Latest news with #CommunityHouse
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Call for bakers to donate to annual appeal
By Dellwyn Moylan The aroma of freshly baked cookies, slices, cakes, loaves and muffins will be wafting through the kitchens of many caring Cantabrians over the next few days as they prepare for Bake My Day. The biennial event sees people bake and make homemade cards, which are then delivered by Safer Families Ashburton to older members of the community nominated to receive the little packages of care and kindness. Safer Families co-ordinator Anna Arrowsmith said about 100 packages were delivered last time they ran this project and the baking is very well received. The idea behind the baking is to show gratitude to the recipients for their contribution to the community, as well as being a highlight in their day. The project is run as part of Elder Abuse Awareness Week from June 15 to 22. ''Along with the baking and card we also take a bookmark about elder abuse,'' Arrowsmith said. ''Sadly in our community older members are being abused physically, emotionally, socially and financially. Often they don't know who to turn to or where to get help,'' Arrowsmith said. Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. Age Concern New Zealand says elder abuse was prevalent in New Zealand but often not reported. Kiwis can all play a part in speaking up, so older folk can be free from the fear, mental anguish, emotional pain, and distress the elder abuse causes. ''There are some very lonely people out there and so being able to drop of the baking to them is great. Sometimes the visit is just as important as the baking,'' Arrowsmith said. Baking, cards and cupcakes given for a previous Bake My Day event. PHOTO: SAFE FAMILILES ASHBURTON If Arrowsmith sees something that needs addressing when dropping off the baking, she will work with the person to get them help. Some schools are already on board with the project with pupils making cards and baking. Arrowsmith is also looking for people to put forward the names of those they think might like to receive some of the home made goodies. Baking can be dropped off to Anna Arrowsmith at Community House, 255 Moore St, Ashburton between June 16 and 18. For more information, call Anna on 027 722 3204.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Waverly Community House to unveil Underground Railroad historic marker
WAVERLY TWP. — Visitors at the Waverly Community House can learn about Waverly's role in the Underground Railroad with a historic marker outside the building. Community House staff will formally dedicate the marker on June 19 — Juneteenth — at 10 a.m. EJ Murphy, program manager for Destination Freedom, the interactive historical program that examines the township's history with a focus on its role in the Underground Railroad, will lead walking tours around the community house grounds following the dedication. The Destination Freedom gallery will also be open. The marker details the history of Waverly as it relates to the Underground Railroad and how the township connects with other municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania that were significant to the cooperative system among antislavery people in the United States by which Blacks were secretly helped to reach the North. It also highlights the abolitionists and formerly enslaved people, some of whom fought for the union during the Civil War, who made the area their home. 'It's just an overview of what you can learn here if you come and take our tour,' Murphy said. Posture Interactive of Scranton designed the sign, and the base was made by Pannier Graphics of Gibsonia. Funding for the marker came from two $5,000 grants from Lackawanna Heritage Valley and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, as well as donations through the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Murphy was inspired to add a sign detailing Waverly's role in the Underground Railroad after seeing it referenced in books on the secret network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans. The Underground Railroad is also mentioned on a state historic marker across from Hickory Grove Cemetery. 'I wanted to try to find a way that even if you're just walking around or even just walking your dog, you can kind of get a sense of the history that we offer here,' he said. * EJ Murphy, program manager for Destination Freedom, stands beside the base that will hold a historic marker that will detail Waverly's role in the Underground Railroad Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The Waverly Community House will dedicate the historic marker on Juneteenth. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo) * Gia Tugend, interim executive director of the Waverly Community House, looks through books on the American Civil War at the community house's archives Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo) * EJ Murphy, program manager for Destination Freedom, talks about some of the Civil War items on display at the Waverly Community House Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo) * A display of artifacts related to the American Civil War and the Underground Railroad is on display at the Waverly Community House Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo) Show Caption 1 of 4 EJ Murphy, program manager for Destination Freedom, stands beside the base that will hold a historic marker that will detail Waverly's role in the Underground Railroad Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The Waverly Community House will dedicate the historic marker on Juneteenth. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo) Expand In addition to being the home of several formerly enslaved African Americans, Waverly was home to people involved with the Underground Railroad. Murphy said the marker makes more people aware of that role. 'It's just a way for people to get that connection to this history that they might not otherwise be aware of,' he said. Destination Freedom guided tours began in 2017, and in 2022 they were added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, which connects sites throughout the U.S. Gia Tugend, the Waverly Community House's interim executive director, said the marker is in line with the community house's mission of education, recreation and culture. Murphy and Tugend said Juneteenth is a good way to recognize the abolition of slavery in the U.S. Destination Freedom, they added, shows the local connection to the fight to end slavery. 'I think local history makes something a little bit more tangible,' Tugend said. 'It allows people to actually see something in a different way. I feel like because they're able to be here and see the homes and see the churches and the locations on the tour … it adds a different perspective, and I feel like that's so important to us to be able to do that.' Destination Freedom tours will be offered Tuesdays at 2 p.m. during the summer months.
