by Tim Perlwitz
The celebration coincided with two major annual events. The fourth Kroc ChalkFest, featuring more than 30 artists, brought out more than 600 spectators to view the outside art, play games in the backyard and enjoy live music and fare from local food trucks. On Kroc Community Day, the center threw its doors wide open and free to those who may not have previously visited the facility. More than 200 first time guests experienced classes from Zumba to archery to Bible studies and enjoyed a fine arts concert, snacks and demos. All the major news networks featured the Kroc Center in unique ways during the 10-year promotional window which helped shine the spotlight on the center’s transformative space.
“My grandson lives in Seattle and on his vacation to see us, we brought him to the Kroc pool. He had such a good time he did not want to go back Seattle, but rather live here with me!” laughed Mary Eifler.
“Basketball was awesome! I love all the sports programs and the approach the Green Bay Kroc Center takes to be inclusive, kind and teamwork focused!” mentioned Patricia Dufek, area mom blogger and avid Kroc user.
Arts, education and ministry also are key components of the Green Bay Kroc Center. The arts department offers a wide array of classes with the Kroc Dance program being one of the most successful. Additionally, the arts department offers guitar, ukulele, piano and voice instruction, pop-up art classes, and music composition classes like the “Anyone Can Create” program which utilizes the Apple music education platform. Year round, the center hosts licensed childcare opportunities through their afterschool program, winter/spring camps and an outdoor summer camp. To keep things exciting all summer long, camp themes are introduced and paired with field trips and high impact activities.
The team brings creativity in finding ways to expand ministry such as family dinners where members and guests can order in advance and on Wednesday nights grab the meal and enjoy fellowship with others or take home a meal with a devotional and recipe card to enjoy with their family.
Planning is underway at the Green Bay Kroc Center with conversations about what the rest of the year and the future will look like. Green Bay Kroc participants in programs like summer day camp and the community-at-large soon will be able to enjoy a new event pavilion, and the Senior Life Expo will return this fall. A 5K is scheduled with proceeds to go toward Kroc Center scholarships. More is to be announced!
“It is an exciting time to be a part of a team that transforms lives for members, guests and families in our community,” concluded Major Malinda O’Neil, Green Bay Kroc Center senior officer.