On Oct. 10, children in the Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s Eureka after school care program received the first of many free dinners, courtesy of Feeding America. This new dinner program, which runs through the rest of the school year, ensures that students are given a nutritious meal before going home.
Other community partners have also joined the effort to support Eureka’s after-school students. On some Fridays, the local Masons Rising Sun Lodge 146 and Marine Corps League Detachment 426 are planning to work together to serve a hot meal to the children. On Oct. 31st, the Masons donated candy and volunteered at Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s first Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event at Eureka Park.
Over the holiday season, the Marine Corps will also donate Toys for Tots – a new gift-giving program. Eureka Center has been a welcoming and safe place for the community for generations. In fact, some of the community members who are supporting the center today, remember what Eureka meant to them as children.
Lloyd Holland, Sargeant at Arms of the Marine Corps League (left), and Frederick Brown, former Masons Worship Master (right), have fond memories of playing foosball and pool at Eureka Center as children. Today, they are proud to give back to the community by helping to sponsor Eureka programs. “To give back to Eureka Park now is very touching,” commented Holland.
