Milpitas community briefs for the week of Sept. 25
Preschoolers’ food drive
Students at Merryhill Preschool in Milpitas recently held a virtual food drive to raise funds for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, a local food bank that serves Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Students raised $150 to help provide food and other needed supplies to Second Harvest.
‘Be-You-Tiful’ writing contest
The Eating Disorders Resource Center is accepting submissions for its 12th annual Be-You-Tiful, Be Free Writing Contest.
Bay Area students in grades 6-12 are invited to send in a poem or essay that addresses self-acceptance, mental health, social media and/or body image. The Campbell-based nonprofit hosts this contest to bring awareness to topics that are often stigmatized.
Entries will be accepted through March 5, 2021, and winners will be announced in the beginning of April. Middle and high school entries will be judged separately, with the top three poems and essays from each category awarded cash prizes of up to $300. Winning selections will also be featured on the center’s website.
Submissions are being accepted at https://bit.ly/2QICrMP. For more information, visit edrcsv.org, call 408-356-1212 or email beauty@edrcsv.org.
Virtual NAMIWalk
Instead of walking a 5K together at Guadalupe Park, participants in Santa Clara County’s fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Oct. 10 will choose an activity and join virtually with 33 other NAMIWalks across the country.
Many participants still plan to walk—using their treadmill, going outside in the backyard or strolling through a local park—all while taking precautions against the COVID-19 virus. Others plan to hula-hoop, flip pancakes, practice yoga or do another activity they enjoy. They will share their activities on social media and follow NAMI Santa Clara County’s program on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
NAMI Walks Silicon Valley supports those who experience mental illness and those who support them. To join NAMIWalks Your Way, visit namiwalks.org/siliconvalley. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged to support NAMI Santa Clara County’s free local mental health programs and services.