Gearing up for 11th annual block party

Check out this article from the Norman Transcript about our upcoming block party: 

NORMAN — The Center for Children and Families is gearing up for its 11th annual “I Love My Neighborhood Block Party” next month near Wilson Elementary School.

Block party competition, 2010

Chelsea Turner, program specialist for CCFI’s Neighborhood Centers, said the party will be noon to 2 p.m. April 9 in the parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church, 801 N. Peters Ave. Families can expect games, food and crafts.

The event will give families an opportunity to visit information booths set up by local organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Turner said. Vendors will supply food, and music will be provided.

Turner said about 1,000 people attended last year’s party.

Balloon animals being made, 2010 block party

“We’re just trying to reach out to the community and neighborhood to get everyone together,” she said.

Those who attend also can learn more about CCFI’s Neighborhood Centers program.

Turner said the Neighborhood Centers are available at Kennedy and Wilson elementary schools and Irving and Longfellow middle schools. The centers operate from 3:50 to 5:15 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at Irving Middle School and at the same times Tuesday and Thursday at Longfellow Middle School. Operation hours are later for elementary schools.

Mega slide, 2009

Turner said the centers are open 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at Kennedy Elementary School and at the same time Tuesday and Thursday at Wilson Elementary School.

“We operate every day that they have school,” she said. “Our program is completely free and we have arts and crafts.” Turner said children also receive snacks.

For more information on this years block party click here.