Many ways to help neighbors with contributions to Hyde Park agency

The Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, a longtime United Way agency, is one charity that can be specified to receive contributions. The agency serves area residents through a variety of programs, including an adult day-care center, a tot lot and services for adolescents and teenagers.

"Through a diverse range of programs we provide guidance for our youths and offer a place for young adults and seniors to socialize and become active in the community," said Jurellene Rigsby, executive director of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club. "Our activities benefit all the residents of the community, and we make sure that the neighborhood really feels like the club is for everyone. To improve and expand the services, we need to build our funding through community donors."

The Hyde Park Neighborhood Club was founded in 1909 by Mrs. William Rainey Harper, Shailer Mathews, Sophonisba Breckinridge and other community members associated with the University. The organization started out as a place for troubled Hyde Park adolescents. It soon extended its services to all ages, and it has become a community center for Hyde Park-South Kenwood families.

In addition to adult day care and the tot lot, programs currently offered by the Neighborhood Club include:

_ One-on-One Tutoring, sponsored by Ivy League Tutoring. The program provides tutoring in reading, math and other basic subjects for grade school and high school students.

_ Courses for children and teens in music, art, dance, soccer and martial arts, as well as circus-style wire-walking, unicycling and trapeze work.

_ Courses for adults in low-impact aerobics, dog training and martial arts.

_ Operation Scope, which provides employment counseling and referral services for adults age 45 and older.

_ Senior Drop-In activities, which include field trips, shopping, card games and political discussion groups.

For more information about Hyde Park Neighborhood Club programs, call 643-4062.

To support the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club or any other charity through the Campaign for the United Way/Crusade of Mercy and Other Charities, fill out and return either the yellow or the blue card included in the campaign information sent to all employees. Options for giving include payroll deductions and making cash contributions.

Pledge cards returned to the Bursar's Office by Monday, Jan. 23, will be included in a raffle drawing for staff and faculty members who make a commitment to the Campaign for the United Way/Crusade of Mercy and Other Charities. Among other prizes, the raffle includes a grand prize of two round-trip tickets to Tampa, Orlando or New York City, courtesy of Kiwi Airlines in conjunction with Midway Travel Service.

Employees who need a pledge card should call Human Resources at 702-9600.