It’s official. Another summer is in the books. Football season is upon us and leaves are turning colors at Warner Park. As the center gears up for the fall, I wanted to share a few updates from the summer and upcoming activities at the WPCRC. 

Madison Parks and the Madison Parks Foundation sponsored the “Say YES to KNOW” (Kids Need Opportunities at Warner) fundraising event Aug. 21. The event was hosted by the Madison Mallards and created awareness about the KNOW initiative and ways the community could get involved. I am proud to announce that the event raised $40,000 to support Northside youth programs at the WPCRC and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Madison Parks Foundation. Thank you to everyone who made a contribution during the campaign.

We also want to thank our members and participants for supporting the Second Annual Back-to-School Supply Drive. WPCRC collected backpacks and school supply donations and distributed them to Northside students at the JP Hair Design Back-to-School Free Haircuts event Aug. 25. 

A big thank you to Schultz Vending LLC for donating food and snacks to the WPCRC. Their weekly donation allows us to offer a food and snack center for teens after school and gives us the ability to assist youth who may have food insecurities.

WPCRC will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary Friday, Oct. 11. We will have a day filled with activities, live entertainment and free drop-in classes, culminating with a presentation and Family Fun Night. Admission to the October Family Fun Night will be free to commemorate the 20th Anniversary. A big thank you to our partners, Northside Planning Council, NewBridge and MSCR for sponsoring the event. I hope to see you at the celebration as we “Party Like It’s 1999.”