Get Involved In Your Community
Friends of Welaka is gearing up for an exciting year. We are planning a variety of programs to bring our community closer through a range of activities. Our goal is to provide our citizens with opportunities to explore their interests, meet new people, and become more involved in our wonderful town.
We look forward to bringing everyone together in the spirit of fun, friendship, and lifelong learning.
Our Purpose
Friends of Welaka was established to meet the diverse needs of our community, not just in a material sense but also by providing unique opportunities and activities to our residents.
We wanted a way to give back to our wonderful town.
Our organization seeks to do its part in making Welaka a better place by allowing others to give back as well. Allowing members to participate in meaningful and rewarding programs helps build prideful connections between residents and the town they call home.
By utilizing resources close to Welaka, we can continually create new projects that will serve our community for years to come.
Cats Spayed & Neutered
Pounds of Trash Collected
Families Served
Friends Of Welaka Programs
Spay and Neuter Program
The Spay and Neuter Program in Welaka aims to reduce the area’s stray and feral cat populations. We focus on humanely managing these cats while also decreasing their numbers. Our goal is to spay/neuter 100 cats per year.
The Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return (TNR) program has been proven to be a successful way to humanely manage these felines while also helping them avoid future litters from being born into homelessness.
Together we can make a positive difference for these cats and our community.
Feeding Stations
The Feeding Station Visits are essential to the town’s spay and neuter program for feral cats. These stations provide a nutrition source for the cats, which is essential for their health. Feral cats are known for decimating bird populations by providing food daily, 365 times a year; the goal is to reduce the impact on the wild bird population.
With four feeding stations spread across town and careful monitoring of these stations, this program can help control the number of feral cats while ensuring they are cared for humanely.
Cat Adoption Events
Cat adoption events are a great way to help cats find permanent, loving homes and keep them off the streets. These events provide a platform for people to come together in support of cats who have been displaced from their homes for various reasons.
Kittens have been humanely trapped to give them a chance at finding new homes.
Over 100 cats were adopted out during previous events – all in pursuit of the goal that no cat should be left homeless and that as many cats as possible can find the loving home they deserve.
Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden program is an innovative and engaging community event that aims to bring children of all ages together in a safe, educational environment.
Through this program, kids learn the importance of growing their food – from planting and caring for plants to harvesting their bounty for their families. They learn about the practicalities of gardening and form meaningful connections with one another and gain skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, responsibility, cooperation, and even patience.
This holistic approach provides children with the tools they need to become self-sufficient adults and helps build strong communities. With its focus on learning through play and exploration, the Children’s Garden is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, community groups, and more – providing an opportunity for young minds to grow well beyond the basics of gardening.
After-School Program
Our After-School Program is designed to help students improve their academic skills and explore their creative interests. Founded in 2020, the program was put on pause due to the pandemic but is now back up and running in an adjusted format. With one weekly meeting, the program assists children with their at-home studies, offering community outreach and tutoring assistance with reading and other subject areas.
We also provide puzzles and other activities to engage children’s minds and help them advance their knowledge. Our goal is to offer students an engaging, meaningful experience that will make them more confident learners and better prepared for future challenges.
We strive to provide social support and academic guidance, fostering individual growth in our youth while maintaining a safe environment.
Sugar Mill Socials
Sugar Mill Socials is an excellent program developed two months ago to provide support, companionship, and an overall sense of community for over 55 residents living in low-income housing.
Additionally, Sugar mill socials are now stocking a pantry with food items so that residents can access necessary resources that they may not be able to afford otherwise.
Each month, volunteers visit the residence and get to know the people who live there by engaging in meaningful conversations, providing practical assistance such as helping with hanging a picture, or offering advice when needed. Through these activities, Sugar mill socials have created a safe space for residents – both elderly and otherwise – to come out of their shells and meet new people while having fun.
This program is dedicated to building strong relationships and fostering an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance among all community members.
Townwide and Cemetery Cleanups
The Townwide Cleanup Program is an important initiative that helps ensure our local community’s continued beauty and integrity.
The Cemetery Cleanup Program began as an effort to keep the town looking beautiful but has since evolved into something more meaningful- it is now a way to honor the dead and show respect for them by keeping their final resting places clean and in good condition.
Both programs involve the town participants and local organizations and businesses dedicated to helping create a better environment for everyone. This project is a beautiful way to give back to our community while honoring those who have passed away.
New Resident Bag Distribution
The New Resident Bag Distribution Program is an initiative designed to bring new residents into the Welaka community and provide them with a warm and welcoming introduction to life in our small town.
This initiative is part of Welaka’s ongoing commitment to supporting newcomers and helping them feel welcomed and connected to the vibrant cultural fabric of our small town. We believe that by providing new residents with these housewarming gifts, we can cultivate a more inclusive atmosphere where everyone can feel at home.
We aim to create a sense of belonging within the community while fostering meaningful connections between our old-time citizens and recent arrivals.
Movie Night
The Movie Night program is an innovative initiative that offers local families an excellent opportunity to connect with their community and the police department. It takes place twice yearly, typically in the summer, and provides a fun and safe outlet for everyone involved.
This event is extraordinary because it offers everyone – regardless of age or background – the chance to enjoy family movie night while feeling safe in their town.
We believe small efforts like these can make a huge difference in building good relationships and creating stronger communities.
Candidate Forum
The Candidate Forum program is a great opportunity for local community members to become involved in the upcoming elections. For the last four years, it has allowed people to learn about the candidates by interacting with them and asking questions.
The program allows citizens to get an insight into each candidate’s opinions, values, and ideas on how they will shape our community if elected.
Furthermore, everyone is welcome to attend – regardless of their political views or background. The Forum provides a safe space for forming opinions and understanding where our potential leaders stand on specific topics, as well as giving us a glimpse into each candidate’s personality.
By attending the forum, members of the public can develop an educated opinion on who they support in these crucial upcoming elections.
Backpack Giveaway
The program Backpack Giveaway seeks to empower local students on their educational journey. Through this program, we partner with Helping Hands of Welaka to provide backpacks and other necessary supplies, such as filler paper, pencils, and other school utensils, for students who would otherwise lack the materials they need to excel in school.
This initiative aims to ensure that each child has the resources they need to succeed in their studies without any roadblocks. The backpack giveaway provides crucial tools for these children and can make a world of difference in their academic performance.
Furthermore, it allows community members to unite and support one another for a common cause. Every single bag filled with supplies given away will bring a smile to a child’s face, making this an incredibly worthwhile endeavor. With everyone’s help and generosity, this program will have a lasting positive impact on the students of Welaka.
Thanksgiving Giveaway
Our annual Thanksgiving food giveaway is made possible through a partnership with Helping Hands of Welaka. Last year, we distributed over $300 in gift cards so families could purchase turkeys and sweet potatoes to accompany the meal.
We also provided monetary support to the organization with the intent of ensuring even more individuals would be able to have a proper Thanksgiving dinner. In addition to providing these tangible items, Friends of Welaka seeks to create a sense of community by offering volunteers an opportunity to give back and make a difference in our local area.
We believe it’s essential for everyone with access to basic needs like food to not take it for granted and lend a helping hand to those less fortunate. With the continued support from generous donors, we are confident we can help even more people this holiday season!
Children’s Christmas Party
Children’s Christmas Party is an annual event held the second week in December for Welaka kids. With the support of Friends of Welaka volunteers, the party features a variety of exciting activities and experiences designed to bring joy and cheer to children during the holiday season. The toys are donated from both Toys for Tots and generous donations from residents.
During their time at the party, children participate in arts and crafts, games, music, entertainment, refreshments, and more!
Additionally, we will have our first Christmas Parade this year, and we hope to continue this every year.