Weekly Media Roundup - June 20, 2012

Ariana Zamarripa was one of 90 students in the just keep livin program at Arlington Sam Houston to meet the man who created it, actor Matthew McConaughey, last week. McConaughey partnered with the Texas Rangers last year and player Nelson Cruz has been an advocate for just keep livin. The foundation created an afterschool program where students learn about nutrition, exercise and wellness. Ariana told the Star-Telegram that McConaughey was “nice, and the just keep livin program has been great for me.”

 

Last week Brattleboro Area Middle School (BEAMS) afterschool students and families gathered to celebrate the end of the school year and help the local Humane Society with the program’s first dog show.  Twelve dogs participated in the fundraiser in categories like:  Best in Show, Funniest, Most Talented, Friendliest and Cutest. The dog show fundraiser helped to raise money for the Windham County Humane Society.

Afterschool Ambassador Kaide Dodson’s work with Libby afterschool programs was profiled in last weekend’s paper. Kaide told the Daily Inter Lake, “Parents are working, not home yet and there are no drop-in [community] centers where students can go.  Within our afterschool program we keep school open to provide activities and homework help.” 

In addition to her day job running an afterschool program for students in Hastings-on-Hudson in New York, Pam Koner is running a charity to send food and supplies to families in need across the country. Pam started Family-to-Family back in 2002 after reading that 51 percent of families with children were living below the poverty line in Pembroke, Illinois. Some of Pam’s students are also getting involved, collecting food items for area food pantries and books for schools or youth centers in less-advantaged towns.