​     The Purple Peace Foundation’s Cruise for Consciousness car show returns to Armstrong Park this Sunday, August 1st from 11:00am—3:00pm. Over 300 cars are expected at the event.
     While car enthusiasts are excited to have the opportunity to connect after a year off due to COVID-19, families like Shannon Walter’s understand what the car show means to the people the Foundation serves.
     The Purple Peace Foundation, started in 2012 in memory of Amanda Brady, who died in 2011 from a seizure, serves families impacted by epilepsy.
     Cole Colledge, now 20 and working full-time at Sam’s Club, has been involved with the Foundation for several years.     
     Cole’s mom, Shannon Walter, said she reached out to the Foundation not long after Cole’s diagnosis after seeing a post about the car show.
     “We have just become family since then. Without this organization, I really don’t know where I’d be today,” Walter said.
      “As a parent, I’m his care taker and his voice. There are many things I didn’t know. It’s like being a new parent all over again. Having a support group for myself, my son, and my daughter has meant the world to us.”
     One the most memorable experiences the family was able to have thanks to the support of the Foundation was a trip to Disneyland for its annual Epilepsy Awareness Day. While a trip to the happiest place on earth is wonderful, Walter said the access to countless resources and tools for families is the real draw.
     “You are able to have conversations with doctors, lawyers, service providers. You name it, they have every resource there.”
     One of the best parts of their involvement with Purple Peace Foundation is the normalcy they feel at activities with families who also deal with epilepsy.
     “I know my son says he feels ‘normal’ with the group. If someone has a seizure during an event, everyone jumps into action, but it is manageable and no one feels strange about it,” Walter said. 
     “When this has happened to another person at an event, I have been able to say, ‘See, you aren’t alone.’.” 
     There is no cost to attend the car show on Sunday. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.purplepeacefoundation.org.
 

​     The Grain Valley Police Department’s Camp Focus returns this week, with 18 campers from 6th—12th grades spending a week learning valuable life skills,  participating in leadership and team building activities, and having quite a bit of fun along the way.
     Campers kicked off the week with Jackson County park rangers, learning about nature preservation as well as boat and ATV safety tips.
     The campers have also received CPR training, practiced fire fighting skills with local firefighters, and learned about the dangers of the internet and mobile apps.
     The program, in its third year, was proposed by Chief James Beale as a way to connect with youth in the community and provide recreational and skill building experiences for youth in the summer months.
 

     Registration for Grain Valley Parks and Recreation’s Fall 2021 Youth Baseball/Softball youth leagues is now open.
     Information and links to register can be found on the Parks and Recreation section of the City’s website,
www.city ofgrainvalley.org.
     Leagues include boys and girls T-Ball for ages 5-6, machine pitch for boys and coach’s pitch for girls 7-8, and boys and girls 10U, 12U, and Boys 14U leagues.
     Youth Football, Basketball, and Cheerleading are administered through the Grain Valley Sports League. Visit https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/gvsl  for information.
     Call the Community Center at 816-847-6230 with any additional questions.
 

     Local band Grindstone will provide entertainment in the Pavilion behind the Grain Valley Community Center during this Friday’s Food Truck Fridays event. Ample seating will be available in the Pavilion, and the band will accept tips.
     Additional shaded areas are available  for Food Truck Fridays attendees who would like to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
     Food trucks scheduled for July 9th include Happy Belly, A Taste of Soul by Sam, Chef Aristos, Tony Rico's, Tacos Del Barrio, Shiver Shak, Making Sweet Dough, and the Conut Factory. Trucks open at 4:30pm and remain open until approximately 8:00pm.
   More information on Food Truck Fridays events can be found at www.grainvalleyfair.org or on the Grain Valley Fair’s Facebook page.
 

​     Mid-Continent Public Library announced it has expanded evening hours at its branch locations.
     The Grain Valley branch, located at 101 SW Eagles Parkway, will be open Monday—Thursday from 9:00am—6:00pm, Fridays from 9:00am—6:00pm, and Saturdays from 10:00am—6:00pm.
     For more information on other branch locations and library services, visit www.mymcpl.org.
 

​     The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main, on Wednesday, June 23rd from 3:00pm—7:00pm.
     To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter GrainValleyCommunity.
     Donors will receive a a ticket to a Cedar Fair amusement park (including Worlds of Fun) while supplies last.
 

​     Grain Valley residents who are planning to do some spring cleaning this weekend can take advantage of the City’s City-Wide Clean Up event on Saturday, June 5th.           
     This free community event will be held from 8:00am—2:00pm on June 5th to help Grain Valley residents dispose of unwanted items.                 
     Proof of residency is required (ie: water bill or driver’s license).                  
     Residents are asked to bag loose items, such as insulation and other small items. Items that are NOT accepted include tires, paint, oil, refrigerators, air conditioners, bagged trash and yard waste or clippings.
     The drop off will be held at the Public Works Maintenance Facility, 405 James Rollo Drive, Grain Valley.
 

​     The Grain Valley Aquatic Center opens for the season on Saturday, May 29th with normal operating procedures returning in 2021. Gone are the distanced “family pods” on the deck, and loungers are once again available so families do not have to bring their own chairs. Masks are not required for patrons.
     Open swim hours are Monday—Sunday from Noon—6:00pm. Hours are subject to change once Grain Valley Schools return for the new school year in mid-August. The last swim of the year will be on Labor Day from Noon—4:00pm.
     Call the community center or visit their website (816-847-6230 or https://bit.ly/3ovc6SE) for more information and to get signed up for swimming lessons, water aerobics, season pool passes, and private pool rentals.
 

     Mid-Continent Public Library’s annual Summer Library Program for all ages will begin June 1 and run through August 24. This year, the Library is asking kids and teens to read for 20 minutes a day for 20 days. Those who do will earn a free book and the chance to win prizes. Adults can earn a commemorative enamel pin by setting a good example and reading for 20 minutes a day as well. In recognition of Missouri’s bicentennial in August, the theme of this year’s program is “Show Me!” 
     Participants don’t have to just read traditional books; every time a reader engages with text, or practices early literacy skills, this can count toward their daily reading. All reading can be tracked online through a free tracking app called Beanstack or on paper logs that can be picked up at any MCPL branch..
     More information about the program, including how to sign up and log reading, can be found at mymcpl.org/ShowMe.