Community Outreach

Peanut ButterJelly & Books

Summer lunch and reading program

Studies show that adequate nutrition is necessary for learning, and children who are encouraged to read during the summer better sustain their academic level from one grade to the next. Designed to promote reading, reduce isolation and supplement nutrition for low-income, school-aged children, our 8-week PBJ & Books summer program features free books, crafts, safety presentations, performers, as well as free lunches and snacks.

At each PBJ & Books session, a nutritious lunch is served and snacks are provided in collaboration with the Maple Valley Food Bank. Once fed, the children participate in fun, reading-related activities. Each child is given several books each week to keep as their own; and in partnership with the King County Library, all children have the opportunity to check out library books on-site through the King County ABC Express Bookmobile.  Volunteers from local elementary schools offer tutoring; businesses, civic organizations, and individual volunteers from the community at large donate time, supplies, books and funding.

For more information or if you would like to donate books or volunteer your time to help make summer vacation special for a child, please contact Cindy or call 425-432-1272.

Peanut Butter Jelly & Books is funded by generous support from the Cooper Levy Foundation, Catherine Holmes Wilkins Foundation, Puget Sound Energy, Target Stores, Windermere Foundation, Page Ahead ,Kiwanis Club, Frankie's Pizza, Maple Valley Food Bank, United Site Services, and the King County Library. Thank you also to Cyndi Soup, Tim Noah, and Molly Hashimoto for so generously sharing their time and talents with our PBJ & Books children and families.

Shop with a Cop

A very special Christmas

Help raise funds for the Shop with a Cop program. Join the fun at the annual Poker Tournament Fundraiser at Lake Wilderness Golf Course. Shop with a Cop benefits children from the Greater Maple Valley area. In addition to providing a joyful holiday for children who need support, the program also builds positive relationships between police officers and the children of the community.

On a Saturday in early December, officers from local police and sheriff departments take the children shopping. Often a child will buy presents for everyone in the family and need be encouraged by the officer to purchase a present of their own. It is a very positive experience not only for the kids involved, but also for the officers. Children are recommended for participation in the program by police and sheriff department members, school employees, and social agencies. The child must be a resident of the area and not have participated in the past.

If you would like to donate your time or money to help make Christmas special for a child, or would like to nominate a child, please contact Cindy or call 425-432-1272.

Shop with a Cop is sponsored by the Maple Valley Rotary Club and Greater King County Police Activities League in collaboration with GMVCC, the Tahoma School District and other community partners.

Childhood Safety

Parent Resources

Did you know that nearly four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly?  Did you know that bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any consumer product except the automobile? GMVCC Children & Family Programs can help you connect with local programs that provide the helmet, bicycle, car seat and water safety information you need.

Car Seat Inspection

A handy Car Safety Seat Inspection (PDF 555 KB) guide to help you.

Other Parent Child Safety Resources

• Maple Valley Bicycle Safety Rodeo
• Multicare Childhood Safety
• Bike Helmet and Life Jacket Locations
• Mary Bridge Car Seat Help Line

For additional referral information, please email Cindy or call the Maple Valley Community Center at 425-432-1272.

Date	Event	Time	Location	Fee
Monday July 26, 2010	Car Safety Seat Inspection (PDF 555 KB)	3 - 7 pm	Multicare Maple Valley Clinic 23846 SE Kent-Kangley Road Maple Valley, WA 98038	FREE