Dixon Family Services

Press Release, February, 2013                    

18^th ANNUAL DIXON COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 10AM-2PM

WOMEN’S IMPROVEMENT PARK, NEAR DIXON LIBRARY

Dixon Family Services Block Party committee members are planning The 18^th Annual Dixon Community Block Party to promote awareness of child abuse prevention as well as provide health and safety information to the community of Dixon.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the agency uses the event to encourage parents to involve their children in safe and healthy activities that are available in our community.  Youth organizations, sports, scouts, gymnastics, karate, afterschool programs and others will be on hand to assist parents in signing up.  Dixon Youth Soccer has been using the Block Party as the first sign-up event for many years.

Each year many local youth groups participate in the Block Party in order to raise funds and/or perform community service.  The Block Party committee recommends that booking is done early, as the concessions will not be duplicated. All food and drink items intended for sale are on a first come, first served basis. This is done so no group will be in competition with others for sales.

The intent of the Block Party is to bring people together, young and old, to have fun, and learn ways to keep our children active, safe and healthy. The day will be fun, interesting, and entertaining for everyone.

Admission to the community Block Party is free and so are many of the activities. Many organizations give out free gifts to party go-ers, such as balloons, pencils, and other items.

An even larger number of businesses and groups provide free craft making, face painting, plant making, live animals to pet and other fun activities throughout the day.

Block Party sponsorships from First 5 Solano and The Dixon ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) City Team allow organizers to offer a free jump house for children to enjoy each year as well as defray the expenses of stage rental, portable bathrooms and other essential items.

Dixon Family Services is also looking for volunteers to help organize, help set up the party, monitor the jump house, and other tasks.

Local youth take the stage with singing, dancing, and karate.  Organizers ask that youth groups wishing to perform call Dixon Family Services as early as possible, for stage scheduling.

Dixonites are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity for a free, fun, and safe family day right here in our own community park.

Block Party organizers welcome more participation and anyone interested should call Dixon Family Services. There is also a list of suggestions for concessions and activities for those who wish to get involved but don’t know how. Those interested should call 678-0442 and ask for Cookie or leave a message on extension 102.

Questions regarding this press release can be directed to Cookie Powell, Thank you.

Phone: 678-0442  Fax: 678-4014        Email: cookie@dixonfamilyservices.org

PRESS RELEASE   February 21, 2013

Contact person:  Cookie Powell (707) 678-0442, cookie@dixonfamilyservices.org

• April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and the Month of the Child.

• It is time again for the Dixon Advocates for Children and Youth (DAC) Logo Contest.

• DAC is a committee of Dixon Family Services and at their last meeting the Advocates agreed on a theme for 2013 – “Fun Can Be Free!”

• Our goal is to highlight the many possibilities for kids and families to have fun, even at a time when family budgets are stretched to a point that movies, theme parks and other expensive activities are not feasible.

• The contest is open to all Dixon youth, from preschool to high school seniors.

• In keeping with the theme, young artists who participate in the logo contest might imagine and draw a scene in which they are enjoying a day in the park, a family bike ride, a picnic in the backyard, or other fun things to do that are free.  Even a family movie night at home can be fun with a G-rated movie in the DVD player and microwave popcorn.

• DAC encourages artists to use bright and bold colors in their drawings as it needs to look good on a T-shirt.

• Each year the Logo Contest is held in the months of February and March to find creative artwork for DAC T-shirts that will go on sale in April to increase awareness of the needs of Dixon’s youth.

• T-shirts will also be sold at the Dixon Community Block Party, scheduled for Saturday, April 27 at the Women’s Improvement Park.

• Entries are available at Dixon Family Services, 155 North Second Street.  Parents or youth interested can request an entry form via email rich@dixonfamilyservices.org, on the Dixon Family Services website www.dixonfamilyservices.org  or by stopping by the DFS front desk during business hours. Download Entry Form
  

• Last year the grand prize winner was Tremont Elementary School 5^th grade student, Juleah Bailey, who was 10 years old.  Her artwork depicted a scene supporting the 2012 theme “Education! Fascination! Inspiration!”.

• First, Second, and Third place winners will be chosen in several different age groups and prizes will be awarded to them all.

• The Grand Prize winner will receive a T-shirt with his or her design, and a gift certificate for dinner for the entire family.

• This is the 18th year for this contest.

• Each year Dixon Family Services sponsors this logo contest as part of their campaign to promote health and safety for the children of this community.

• Anyone wishing to see all the winning logo T-shirts can do so by visiting Dixon Family Services.  There is an entire wall of framed shirts from all years past.

• The Grand Prize winner will be announced at an April Dixon City Council meeting, which is also broadcast on local cable TV.

• Deadline for turning in entries is Thursday, March 21st.  Entries dropped off after the end of that day cannot be considered.

• Turn in all entries to Dixon Family Services.

• Questions: Please call Dixon Family Services at (707) 678-0442.