The Martin Luther King Jr. Center will be host to a free family fun night April 1
Teamwork is central to most activities held at the Martin Luther King Center, the hub of youth sports in Middle Township.
A Family Fun Night planned for April 1 at the center is no different. The free community event is a team effort between Middle Township Recreation and the Progressive Black Initiative (PBI).
Kids will be able to see a magic show, and participate in family Zumba, candy bingo, arts and crafts, a video game tournament and more at Family Fun Night from 5 to 8 p.m.
Committeeman Jim Norris, who oversees the Recreation Department, said the event grew out of brainstorming sessions with Superintendent Dustin Sturm and PBI President Anthony Anderson.
“We wanted an event for families to come and play together, not an event where kids just get dropped off,” he said. “PBI has been a great partner on this event and others. Middle Township is always seeking common ground to bring good people together to do good work!”
Others are pitching in to provide free fun for families. Home Depot donated kits to build flower boxes. Westside Meats and 7 Mile Pies in Stone Harbor are contributing food. Businesses and organizations
including 609 Nutrition Spot, Atlantic Cape Community College-Atlantic County Admissions, Cape May County Caring for Kids and No Limits Boxing will set up tables at the event.
Events like Family Fun Night support Middle’s vision for expanding Recreation Department programming, Norris said.
“We would love to see the rec center occupied every night with kids watching movies, playing video games, playing sports or using the playgrounds,” he said. “We want to become a true community center for the residents and youth across all of Middle Township.”
Recent renovations make the center more inviting for visitors, added Sturm.
“The new lines in the gym make it easier to teach kids the rules of the sports we offer. The center also is a lot more welcoming with the new flooring and paint.”
Although Family Fun Night will primarily be an indoor event, Sturm expects kids to take advantage of the new outdoor basketball nets.
Bringing people together in Middle Township is a goal that goes beyond the day of the event, organizers said.
“We hope to enhance the bonds and relationships we currently have with hundreds of families throughout the community,” Sturm said.