Cookies with Santa: Cookies with Santa is this Saturday, December 15 from 2-5pm. We’ll have snacks and beverages, plus some fun activities and a chance to get a picture with Santa. The event is FREE for members, and only $1 per person for non-members. No registration is required, just show up! If you would like to help in any way, please contact Jon Shaner or Heather Morrison.
Toy Donations for Kroc Kids: Every year, The Salvation Army of Kent County distributes thousands of toys to families in need during the Christmas season, along with food vouchers, utility assistance, and all our other social services.
In the past, the Kroc Center has been able to give some of those toys to kids at the Kroc who may not otherwise get a Christmas gift, specifically children in RJ’s After School Academy, Kids Hope USA at Brookside Elementary, and within Church at the Kroc.
Unfortunately, toy donations to The Salvation Army are down significantly across the area.So, we are looking for a total of 60 toys to meet the needs of the programs listed above. If you wish to help, we encourage you to purchase a toy for a child between the ages of 5-12, valued at no more than $25. You can simply drop it off at the Welcome Desk when you are here… the deadline is this Friday, December 14.
Fine Arts Event this Tuesday: We are very excited to announce our first ever theater performance written, directed, and performed by Kroc Center participants! Our first drama class has been working very hard over the past 5 weeks with writer and director Lewis Richards, and co-director Kayleigh McKeehan to put together an original stage performance. Some of the students are seasoned actors and some are experiencing their first time on stage, so we would love to show them all the Kroc love possible! Please join us on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00pm in the WPAC to enjoy a live, 30-minute performance and support and celebrate the wonderful work of the instructors and students. Seating is first come first serve. If you have any questions, please contact Alyson Rodriguez.
$5 Swim Lessons: The early bird deadline is this Tuesday! As a reminder, all Kroc members can sign up for a six-week session of basic swim lessons (including Parent & Child, Preschool, Learn-to-Swim Level 1, and Adult Basics) for only $5 before December 11. These classes are starting to fill up, so please encourage people to act quickly.
Christmas Break Day Camp: From the desk of Camp Kroc supervisor Jessica Pollins:
“There will be three days of day camp each of the two weeks of Christmas Break — Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4. Each week is $75 for members, $90 for non-members; or, pay by the day ($26 members, $38 non-members). We will also be offering a special discount for staff of $17 per day per child. Be sure to register by December 21 at the welcome desk.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions!”
Send an email to RJ Kroc if you see someone going above and beyond for our guests! Here are some examples from this week:
- RJ’s After School Academy staff continues to meet the needs of our kids. Every day as a team, they try to figure out how each child will get home and patiently waits with the children for their rides, even after the program has been done for a while. Great work, team!
- Lewis Richards continues to give support to ALL of our members each day. Such a talented guy! From instructing in dance, to teaching fitness in the pool, to leading our theater arts class. Thank you Lewis for continuing to meet the needs of our members and the center.
- One of my favorite things about being MOD is watching the welcome desk saying farewell to each member by name at the end of the night. Great work, keep it up!
- Great job to Lisa and Danielle for their great recognition and response to an emergency Tuesday night! Thank you to Nick and Theresa in Aquatics for helping out with first aid as well.
- Heather was awesome and helped me with my own fail in ordering the babysitter training pizza. It was like my mistake never happened. Thank you Heather! She also made the staff’s day when she gave them the leftover elephant ears and caramel corn from the event.
Here are some of the upcoming events at the Kroc Center:
- City of GR: Wednesday, 5-8pm, Fireside A/B
- Real Estate Training: Thursday, 8:45am-4:45pm, Fireside B
- Housing Coalition: Thursday, 9:30-11:30am, Fireside C
- GRAB Christmas Lunch: Friday, 10am-2:30pm, Fireside Hall
- DST Youth Group: Saturday, 10am-12pm, Fireside A/B
- Cookies with Santa: Saturday, 2-5pm, WPAC
Managers on Duty:
- AM (Open to 10am): Paul Wood
- Midday (10am-3pm): Crystal Truong
- PM (3pm to close): Albert Montiel (Monday – Melissa Roemer)
- Saturday, December 15 (12-7pm): Albert Montiel
- Sunday, December 16 (1-5pm): Crystal Truong
New to the Krew: Please make sure to say hello to our new colleagues!
Victoria Stedman – Fitness Attendant, Steve Lenhard – Building Attendant, Kelsey Nykamp – Fitness Attendant, Anna Schlutt – Lifeguard, Sidney Tonkin – Lifeguard, Cathleen Zuzelski – Welcome Desk Attendant
Job Openings: Apply online through The Salvation Army Central Territory’s Career Portal. Also, remember you will be rewarded with a free cookie coupon for everyone you refer for a job at the Kroc Center! The need for new staff is growing. Please refer anyone and everyone you can!
- Gym Attendant
- Art Instructor
- Lifeguard
- Climbing Wall Attendant
- Building Attendant
- Music Instructor
- Fitness Instructor
- Fitness Lead
- Archery Instructor
- Soccer Instructor
- Swim Instructor
- Water Fitness Instructor
- Welcome Desk Attendant
- FitKids Schools Coordinator
- 10: Ruth Vander Weide, Welcome Desk Attendant
- 11: Brenda Lee, original singer of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
