Kid-focused community group seeks new ideas, members
By:
Jamie Hult, Staff writer
Kids test the slimy and spooky contents of the carved-out pumpkins on display at Brandon Edge’s community Halloween party Saturday at Brandon Elementary. Jamie Hult/BV Journal
Cat lady Kaya Olson and her SWAT team sidekick, Chet Wiersma, make an entrance at Saturday’s Halloween bash at Brandon Elementary. Jamie Hult/BV Journal
Four-year-old triplets Taylor, John and Aaron Nocek are ready for fun and games at the Brandon Edge Community Halloween Party Oct. 29. Jamie Hult/BV Journal
Brandon Edge brings Santa Claus to town. The Easter bunny, too.
If you’re a parent or grandparent who keeps kid-friendly events on your calendar, there’s a good chance you’ve been to one of the one dozen or so free activities Brandon Edge organizes every year.
The community service group stages an annual Easter egg hunt, a Punt, Pass & Kick at the Pigskin Classic and a babysitting clinic every March. For a small fee, they’ll even fill your sandbox in the spring.
“We’re proud of the work we do to provide recreational and educational opportunities for kids in the Brandon Valley area,” said Marla Meyer, who serves as co-president alongside Kim Brand. “If you’re a family looking for events in Brandon, you’ve probably seen us.”
It’s all done by volunteers, and it’s all about the kids.
“Brandon is growing, and a lot of people don’t know about us,” said Brand, who is relatively new to the community herself. “We’d like to get the word out to people.”
They’d also like to bring in new faces with fresh ideas and a few hours to spare.
Volunteers are asked to attend four events or meetings a year – as little as a 12-hour time commitment.
Brand has been part of Brandon Edge for two years.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot more people,” she said. “Just the kids and seeing the smiles – it’s very rewarding.”
Brandon Edge will be recruiting new members at the Brandon Expo, set for Nov. 11 at Brandon Valley High School. The lineup currently includes 40 local businesses and organizations, said Chamber president Kim Cerwick, and there’s room for more.
This past weekend, Brandon Edge hosted its annual community Halloween party at Brandon Elementary, and recently co-sponsored Family Fun Fest Oct. 9 at McHardy Park.
“You really do see the entire community at these events,” Meyer said. “It’s something families don’t have to plan for or budget for.”
Brandon Edge meets 7 p.m. on the second Friday of every month at Pizza Ranch. The group’s next meeting is Nov. 10.
To learn more, find them online at brandonedge.webs.com, facebook.com/brandonedgesd/ or email info@brandonedge.com.
See the full photo gallery on our website. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and select "Photo Gallery," or go to http://www.brandonvalleyjournal.com/content/brandon-edge-community-hallo...
