past month because of safety concerns.
The presence of supportive staff contributed to a range of positive indicators including fewer reports of missing school, fewer reports of feeling unsafe, greater academic achievement, higher educational aspirations and a greater sense of school belonging.
Students attending schools with an anti-bullying policy that included protections based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity expression heard fewer homophobic remarks, experienced lower levels of victimization related to their sexual orientation, were more likely to report that staff intervened when hearing homophobic remarks and were more likely to report incidents of harassment and assault to school staff than students at schools with a general policy or no policy.
Despite the positive benefits of these interventions, less than a half of LGBT students (44.6%) reported having a Gay-Straight Alliance at school, slightly more than half (53.4%) could identify six or more supportive educators and less tha n a fifth (18.2%) attended a school that had a compre-hensive anti-bullying policy. |
Volunteer Opportunities
 Volunteer at the Beach Food Pantry There are many ways to become
involved in helping the Beach Food Pantry. We are open Monday through Friday from 2 pm to 4 pm. If you
would like to volunteer to help clients during these hours,
please contact a coordinator from a participating church listed
on the Supporting Members page
Youth Partnership for Dare County is looking for caring volunteers to tutor at-risk preschool children using the WINGS preschool literacy program. WINGS volunteers will play literacy-based games at least once a week, focusing on memory, comprehension, problem-solving, creative thinking, and decision-making. The typical time spent volunteering each week is 1-2 hours. For more information, please contact Carla Heppert at 252-441-0614 or email her at wings@darekids.org. Children and Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source of information about activities, programs and resources for children
The Whalehead Club Arts in the Park on Sept. 1 & 2. Volunteers are needed: work booths: sell t-shirts, drinks and cookies;
bake goodies for the bake sale; and offer hospitality breaks to the
artists during the show. Contact Julia Jordan
at The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park
P O Box 307, Corolla, NC
(252) 453-9040 ext. 3 or by email.
Children at Play is currently looking for volunteers that would like to
work in the museum with the children, doing activities such as arts and crafts,
stories and games. Our address is 3809 N. Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 and
our number is 599 1373. Children at Play is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization.
The Dare Literacy Council is in need of
volunteer tutors. Email dareliteracy@gmail.comAlbemarle Commission needs volunteers to deliver nutritious
meals to senior citizens in Dare County Monday through Friday. The Home Delivered Meals Program serves seniors that
are 60 years of age or over, homebound and no longer able to prepare a
nutritious meal for themselves. If you have one hour a month to help
a senior,please contact
Mary Jernigan at (252)475-5637 at the Baum Center, Sandra Cantrell- Bush at (252)473-9279
or Sandy Scarborough at (252)475-5625 at the new
Dare County Center. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, a partnering church or civic/community organization with Respite Care, please contact, Stephanie Bowers, Program Coordinator at (252) 475-5028.
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 Organizations are invited to list volunteer
opportunities at CommonGood or email obxcommongood@gmail.com
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Fueling Brainpower for Kids Hunger impedes children's ability to think, learn and develop. The school breakfast and lunch program feed children at school but not on weekends. More than one in four of all elementary children in Dare County qualify for free or reduced breakfasts or lunches during the school year.  Between September 2008 and February 2009, the number of eligible elementary children alone jumped 29 percent! Dare County has a unique economic situation. Compared to the Federal average, the number on welfare is comparatively small, while the number of challenged two-income families - making slightly above federal poverty level - is greater. This is due to the seasonal economy which is based on housing and tourism. Reduced off-season work hurts many of these  families. Many volunteer programs provide after school meals during the school year. Many programs offer breakfast and lunch during the summer. But what about meals on the weekends during the school year!
Food for Thought, in partner with businesses, churches, community groups, governmental officials and private citizens providing at least 500 deserving youth for  four meals and snacks. During the 2008-09 school year, a total of 59,000 meals were packed. Volunteers, including the working board members, donated more than 4,000 hours at a value of more than $60,000. Community partners donated items for free or reduced costs at a value of $25,000.
2010-2011 objectives include:
You can help. Learn About the Program. Consider hosting a speaker at one of your organization meetings and become more familiar with Food for Thought and ways you can help. Be a Volunteer. Each week during the school year, folks are needed to pack the bags of food at the distribution center in Manteo, set up the food for the next week, and then deliver the bags to the schools. Volunteers also meet at the center to receive the food from the Food Bank of the Albemarle and Food Lion. Or, you could pick up fresh fruit. Donate Foods. Fresh fruits, individual entrees and individual desserts as well as milk are always needed. Donating these or providing them at cost is a tremendous help. Consider In-kind Services. Printing, graphics, copying and professional services are invaluable. Feed a Child. Another way to support Food for Thought is to make a tax-deductible donation. Why not feed a child for a school year? Each weekend, the four meals are $6.50. That's only $250 for an entire school year! Or, endow a child for life for $4,500 (at today's costs). Remember, more than 99 cents of each dollar raised is used to feed the children. Create an annual line-item in your church/business/organization's budget Participating organizations: All Saints Episcopal Church Bethany United Methodist Church Dare County Alternative School Duck Woods Country Club Women's Association Duck United Methodist Church Friends of Food for Thought Grace Lutheran Church Holy Redeemer Catholic Church Kitty Hawk Methodist Church Mighty Winds United Methodist Church Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church Outer Banks Women's Club Roanoke Island Presbyterian Church Roanoke Island Garden Club St. Andrews by the Sea Beach Food Pantry Dare County School Administration Dare County Board of Commissioners The Food Bank of Albemarle The Marketplace Food Lion Harris Teeter Western Sizzlin Steak House
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Film: The Hunger Season
 On September 21st, the Outer Banks Peace and Justice Interfaith Coalition will
begin its 2010 - 2011 Season with the showing of the Hunger Season. The film documents the massive food crisis unfolding. Climate Change,
increasing consumption in China and India, the dash for Biofuels are
causing hitherto unimagined food shortages and rocketing prices. As commodity prices have risen by 50%, the
UN Agencies have barely half the budget they need to meet the needs of
73 million hungry people they are currently feeding. We could be
facing one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes of all time if
governments do not commit more resources.
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First Annual Bachelorette Auction
 to benefit the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group will be held on September 18, at the Port O'Call Restaurant at milepost 8.5 on the Beach Road. The event promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with friends
helping out a great cause. The Outer Banks Cancer Support Group is a
501(c)3 organization that holds support meetings each month on the
first Tuesday. The group also provides transportation assistance and
temporary financial assistance for cancer patients in Dare County.  Great donations for the evening include gift certificates, jewelry and
an Offshore Fishing Charter raffle. It will be a big night to raise
money for the group and everyone can go home with a prize and some
lucky bachelors could end the evening with an amazing date. The event will begin with a Silent Auction at 7:30PM and continue with raffles and the main auction at 9:00PM. Twelve local beauties will be auctioned off in Hollywood Glamour with comedian Sebastian Pignato as host. The ladies include DJ Shelly Mills and many more. For more information on the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group and the Bachelorette Auction, check the groups website at: www.obcancersupportgroup.org or contact Karen Rodgers at 252-473-9447.
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Need for
Literacy Volunteers
 In a 2006 Survey, The Dare Literacy Council found the great literacy need was English as a Second Language (ESL). While this need has remained constant, there has been an increased need for GED tutoring since the economic downturn in 2008. The Literacy Council grows steadily each year, with currently more than 39 active tutors working with 92 students. The ages of students range from 18 to 70+, with a large percentage in the 19-24 year range. One intermediate ESL class meets on Thursday evenings at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in Manteo. An ESL conversation class and beginners class will begin in October and November, respectively. Last year the Council expanded our reach into southern Currituck County (Poplar Branch Township). Volunteers are needed in both Dare and Currituck Counties.
Note the Training Workshop is on October 2.The Dare Literacy Council is in need of volunteers to tutor and help in other ways. Tutors are trained to teach adults to learn to read, to improve their reading or math skills, to learn English as a Second Language or to prepare for their GED (high school equivalency). No teaching experience or second language skills are necessary.
The required Orientation is Saturday, September 18, 9:30-11:00 am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Nags Head.Register by calling 216-7773 or sending an email to dareliteracy@gmail.com. The Tutor Training Workshop will take place on Saturday, October 2 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Nags Head. There is a $25 fee which covers the cost of your workbook and lunch is provided. Contact the Dare Literacy Council by September 20 to register for the Workshop.
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Caring Effectively Training
 "Caring Effectively", offered from 7-8:45PM on Tuesdays at All Saints Episcopal Church. This training is presented in two (2) hour sessions over Six weeks. To register please contact Gail Sonnesso, MS @ 252-480-3354 or her cell 207-2083
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First Walk Against Addiction
 Saturday, September 25th at 9:00am, First Flight High School. The walk is to support awareness in Dare County, NC, that addiction is a treatable disease and that recovery is possible. Registrations begin at 9:00 am. $10 registration feed. All walkers receive breakfast compliments of Dunkin Donuts, water from Pepsi, and a special tote bag. Mighty Wind United Methodist Church will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs after the walk. There will be professionals in the fields of addiction, treatment facilities and support groups to pass out information and answer any questions. Proceeds from the walk benefit 'The Awareness That Addiction is a Disease Fund' to educate people about addiction and assisting with helping those that need treatment for substance substance. As research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America has shown,
raising awareness that addiction is a disease and that recovery is
possible can help to reduce stigma that prevents those dealing with
substance abuse from seeking treatment. For information on the Walk, contact Brenda Thacker at 252.202.1110 or obx810@hotmail.com
Accurate knowledge of the disease helps people to understand the importance of support. You play an important role, too, as
support networks are central for successful rehabilitation from
addiction. The assistance of family, friends, employers, and other
concerned community members can help someone achieve long-term
recovery.
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Listen to Dan Gediman, co-editor of This I Believe II
 More than 1000 copies of This I Believe were recently distributed throughout Dare County as part of the 2010 Outer Banks Community Read Initiative spearheaded by the Dare Education Foundation. The book's co-editor, Dan Gediman, will be the featured guest speaker at several community events scheduled for Thursday, September 23. These events are free and open to the public thanks to support from the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
Dan Gediman will entertain and
inspire guests who attend one of his scheduled appearances in Dare County
on Thursday, September 23. A 1:00pm
event is planned at the Dare County Center
in Manteo and a 7:00pm event is planned at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk. Both
events are free and open to the public. To
reserve your place, call the Dare Education Foundation at 255-5545.Community Read Initiative partners also include the Outer
Banks Chamber's Create the Future Initiative, Dare County Libraries, and the
Dare County Arts Council. In advance of the public events, Dan Gediman will also provide
a two-hour staff development program for all teachers in Dare County
Schools. With funding from the Outer
Banks Community Foundation, DEF was able to give a copy of This I Believe to every teacher in the district. Teachers read the book over the summer and
will now have the unique opportunity to spend time with Dan and explore ways they
can use This I Believe in the
classroom to help students develop 21st Century Skills.
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 Get out and help us clean our coast! Saturday, October 2, 2010 � 9 am - 12 Noon. Trash bags, data cards, gloves, water and other supplies will be provided at the following locations: Southern Shores Fire Department; Chickahauk Beach Access;Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School; Kitty Hawk Bath House; KDH Bath House; Bonnett Street; Nags Head Town Hall; NC Aquarium;Coquina Beach Bath House and Pea Island Visitor Center 
Saturday, October 2, 2010 � 12 noon - 4 pm, The Outer Banks Brewing Station in KDH, Free food and drink, live music and
good times at TRASHFEST -Featuring live drumming by the ToneTones, accoustic music by SoulOne and good ole surf rock by Rubber Pants!
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