The Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest presented a total of $21,500 to eight local nonprofits during the organization’s June Board meeting at the Wake Forest Historical Museum. The money will help the eight local charitable organizations provide financial support and address human needs in the greater Wake Forest area. The Koinonia Foundation is an interdenominational, nonprofit providing financial support to organizations that address human needs not otherwise adequately funded and to individuals demonstrating a critical need. Since 1990, it has expanded from serving neighbors in crisis in Wake Forest to the communities of Rolesville and Youngsville. “The Koinonia Foundation exists to help our neighbors in crisis and these nonprofit recipients provide tangible resources to people who are hungry, hurting or struggling,” grants coordinator and board member Jennifer Gaston said. “It brings us great joy to support these local nonprofits with grants, so they can help the underserved in our community.” These nonprofit

Fluvial Solutions, Inc., a contractor working on behalf of the Town of Wake Forest, has begun the initial phase of work on the Ailey Young Park Dam Removal and Stream Restoration Project. In 2014, a structural inventory of bridges and dams within Town-owned parks identified the need for the Ailey Young Dam Removal and Stream Restoration Project. The initiative involves “Peggy’s Pond,” which is situated in the rear of Ailey Young Park, 800 E. Juniper Ave., adjacent to the existing basketball courts. The Town purchased the property in 1981 and created Ailey Young Park several years later. In recent years, the pond dam outlet has experienced a significant failure resulting in major erosion, a decrease in water levels and an adverse effect on aquatic life. The project will consist of the partial removal and replacement of the dam and pond with a stream restoration and two small wetlands for continued

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department has been awarded the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation by the National Alliance for Youth Sports. Earning the distinction demonstrates that the Wake Forest department has taken steps to ensure a safe, quality playing environment for children and proven it meets key requirements in five categories – Written Policies and Procedures, Volunteer Screening, Coach Training, Parent Education and Accountability. “Kudos to Athletics Specialist KP Kilpatrick for leading the effort to obtain this designation,” said Director Ruben Wall. “It reinforces that we are providing youth sports programs of the highest standard.” Wall also said the distinction helps the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department programs stand out among a sea of athletics options. “We recognize that parents have many choices when it comes to youth sports,” he said. “The Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation is another

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada  recently named the Town of Wake Forest as the recipient of its award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its Citizens’ Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018. The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local popular reports. To receive the honor, a government unit must publish a Citizens Financial Report, also known as a Popular Annual Financial Report, whose contents conform to program standards of creativity, presentation, understandability and reader appeal. The Citizens Financial Report is prepared to inform Wake Forest residents about the town’s finances in a format that is easy to understand by those without a background in public finance or accounting. The document is designed for readers who would like

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday, June 22, in the employee parking lot along South Taylor Street behind Wake Forest Town Hall. Local farmers and artisans will have meats, seasonal vegetables, bread, baked good and other local wares for sale. See the market’s Facebook page for information about the vendors and sign up for a weekly notice about the offerings that Saturday. Remember the Wake Forest Farmers Market is unusual in that it is owned by the farmers who sell their wares there. *Monday Night Bingo at The Factory is hosted by the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club in the Mill Room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday night. All profits support the club’s projects for children. Visit www.wakeforestbingo.com for more information. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is now open from 9 to 11 a.m. every third