Page 5 - Mid Valley Times 12-17-20 E-edition

Thursday, December 17, 2020
KCUSD receives food distribution grant Mid Valley Times
The View From Here
With Christmas less than two weeks away, some people across the country are already receiving what they
call “the gift of a lifetime.” A healthcare worker, or nurse actually, working in Queens, New York was the first known person in the country to receive Pfzizer's BioNTech COVID-19 vac-
cine.
As the "vaccine cam-
paign" continues across the country, we've learned that first responders and those living in long term care fa- cilities will be up first to get it.
We’ve heard from fami- lies that one of the more difficult, if not the most dif- ficult part of the pandemic was not being able to visit their loved ones living in- side a long term care facil- ity.
According to information from the Center for Disease Control or the CDC, because the vaccine is expected to be limited at first, it will on- ly go to those who are most vulnerable and susceptible to contracting COVID-19.
A few of my friends who work in the Health Care in- dustry tell me they antici- pate getting the vaccine as soon as next week.
Those same friends also tell me they are not worried about the vaccine, or its pos- sible side effects.
Most I spoke to were more eager to get it done and over with so they could return to helping those in need.
The Kings Canyon Uni- fied School District received a grant through a couple of programs to help with hun- ger.
The grants, which provid- ed fresh produce to families experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were through a "Save the Children" program and a "No Kid Hungry" program.
"Nine schools in our dis- trict were selected to par- ticipate," said Renee Delport, the district's public informa- tion officer. "The distribu- tions took place at Jefferson Elementary School, and we have additional distributions that will also take place at various school sites in Or- ange Cove."
Each bag contained 15 lbs of produce including pota- toes, carrots, apples, onions and jalapenos. Additionally, bags were also provided for students participating in the district's after school pro- grams.
Juanita Adame
Photo Contributed
ABOVE: Students at Jefferson Elementary in Reedley held up bags of produce during the school's food distribution event. The event was made possible through a number of grant programs.
LEFT: From left, Miriam Carde- nas, Polly Rosalez, and Kari Larson held up some of the dis- tribution bags given to fami- lies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each bag contained produce and other items. Distri- butions in Orange Cove will be held in the upcoming days to also help families in those com- munities.
Photo Contributed
Sanger FFA hosts 'Winter Lights on the Farm'
Photo Contributed
Sanger FFA members posed next to some of the light up displays during the school's first annual "Winter Lights on the Farm" event.
Staff Report
The Sanger FFA club host- ed their first “Winter Lights on the Farm” event on the evening of Dec. 10 and called it a huge success.
“This post is to say thank you,” the club wrote in a statement. “Thank you to the whole community for making this such a successful night. Last night we collected over 500 Toys for Toys for Tots and over 300 toiletry items for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.”
The event featured a number of light up exhib- its for guests to enjoy and was held at the Sanger High
School Farm. The route began through the MPR parking lot from Bethel Avenue and con- tinued throughout the Ag Farm area.
There were also a number of tractors, plants, and ani- mals on display.
"Once again we are truly grateful for all the support," the department added. "A special thank you to all the community members, Sanger High School Staff, and chap- ter members who helped put on the event as it would not have been possible with out you all. We are hoping to make this an amazing tradi- tion for years to come."
Elk's Lodge recognize local first responders
Photo of the week
Contributed
The Elk's Lodge #2699 de- livered certificates of appre- ciation to local first respond- ers in late October and said the deliveries were in lieu to their annual "First Respond- er's Dinner" that normally takes place in April.
"Due to COVID-19 restric- tions, the dinner had to be canceled to adhere to Fresno County's requirements," said Marvin Elrod. "The Lodge still wanted to honor these brave individuals for their service to the community they live and work in."
The agencies and individ- uals recognized by the Elk's Lodge were: Cesar Cardenas, a detective with the Reedley Police Department. Dario Salazar, an officer with the Sanger Police Department. Eva Zimmerman, a police service technician with the Kingsburg Police Depart-
Contributed
From left, Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza, Marvin Elrod and Cesar Cardenas, a detective with the Reedley Police Department.
ment. Juan Carlos Torres, an officer with the Parlier Police Department. Jorge Gonzales, an officer with the Dinuba Police Department. Anthony Yanni, an officer with the Sel- ma Police Department. Bryan Montemayor, an officer with Orange Cove Police. Fire personnel also recognized
included, Juan Morales with Reedley Fire, Sean Doyle a battalion chief with Dinuba. Diego Rodrigues, a firefighter with Kingsburg. Adam Meliki- an, a former firefighter with Sanger. Melikian now works with the Visalia Fire Depart- ment, and Emanuel Guzman a firefighter with Orange Cove.
Contributed
Christmas pup. "Omega" is a 7-month old sheppard mix who was abandoned as a puppy on the countryside near Reed and Floral Avenue back in August. "She is blossoming into a fine dog citizen of Reedley," said her owner Eliana Oropeza. "This is her in front of the christmas tree." Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com.