KIDS, KIDS, KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 2:00-4:30 PM
Womble Park Band Shelter area

In case you have not heard, Kids Appreciation Day is happening again for the seventh year in Holly Springs . It’s a traditional springtime Snow Ball Social for Holly Springs ’ kids and their families to rally at Womble Park band shelter to celebrate the end of the school year and to recognize their classmates who are chosen by their schools as “Terrific Kids.” 

Over the years it has evolved into a festival with local vendors, rides, entertainment, raffles, and refreshments, but still a free event for kids. Local vendors join in the end-of-the-school year celebration by offering fun things to do and handing out goodies at their booths for the kids. The Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs and the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation co-sponsor the event each year along with several local and statewide sponsors.

The Terrific Kids ceremony is a project sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs and endorsed by the local schools.  TERRIFIC is an acronym meaning: Thoughtful Enthusiastic Respectful Responsible Inclusive Friendly Inquisitive Capable. 

 The “cool” thing about being a Terrific Kid is there is not just one kind of Terrific Kid—they are all different.  In other words, there is no "rubber stamp" for what makes a kid Terrific.  So their teachers have a lot of leeway in identifying what makes a child a Terrific kid.

Last year in particular, one child was identified by her school because she was such a good friend to newcomers and the kids who hang in the periphery.  There was also the child from an Eastern Block country who had made incredible strides learning English.  Another because he was always exploring things scientific in and out of the classroom, but most get the award for academic gains and their gifts of the spirit and soul.

Holly Springs ’ kids are the coolest and they really look forward to this big event each year!

“Working with the schools to identify children for the Terrific Kids awards is one of my favorite community activities,says Chandler Cobb, Kiwanis Secretary.  “These kids are the promise and future of our Town.  Recognizing them encourages other children to achieve and lets them know that we appreciate their hard work in school and dedication to each other and the community.”

Last year the following kids were awarded Terrific Kid awards. 

Holly Ridge Elementary:  Laura Briggs, Brandon Pinnette, Bryan Beck, Matt Wooten, and Jada Hutchinson.
Holly Grove Elementary School:  Landon Flemming, Halle Neering, Breanna Schitzslein, and Hannah Holt
Holly Ridge Middle School : Kasey O’Hara, Emily Miller, Emily Czerman, and Lauren Kalainikas

What do other kids say?  “I really like working at Kids Appreciation Day,” says Rebecca Bailey, an 8^th grader at Holly Ridge Middle School and Vice-President of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board.  “It is kids working for kids and I am learning a lot.  It is cool.”

"The Holly Springs High School Key Club is looking forward to this year's Kids' Appreciation Day, says Karen Burden, Holly Springs High School English Department Chairperson and Key Club Advisor.    “A priority of the club's service is the support of young children and their needs.  The club enjoys working this event in cooperation with our sponsoring Kiwanis Club." 

Besides the Terrific Kids Ceremony kids will enjoy blow-up rides donated by F&M Entertainment, a DJ donated by Holly Springs Parks and Recreation, pizza donated by NY Pizza, Pelican Snow Balls, Popcorn donated by Kraft YMCA, and numerous raffle items donated by many businesses such as Carolina Hurricanes, Blockbuster Video, Absolute Skate Shop, Holly Springs School of Dance, The Collector-Connection, All About Wellness, to name a few. 

Vendors such as Jump Zone, Primrose School of West Lake, ThirtyOne Gifts, LaBoutique for Kids, American Heart Association, Creative Wiring Solutions, Nancy Sudano-Mary Kay Cosmetics, InsideHollySprings.com, The Goddard School, signed up to give out goodies to the kids and to meet Holly Springs' families and we expect more as we get closer to the event.

“One of the comments I am hearing from vendors and companies donating raffle items is that it is a very inexpensive way to advertise to a large group of Holly Springs citizens,” says Linda Hunt Williams, Charter Kiwanian member and event coordinator.  “With the current economic times, businesses are looking for ways that they can keep up their commitment to the community and get the word out about their products and services. We welcome money donations, vendors or raffle items and are grateful for our business community’s continued support of our kids who are the future of Holly Springs .” 

There is no vendor fee, but vendors must register and there are some requirements.

Event is free for kids.  Their parents and guardians welcome.* 

For more information about the event and how to be a sponsor or vendor or just to attend, please go to www.HollySpringsKiwanis.org or call Linda Hunt Williams at 919-303-4898.

*At Registration Table, each child will get a free ticket for the Kiwanis community raffles, a free piece of pizza and drink, and one Snowball.  Additional tickets can be purchased for a nominal cost for adults and children as needed.