Rec Club Teens Spread Cheer in Annual “Ring and Run”
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A dozen teenagers stifle giggles as they creep towards an apartment building in Spring Valley on a mid-December night.
When they get to the right door, every kid puts something on the porch. They can’t believe no one’s seen them.
One finger rings the doorbell; a hand bangs on the door; some kids are already running away. The storm of feet makes neighbors look out windows, but the group hurls themselves into a waiting van and they’re off.
Back at the apartment, a mom comes to the door. Momentarily confused, now she sees what’s happened.
Her porch is completely covered — with brightly wrapped presents for the kids and a frozen turkey, stuffing and everything else for the holiday feast she thought the family would have to skip.
This festive and caring prank called “Ring and Run,” is an annual tradition of the Rec Clubs at Parks and Recreation’s Spring Valley and Lakeside Teen Centers. Every year, the Rec Clubs identify families in need and collect donations from the community.
The exciting twist on community service gives the Rec Club members a positive feeling about civic participation and connects them to their neighbors.
The Rec Club Ring and Run has helped 65 families in Spring Valley and Lakeside over 10 years.
The goal of the Rec Clubs is to provide a safe, fun, positive environment free of violence, drugs, prejudice, and racism. The middle and high school kids in the after-school and summer program participate in all kinds of physical, artistic, leadership, educational and community service activities that help them grow.
Ryan Flickinger, our County’s Program Coordinator for the Lakeside Rec Club, calls the annual fundraiser, “one of the most rewarding things I’ve done at my job.”
The Lakeside and Spring Valley Rec Clubs are getting ready for this year’s “Ring and Run” and are seeking donations of cash or checks, frozen hams or turkeys, boxed mashed potatoes, gravy packets, stuffing, canned food, dinner rolls and unwrapped gifts for children of all ages.
Any County employee who wants to support Ring and Run can drop off items at the Parks and Recreation County Operations Center office at 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 410. Donations can also be dropped off at the Lakeside Teen Club at 9911 Vine Street, or contact Ryan Flickinger at 619-443-4169.
Check out these videos that capture the Ring and Run’s excitement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mSFUCMADLQ