1️⃣ This Week’s Highlights
- Soup & Chili Cook-Off was a hit. Thank you to everyone who brought a soup or chili—everything was truly delicious. Congratulations to our winners:
- 1st Place: Lisa VanDyk
- 2nd Place: Margarita Gonzalez
- 3rd Place: Keely Newbeck
- Kroc Employee Bingo is officially underway. This is your chance to explore different areas of the Kroc, connect with other departments, and earn a new Kroc shirt when you get a bingo. The challenge runs February 9–March 8. Stop by the Fitness Desk to pick up your bingo card and jump in—activities are designed to help you move, learn, and connect across teams. Please hold onto your card until you complete a bingo (don’t lose it). Hourly staff: complete bingo activities outside your scheduled work hours or during breaks, and check with your department manager if you have questions. Need modifications? Fitness and Aquatics can help adjust activities to match your abilities. Pick up your card at the Fitness Desk and join the fun.
- Saturday: Judo Tournament — Fireside and Gym (all day); set-up begins Friday at 5:00 PM
- If you are here on Saturday, please watch for wanderers and help keep guests in the appropriate areas.
2️⃣ Program Updates
- Winter 1 Session Week 7 (make-up week)
- Monday: Water Aerobics
- Tuesday: Two evening swim lessons
- Tuesday: Tumbling
- Martial Arts ends this week
- Winter 2 registration ends Wednesday (2/18)
- Camp registration continues
- Fitness & Employee Bingo continues
3️⃣ Facility Notices 🛠️
Rentals
- Tuesday: GR Rec Sports Volleyball — Gym, 8:00–10:00 PM
- Friday: First Steps Kent County — Fireside, 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
4️⃣ Staff Announcements 🎉
Green Dot Moments & Staff Shoutouts
- Shout out to David C. for handling a variety of issues Monday morning.
- Shout out to David and Eddie for their quick action in getting kids safely off the pond ice.
- Shout out to the EET Committee for hosting the Soup and Chili Cook-Off.
- Shout out to Lucy for her patience and consistently positive interactions.
- Shout out to Caden for helping a member who is deaf feel welcomed and supported.
- Shout out to David Flowers for his strong work and support in the gym.
- Shout out to Kent ISD for allowing students to be part of the Kroc Center community.
- Shout out to Brent for mentoring a student through Kids Hope.
- Shout out to Lucy for her help during a tour.
- Shout out to Thomas for helping get the pool opened this morning.
- Shout out to all staff who responded to and radioed out Code 9s last week.
- Shout out to Ivy for her leadership and steady work in Child Watch.
📌 Open Positions at the Kroc Center
- Lifeguard
- Fitness Attendant
- Fitness Lead
- Swim Instructor
- Fitness Instructor
- UPREP Instructor
- Apply here: grkroccenter.org/learn-more/careers
5️⃣ Reminders & Resources 📌
- Friday–Sunday: Lifeguard Training
- Sunday: CPR Training — Fireside A/B, 12:00–5:00 PM
✝️ Note from the Pastor
As we are now officially in the new year, many of us bring into it hurts, habits, and hang-ups from the last year. We are mindful to set new goals and to make great efforts to improve ourselves mentally, physically, spiritually, and even financially. These are commendable goals to pursue—but if we are not careful, they can hold us back when they become too lofty.
If we carry the weight of the past into the new year while also setting big goals for ourselves to accomplish in 2024, we can quickly become overwhelmed and feel defeated in a very short amount of time.
There is no doubt the Apostle Paul understood this well as he strove to be his best for the work set before him while preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
So remember this year, as you work to set and achieve goals, do your best to let go of the past and look ahead to what Jesus has for you. Keep your heart and your mind fixed on Him, and you will have the victory.
– Captain Jack Huffman
🙏 Prayer Requests
- Azonna – Praying for a stronger year ahead, with hope, healing, and renewed strength.
- Alicia – Praying for two aunts who are ill: one recovering at home and one receiving care in the hospital.
- Naya – Praying for good health and protection over her family in the new year.
- Shila – Praying for her daughter’s mental health, peace, and the right support and resources.
- Desirae – Praying for meaningful employment soon to help provide for her family.
