A Picnic in the Park
June 19, 2008
It was truly a hot day in June when our Amachi Picnic got under way. There was a lot of food and a very special set of games for all who attended. This was a gathering of mentors and mentees (children) who participate in our Amachi Program through the Knoxville Leadership Foundation. Amachi is a Nigerian word which means “Who knows but what God has brought us through this child.” The children who participate in this program have one or both parents incarcerated. There were also a number of volunteers that enjoyed the picnic with us. One of those was heard to say, “I’m not sure who’s having more fun here, the kids or the adults.” One reason for the merriment was our Positive Goofball Olympics. Positive because there were no losers in our contests, only winners and wow’ers. The winners obviously came in first in the contest and won a little prize; the wow’ers tried hard and were rewarded with a big hand at the end of each contest. Goofball because they were really goofy games, like the Fluff Run, where the teams ran with a spoon in their mouth with a cotton ball on it; or the Penny Toss where we judged which mentee/mentor team could throw the most pennies in a floating dish. And at the end, everyone received an Olympic metal with WINNER on it. That’s what this program is all about, helping children be all that they can be and we are always looking for mentors to help make this happen. If you would like to make a real difference in the life of one of these Children of Promise, please call Mildred Westfield at (865) 524-2774, or e-mail her at mwestfield@klf.org.
Cityscapes is written by Chris Martin, President, Knoxville Leadership Foundation.
