Residents in the Claremont Addition Neighborhood worked to build a free summer youth program for apartment children who live in the area.
Before the program, the children had no place to play but the streets, says Vikki Martin, president of the Claremont Addition Neighborhood Association Crime Watch 1199.
Martin spearheaded an effort to bring the Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s Send a Kid to Camp Program to Claremont this summer. If a neighborhood can raise $4,000 and find a space for the program, the Park Department will run a camp in the area.
Claremont’s camp started last month and lasts until July 28. Children can drop in from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pat Wilson of Enchanted Hills apartments, 7963 Villa Cliff Drive, is providing space for the camp on her property.
Minyard Food Stores donated $1,000. Martin says this money made the Park Department realize she was serious. The department donated another $2,000. Other donations came from the Claremont neighborhood association; Enchanted Hills; Claremont Apartments; The Transaction Funding Corp., which owns The Highlands Apartments; Canyon Parke Apartments; Ferguson Road Baptist Church; Sonic Drive-In; Sergio’s Jewelry; Kwik Kar Wash; and Claremont residents Corky and Lillie Hall.
Martin’s Cocina has been preparing lunches for the children with groceries donated by Minyard’s. City Council representative Mary Poss is working to get City funding for food, Martin says.
Taking a Stand Against Crime
On Aug. 1, Lakewood joins other neighborhoods across the nation to take a stand against crime on National Night Out.
The event promotes partnerships between police and communities, generates support for local crime prevention efforts, and builds neighborhood unity.
The Lakewood Homeowners Association sponsors a crime watch fair at Northridge Presbyterian Church, 6920 Bob-O-Link, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Police officers will visit with Lakewood residents and a mobile police van will be on display.
For information, call the association’s president, Suzanne McCann, at 320-9349 or the association’s special events chair, Susan Falvo at 824-6150.
“Basically, it’s a chance to get to know your neighbors and put a name with a face,” Falvo says.
News & Notes
NON-PROFITS RECEIVE DONATIONS: The Lakewood Service League distributed the $32,380 raised at its 13th annual auction.
Groups receiving donations are: the YWCA’s Young at Heart Club, $2,880; Lakewood Park, $4,500; Wilkinson Center, $4,500; Greater Lakewood Shepherd Center, $3,000; Our Friend’s Place, $1,000; Visiting Nurses Association, $2,000; Disciples of Holy Trinity Inc., $1,900; Fire House Ministry, $1,500; East Dallas YMCA, $3,000; Fowler Homes, $1,300; Off Our Rockers, $1,000; The Winning Network, $1,300; and English Language Ministries of East Dallas Cooperative Parish, $1,000. The League’s endowment fund received $2,000, and $1,500 went to its emergency fund.
A TASTY EVENT: The East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is organizing Taste of East Dallas for Aug. 26. The event will feature East Dallas restaurants and food vendors while offering family entertainment. It will be at the Fair Park Tower Building from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and are free for children six and younger. Proceeds benefit the Chamber and Friends of Fair Park.
Elizabeth Rivera of A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. and Martin Zisman of Martin’s Cocina are co-chairing the event. Businesses interested in participating or displaying a poster for it should call the Chamber at 321-6446. Tickets also can be purchased through the Chamber.
NEW COUNSELING SERVICES: Affordable counseling services are now available through All Saints Episcopal Church, located at Abrams and Kenwood. Neighborhood resident Wally Bradford, a licensed professional counselor, provides personal counseling at the church. His services are available in the evening and Saturdays. For information, call the church at 824-4488 or Bradford at 321-8731.
LIBRARY EVENTS: This month Lakewood Library, 6121 Worth St., features two displays.
The first, a collection of more than 500 insects, represents two years of work by 13-year-old Adam Bolt. The second, tells the story of Vickery Place, a neighborhood bounded by Goodwin on the north, Belmont-Henderson on the south, Central Expressway on the west and Greenville Ave. on the east.
On July 11, The Science Place brings its astronomy laboratory to the library, and on July 18 the library presents “Robots 4 Fun” at 1:30 p.m. For information call 670-1376.
A NIGHT OF IMPROV: The improvisational comedy group Rubber Chicken is performing at two neighborhood locations. Every Saturday at 8 p.m. the group is at Ozona Westex Grill, 4615 Greenville Ave. Admission is $7, and reservations are recommended.
Through July 15, Rubber Chicken also performs at Pocket Sandwich Theatre, 5400 E. Mockingbird Lane, on Fridays and Saturdays at 11:15 p.m. for $7.
For information, call 823-LAFF.
