Kiwanis supports SOAR

Sisters’ kids will be skating, painting, studying, and working on computers at SOAR thanks to a gift from Kiwanis. Last week, Sisters Kiwanis gave Sisters Organization for Activities & Recreation (SOAR) $4,500.

Kiwanis Club President Jeff McDonald said SOAR was an easy choice for the charitable gift.

“There are so many people in the community who benefit,” said McDonald.

The gift money was a combination of funds raised by Ray’s Food Place and the club. Kiwanis earmarked the money for two things. The bulk of the gift, $3,000, goes toward scholarships to help kids participate who wouldn’t be able to do so otherwise. The scholarship gifts range from a $50 sport camp to a much higher amount for preschool. Around 300 kids participate in SOAR each year through scholarships.

The remaining $1,500 goes toward SOAR’s new concrete skateboarding facility. McDonald said Kiwanis knows the skateboard park will be safer for kids and will provide “a sense of comfort” for parents.

“It gives kids a really safe place to do it,” said SOAR’s new Managing Director Carrie Ward.

She said the skate park is to be built next to SOAR’s office. Ward said skating often attracts kids who don’t choose team sports in school. Ward hopes the $22,000 skate park, complete with jumps and ramps, will be open within a year.

Ward called the gift “pretty amazing” and pointed out SOAR has a history of benefiting from Kiwanis.

“Kiwanis was the catalyst for SOAR,” said Ward.