Helping Our Community
Rising gas and food prices, home foreclosures, and high unemployment have caused a serious hardship on everyone in our community. When the economy falters, charities that help the poor face the dual problems of increased demand for their services and decreased support from donors who have less money and time available to give. It is during these tough economic times when these groups need our help more than ever. For those with the time or money, Oakland Park has many places to go to help others in need.
First, helping others while making good friends is the main draw of the service organizations like Kiwanis or Rotary International, both which have active clubs in Oakland Park. I joined Kiwanis over a year ago and have been very impressed with how it helps the community. The club meets every Wednesday morning at Peter Pan Diner, and there are usually dozens of people from all over Oakland Park who attend. Each month, the club participates in several activities like taking dogs to visit children in the hospital, providing Thanksgiving meals to needy families, donating clothes and goods to foster children, and visiting seniors at an assisted living facility.
Another organization that helps those most in need in our community is the soup kitchen at the All Saints Catholic Mission. The mission provides dinner daily to many hungry people in Oakland Park, and feeds over 30,000 people each year. In fact, Father Bob Caudill, the director of the soup kitchen, says that he has seen a dramatic increase in people using its services as the economy has declined. The mission, located at 3350 Powerline Rd., is always looking for volunteers and donations.
Another important organization is Kids in Distress, with facilities in Wilton Manors and Pompano Beach. Kids in Distress helps those children and families that have suffered abuse and neglect. Kids in Distress offers volunteer opportunities for people who want to help victims of abuse, and they also facilitate foster placements and adoptions. In addition to monetary donations, Kids in Distress is always looking for new clothing, linens, school supplies, personal items and accessories, games and toys, household items, and sports equipment.
While many in our community struggle during these tough economic times, there are places where we as residents can go to help. Kiwanis, Rotary, All Saints, and Kids in Distress are just a few examples of great charities that help make our community great- that show the true spirit of Oakland Park.
For more information on these groups:
Kiwanis– http://oaklandparkkiwanis.com or call (954)-321-4582
Rotary— www.rotary.org
All Saints– www.allsaintscatholicmission.com
Kids in Distress– http://www.kidsindistress.org or call (954)-390-7654
For more information on about Anthony Niedwiecki and his campaign, please visit www.Anthony09.com. Anthony welcomes your comments and can be reached at (954)319-5249 or by email at Anthony@anthony09.com.
