Delegate Kipke raises funds for Freetown Field Trip
Nic Kipke was contacted by Amy Lewis, a 5th grade teacher at Freetown Elementary School about her quest to take the students on a Living Classrooms Shipboard Program in November. Freetown Elementary School is a title one school in Anne Arundel County. The trip would cost over $1500, money that was not readily available for the students.
Understanding what this experience could bring to these students, Kipke immediately set into action a plan to organize local businesses and community members to fund the trip. Many people do not realize the Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and one of the largest in the entire world. Anne Arundel County has more shoreline than any other in our nation, yet many of these fifth graders have never been on a boat nor even swum in our bay. Lewis and Kipke saw this trip as an opportunity to give these children a new perspective of Maryland's greatest natural resource and broaden their view of the world.
An excerpt from the Living Classrooms website reads, “The programs serve students from a variety of backgrounds and economic means and range in length from one-day expeditions for school and youth groups to extended shipboard and land/sea programs. Participants see how academic skills are used in the real world. Leadership and teamwork are key objectives as students work together to raise and lower sails, trawl for marine life, perform scientific tests, and explore the commerce, history, natural resources, and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay.”
Generous local sponsors opened their hearts and check books and donated a total of $1200. The trip will take place on Monday, November 10th. On Thursday, November 6th at 2:30 p.m., Delegate Kipke will present Amy Lewis and the 5th grade students the funds for the trip. The students, teachers and chaperones will also be presented with t-shirts embossed with a crab drawn by Deonte Evans, one of the students who will be participating.
Several students were asked what they thought about the trip, here are two student's responses:
I would like to go out on the ships in the Chesapeake Bay so that I can see what the water really looks like and see what kind of fish live in there, if I'm lucky.
Lenox Hall
Freetown Elementary 5th grader
I would like to go out on the ships in the Chesapeake Bay because it would be cool looking out on a big blue bay.
Asia Wright
Freetwoen Elementary 5th grader
Many thanks to the local businesses and individuals who supported this event: Dillon's Bus Service, Red Sun Custom Apparel, Under Armour, AM PM Marine, Compass Marketing, Maryland State Medical Society, Kevin Kess, Jill Fellman, Lil' Tykes Family Day Care, John and Kathy Long, and Carole Frank.
Kipke Supports Kami's Jammies Charity
On Sunday, July 20 Delegate Kipke was honored to be a guest judge for a very special Fashion Show to benefit the Casey Cares Foundation. About 100 kids ages 2-15 modeled their very best pajamas on a runwalk at the Chesapeake Arts Theatre in Brooklyn Park. This unusual fashion show benefited the Kami's Jammies Program that provides pajamas to children with illnesses that cause them to stay overnight in Baltimore Area hospitals for extended periods. The program collects pajamas so that they can be worn instead of a hospital gown. The program coordinator is Debi Katzenberger, an energetic advocate for children, she has done amazing job leading this program to provide such a valuable comfort for sick kids.
This event collected 100 pairs of PJ's and raised funds. If you would like more information about how you can support Kami's Jammies please visit the Casey Cares Foundation website.
Charity Bartending for Autism
At the Rockfish Restaurant in Annapolis on Tuesday, March 18 from 9 – 10:00pm, Delegate Kipke will join three other Delegates to raise money to support efforts to identify and help children and families living with Autism. Nic Kipke is an advocate for Autism awareness, treatment, and research. To learn about what you can do to help please visit Pathfinders for Autism.
Kipke Sponsors Winter Relief Project for Homeless
On November 11, 2007 Delegate Kipke supported the Our Lady of the Chesapeake Auction to benefit their winter homeless shelter project. This project will provide shelter, hospitality, and resources to approximately 35 homeless men of our community for a week in January. For more information about how you can support efforts to help the homeless in Anne Arundel County please visit arundelhoh.org.
Kipke raises funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 9 - 10am, Delegate Kipke was at Safeway Grocery Store in Lake Shore Plaza volunteering as a guest bagger to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment. A special thanks goes out to all who stopped in at his station.
Thamby Children Benefit
Delegate Kipke sponsored the Thamby Children Benefit held at La Fontaine Bleu on Friday July 27, 2007 at 8:00pm. This event raised money for the three Thamby Children, from Brooklyn Park, who are tragically left without parents to raise them. For more information on how you can help please contact Nic Kipke or to make a donation please visit any M&T Bank, checks are payable to the Thamby Children Trust Fund.
Habitat for Humanity
On September 24, 2005, the Kipke Team worked with Habitat for Humanity from 8:00am-4:00pm to restore a house in Brooklyn Park Maryland. Have a look at what we accomplished!