Polo, Programs, Pantry, and Summer Prep

February 2020 Newsletter

It may be the shortest month of the year, but it hasn’t felt like it here at the MLK! We’ve been busy with events, food drives, and yes – preparation for Summer 2020. Check it out:

Newport Polo has partnered with the MLK Community Center for the 9th annual Beach Polo exhibition this weekend, the highlight of the 32nd annual Newport Winter Festival. This year’s two-day polo exhibition will take place at 1 pm on Saturday, February 22nd and 1 pm on Sunday, February 23rd at 2nd Beach in Middletown, RI (weather permitting). Free admission and parking! Be sure to bring a donation of non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or household items to stock the MLK’s food pantry. We’ll see you there! Facebook event

Summer Adventure Camp 2020

Your child will enjoy a summer filled with fun and learning at the MLK Community Center’s Summer Adventure Camp! Our team of certified teachers help campers make and maintain academic strides in math, literacy, and science through hands-on activities and field trips.

Who: Students entering 1st grade through entering 5th grade

What: The MLK’s Summer Camp is $170 per week, per camper. DHS Accepted and scholarships are available.

When: June 22 – Aug. 21, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm* (after & before care available at an additional charge)

For more information or to apply, please contact Sally Swistak, Education Director, by phone at (401) 846-4828 , or by email.

SAVE THE DATE: Our 24th annual Swing into Spring ‘party with a purpose’ will be held on Friday, April 24th at the Atlantic Resort at Wyndham Newport Hotel in Middletown, RI from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. This year, Swing into Spring is getting a bit of a face lift – you won’t want to miss all of the surprises we have in store for you! This event will sell out, so purchase your tickets early. TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP

Rotary BBQ Dinner

Above: Deanna Conheeny and Patrick Burke (wearing the coveted Lottery Ticket Hat!) of the Middletown Rotary pose with Alyson Novick and Heather Hole Strout of the MLK Center.

We are humbled by the outpouring of support that was shown at last Wednesday’s Middletown Rotary BBQ Buffet to support the MLK Community Center. The Rotary Club’s efforts raised a record-breaking $26,507 for the MLK’s Hunger Services programs. A special thanks to the Middletown Rotary for their hours of work, and to everyone at the Atlantic Resort at Wyndham Newport Hotel for their continued support.

Join Our Team

We’re hiring! We are still accepting resumes for the following positions:

Summer Literacy Teacher

Summer Camp Staff

More Information

Ton of Love Food Drive

It’s that time of year again: time for the ,,Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce‘s Ton of Love Food Drive to benefit the MLK Community Center! Throughout the month of February, donate funds, nonperishable food, and/or personal items at businesses around Newport (list of participating businesses available in the Facebook event).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sat, Feb. 1 – Feb. 29: Ton of Love Food Drive
Fri, Feb. 7 – Fri. April 10: AARP: Free Tax Preparation Services (Detailed info. here)
Sun, Feb. 22: Newport Beach Polo & food drive to benefit the MLK
Tues, Feb. 25: Lunch & Learn: Arthritis & Musculoskeletal Health (Free; RSVP)
Weds, Feb. 26: MLK Friends Dinner, 5:30 pm (Free community dinner, RSVP)
Weds, March 11: Education Dinner & Newport String Project performance, 5:30 pm (Free for families in our education program; RSVP)
Tues, March 17: Lunch & Learn: The Importance of Sleep with Dr. Gaines of Lifespan (Free; RSVP)
Weds, March 25: MLK Friends Dinner, 5:30 pm (Free community dinner, RSVP)
Tues, March 31: Lunch & Learn: Topic TBD (Free; RSVP)

Weekly Community Programming

“LivFit” Nutrition & Cooking Class

Tuesdays 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Thursdays 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Please RSVP with Kristin: (401) 368-7614

Community Art Class

Thursdays 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Community Zumba

Fridays 10:00 am-11:00 am

All classes are free & suitable for all skill levels. All are welcome & no pre-registration required, unless otherwise stated.

Audrain Concours Foundation

The MLK is proud to be 1 of 5 nonprofits awarded a charitable donation from the Audrain Concours Foundation from the inaugural 2019 Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week. The MLK Community Center received $15,000 at the premier of the documentary “Best In Class: The Making of a Concours d’Elegance” at Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center.

MARCH MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES:

3/3 Bayside Village (Newport)

4 – 5:30 pm

3/6 Festival Field (Newport),

12 – 2 pm

3/10 Donovan Manor (Newport),

12 – 2 pm

3/13 Quaker Estates (Portsmouth), 12 – 2 pm

3/17 AHEPA II Apartments (Newport), 12 – 2 pm

3/20 Hancock Estates (Tiverton),

12 – 2 pm

3/21 Parkholm Senior Center (Newport),