Highlights is a 30 minute weekly TV show featuring organizations, events, grass-roots efforts and people who move our state and community forward in a positive way.
The show is a collaboration with Kanawha County Schools, Suddenlink Communications and Jim Strawn & Company.
The show airs daily at 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Suddenlink’s channel 17.
The show airing October 14, 2019 – October 21, 2019 highlights Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley & Charleston Celebrates GrandFamilies event.
We interviewed Amy Boggess, Board Member of Faith in Action of GKV. She discussed the goal and mission of the 5 1/2 year nonprofit organization. She describes it as neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers providing ‘honey do’ tasks or lending a helping hand in may seem simple, but is often the difference in an persons life.
If you are an older adult in Kanawha or Putnam County who wishes to remain independent while maintaining your dignity and quality of life, Amy encourage you to contact Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley to learn more about the services their caring and compassionate volunteers can provide. The first step is to complete a brief application to give them more information about yourself and the ways a volunteer can make a difference in your life.
Approximately 500 older Kanawha Valleyians receive assistance from Faith in Action.
If you would like to volunteer, receive help, learn more or make a donation, contact them at 304-881-7253.
The 4th Annual Pedal with Purpose is set for October 26th from noon – 4:00 p.m. at Oakes Field in South Charleston, WV. This is a 5K Run, Walk, or Bike Ride for FUN! And to raise FUNds for a worthy cause.
There will also be a bike safety rodeo and a helmet fitting. provided by Dennis Strawn, and giveaway for kids 16 and under, while supplies last. Children ages 12 and under are also invited to decorate their bicycles, tricycles, scooters, or wagons and lead the riders onto the course with an opening parade lap.
Registration for Pedal with Purpose is $25. Children 12 and under participate in the day’s activities FREE with a paid adult. People who register before October 13th will receive a free event T-shirt. To register, or for more information, visit www.faithinactiongkv.com or call 304-881-7253.
We also interviewed Meaghan Goffreda, Assisist Director of WV Drug Intervention Institute and Mackenzie Spencer, Information Specialist for City of Charleston.
The City of Charleston is hosting a Celebration of GrandFamilies on October 19, 2019 from 1-4:00 p.m. at the North Charleston Community Center with several local partners including: Charleston Police & Fire Department, Step by Step, WVSU, PAAC, UC and the WV Drug II.
Meaghan discussed grandfamilies and how we arrived at this point in our WV history.
The roots of Grandparents Day (celebrated each September) go back to 1956 and a West Virginia mother named Marian McQuade. While helping to organize a community celebration for those over 80, she became aware of the many nursing home residents who were forgotten by their families. She wanted a holiday to bring attention to these forgotten individuals and to honor all grandparents. And, in 1973, West Virginia became the first state to have such a day.
Almost 50 years later, the focus is once again on grandparents. This time for a completely different reason. West Virginia is second in the nation for grandparents raising grandchildren. Also known as “kinship care,” a growing number of grandparents are now taking on the parenting role for their grandchildren. This trend is in large part due to the opioid epidemic.
In fact, grandparents are the unsung and forgotten heroes of this wretched epidemic. They are working hard to combat adverse childhood experiences (better known as ACEs) by providing their grandchildren with a stable home all while navigating a system that is often challenging at best. Navigating one’s rights, the school system, and social service networks can be confusing and often frustrating.
She discussed the positives of having grandparents in the grandkids life.
Mackenzie talked about the event. The City is so excited to bring information, resources, education, fun, activites and of course food and drink to our grandfamilies. ALL are welcome. Bring the kids as there is plenty to engage them.
She also explained that The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and the City of Charleston’s Coordinated Addiction Response Effort (CARE) coordinated this free event honoring grandparents raising grandchildren.
Call 304-348-1090 for more information.
THE EVENT IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
If you would like to learn more about the Highlights TV Show, contact Host and Executive Producer Jim Strawn at 304-541-4756.
