ACCC Receives Grant to Help Encourage Reading and Build Literacy Skills

ACCC staff and students are joined by Kinder Morgan’s Area Manager, Gregg Schweitzer, as he presents a check for $2,000 to Sharon Olson’s class to be used to purchase literacy kits

Bikers build gazebo

This spring a generous group of volunteers from the Jamestown Individuals Motorcycle Club spent a warm, sunny day building a gazebo on the campus for the kids to enjoy. Their tremendous gift of time is greatly appreciated by the kids and staff alike. ACCC relies on volunteers for many projects like this to enhance the living environment and help futher beautify our campus.

Winning Design

Adam, center front, was proud to show off his winning t-shirt with staff at ACCC. Adam's design was selected the winner from among entries for a Jamestown Middle School t-shirt design for his class house, the Betas.

Collecting supplies for Swaziland peers

Chris, with LST Terry, brought a small calculator to send to Swaziland along with supplies collected by his classmates. Students and staff used the occassion of ACCC's 100th day of school to gather more than 100 school supplies to send to children in Swaziland. LST Donna Mayer, also pictured, has a son and daughter-in-law stationed there in the Peace Corps. She enlisted the help of ACCC to respond to the need for school supplies in that country. A bake sale helped raise money to cover the cost of shipping the items gathered.

Time for friends

Children of all ages spend time at the Center developing lasting friendships with the residents. Anna and her friend Madeline recently checked out a new toy to decide if they want to play with it.

Thanksgiving visitors

The kids at ACCC usually take the stage in this space. However, more than a dozen wild visitors have been repeatedly making their way through the Center's nature trail in the past few weeks, entertaining staff and kids alike. At times, folks have counted more than 16 at one time.

A pirate party!

Kids, families, and staff alike boarded the ship for the Pirates of the Cryptibbean Halloween party. A boat-rocking dance, the Pirates Cove snack bar and a "haunted" nature trail proved to be an outlandish time for all the mateys!

Student elections

ACCC students voted Oct. 17 in student council elections. In the weeks leading up to the election, candidates plastered the corridors with posters and campaigned for president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer spots. The voters used an adapted keyboard to make their selections, which were automatically tabulated in the official voting computer. Winning the races were President: D.J.; Vice-President: Matt K.; Secretary: Kendra; and Treasurer: Zach.

Celebrity shares new book with ACCC kids, staff

Jamestown, N.D. native Shadoe Stevens was at ACCC Monday, July 17 to read his new book, The Big Galoot, to children and staff. Stevens is a nationally-known radio and television personality. He returned to Jamestown to promote his new book, a story of a young boy who looks different and who kids make fun of. But his "never-give-up" attitude makes him a hero to his classmates.

He donated a copy of his book to ACCC with an inscription that reads, "Anne Carlsen Center for Children...Thanks for never giving up. Good luck forever."

Photo: Kendra presented Shadoe with a framed piece of artwork she did in class. It is matted in a cutout of ACCC's logo. Shadoe was excited to receive the art and said it ties nicely with an upcoming book he'll be publishing, which has a butterfly character!

Kids ride the Gospel Train

As part of a summer activity program, ACCC Chaplain doned her conductor's uniform to take kids for a ride on the Gospel Train. At the end of their travels they shared the places they'd visited with family and friends at their VBS program.

Bikers withstand heat for special Christmas celebration

Despite near 100 degree heat, Santa Claus and about 200 of his friends rolled into ACCC's parking lot Saturday, July 15 for the Ladies Invididual Motorcycle Club's annual Christmas in July bike run.

Bikers from around the state come to the Center with gifts and smiles for the kids. It has become a favorite event for the bikers and the kids eagerly anticipate the event each year.

Photo: Nikki had the chance to visit with Santa Claus and the bikers who spent the afternoon at ACCC!

Benefit golf tourney a clean drive straight down fairway

ACCC's benefit golf tournament June 10 was a hit, with 34 teams teeing off in support of programs and services for children at the Center.

The tournament, in its 24th year, has netted more than $350,000 and is one of two large fund raising events hosted by the Center.

Photo: Alex was one of the kids who helped at the tournament, greeting golfers at the tee boxes.

Midnight in Paris!

ACCC took the students to Paris May 6 for a prom to remember. Everyone 16 and older had the chance to attend the formal event, featuring a dinner, grand march and dance. Nick and his date took time to pose in the "park" before Grand March!

Many thanks

Anne Carlsen Center for Children celebrated the 100th day of school Jan. 31 with a tea party and thank you celebration for two women who have been sending each student birthday and Christmas cards, along with cash gifts, for more than 25 years. Georgia Bjornstad and Helen McCormack say they keep the children in their hearts because they hold them close to their hearts. Neither woman had ever visited the Center until Tuesday when Georgia was able to attend the celebration. Helen was unable to be there in person but was there in spirit. Students presented thank yous in many ways, from 100 (Hershey) kisses, to 100 words to say thank you. Georgia and Helen also received scrapbooks that include pictures of the children.

Gala event kicks off new year

Anne Carlsen Center for Children hosted its 3rd annual Sparkle! New Year's Eve fund raising gala event Dec. 31. Anna was on hand to greet guests as they arrived and a group of five students performed some musical selections for guests during dinner.

Here comes Santa Claus

Steven and the other children were greeted by a visitor from the North Pole who came with a bag full of presents. Young and old alike took time for pictures with their guest on the last day of school before Christmas vacation.

Celebrating Christmas

ACCC's annual Christmas program involved all the students. Classrooms performed skits that included "A Mountain Christmas." (pictured at the right) Individual students performed music and prepared presentations to help share their interpretations of Christmas.

Gobble! Gobble!

Children and staff kicked off the Thanksgiving holiday with a friendly game of Turkey Bowling before school ended. Classrooms competed for a pizza gift certificate. Charlie got his class into the semi-finals when his strong arm picked up a spare!

Halloween 2005 Photo Gallery

Each year ACCC goes all out for Halloween with a big Monster Bash. This year's party theme was the Halloween Ho-Down. Many staff and kids got into character, while others opted for characters of their own as their Halloween disguise.

Click on each photo to see a larger image.

October is Fire Safety Month

On Oct. 27, for fire safety education, volunteer firefighter Troy Duven informed students about firefighters and general fire safety. D.J. and the other students were excited to have the opportunity to see a uniformed firefighter while Carol Aldinger looked on. At the end of the speech, students lined up for the chance to try on Troy's coat and feel like a firefighter

Student recognized for volunteer work

The Buffalo Valley Chapter of the Red Cross presented Seth C. and appreciation award for his volunteer work with the organization. He has been coming into the local office for more than a year helping with office work including data entry, updating mailing lists and stamping training brochures.

The award was presented to Seth by Pastor JoAnne Moeller, chairperson of the chapter's board of directors, and Beth Dewald, chapter manager who also gave Seth a North Dakota Red Cross pin.

Family Enrichment Weekend 2005

Families were invited to ACCC Sept. 30 for a weekend of special activities with their children. An evening talent show opened a weekend designed to let ACCC's star students shine! The sun cooperated, shining brightly Saturday afternoon, giving families a beautiful afternoon to enjoy outdoor activities, including riding bikes like Nick and his family did.