The “Fitness Club 50+ Continuation” project is being implemented in Bolesławiec Municipality. It continues activities undertaken as part of a project carried out last year. The applicant and implementer is the “Żeliszowski Potok” Association. The project aims to equip the club with additional equipment and purchase a fireplace so that people can also meet in winter and during unfavorable weather conditions and spend time actively during exercise classes.
Another aim is to integrate the residents of Żeliszów and improve the physical and mental condition of the rural community, particularly among people aged 50 and over. Therefore, during the project period—from June to November this year—regular classes in Nordic walking and callanetics or Zumba will be held under the supervision of instructors. An integration bonfire is scheduled for October 16. The association received PLN 3,000.00 for its organization.
People interested in participating in the project may contact the project coordinator, Ms. Dorota Dobrzańska (tel. 888 912 895).
The residents of Nowa Kuźnia and Pasternik in Gromadka Municipality are also participating once again in the “Act Locally” Program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. This year, the project entitled “Grandparents’ Memories and Young People’s Dreams” received PLN 6,000.00 in funding. Its applicant and implementer is the “Gryf” Foundation for the Promotion of Equestrian Tourism and Recreation from Pasternik.
“Our main objective is to integrate residents through working together and participating in attractive sports and recreational events organized in our villages,” says Andrzej Peter, President of the Foundation and one of the project coordinators. “We also want to awaken children’s and young people’s interest in older people living nearby, who are often forgotten in some way. We meet with seniors living in our area and listen to stories about their childhood, traditions and customs. Particular attention is devoted to the games and activities our parents and grandparents used to play in their yards. By making use of, among other things, these rediscovered old outdoor games and activities, we intend to encourage residents to spend their free time actively.
Well-maintained and properly equipped squares and playing fields are needed to organize events. Therefore, such places will be prepared as part of the project. Residents are restoring the surfaces, clearing shrubs and mowing the grass through their own efforts. Posts and nets for volleyball, a brick barbecue and litter bins have already been purchased with grant funds. Materials for benches and football goals will also be purchased.
On August 2 this year, the first of several planned family picnics took place at the playing field in Nowa Kuźnia, featuring football matches. Participants were also shown the outdoor games and activities discovered so far. There was also a communal barbecue.
People interested in participating in the project may contact the project coordinators, Mr. Andrzej Peter (tel. 790 206 721) or Mr. Krzysztof Król (tel. 608 631 125).
In the current edition, funding was also granted to 7 other projects from the “Wrzosowa Kraina” area.
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“Act Locally” is a program funded by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and implemented by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland (ARFP) in cooperation with the “Wrzosowa Kaina” Foundation.
The aim of the Program is to initiate cooperation among residents for the common good. As a result, the projects implemented have a very broad and positive impact. It is impossible to list all their benefits, but they certainly develop social activity, teach civic-minded attitudes and cooperation, strengthen interpersonal bonds, encourage people to pursue their passions and provide attractive ways to spend time, overcome intergenerational barriers, promote localities, teach care for local communities, and preserve identity and tradition. In short, they are good practices worth following!
We also invite you to visit our website: www.wrzosowakraina.pl
Ewa Baran
Program Coordinator
Funded by the “Act Locally IX” Program
of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, implemented by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland
