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Kids of the Community dive in to Pool Day
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JL Jacobs photos Kids of the Community Director Shelby Smartt serves up refreshments for kids on their lunch break from the Gilley Pool Friday. KOTC organizers have a host of fun activities planned for the summer.

Friday was Pool Day for some lucky kids taking a break from the heat at the Gilley Pool. Enjoying pizza with their friends at the Jungle Jym, the Kids of the Community (KOTC) bunch got to take some much-deserved pool break time.

Shelby Smartt, the director of Kids of the Community (KOTC), says the program runs all summer long with a wide variety of activities planned. “The kids get to have a real fun summer and we love our pool days. Everyone has a really nice time at the pool.”

Adventure Counselor and Director Rylie Crawford was planning a fishing day at the river this Tuesday for the girls. “This is the best job ever,” said Crawford as the kids gathered around her in line for their pizza. “We get to be outside and do activities on the river and the farm. The kids love it and it’s so good for them.”

The KOTC program, under the guidance of Juvenile Court Services Officer Barry Dishman, hosts several different projects for kids throughout the year. This includes anything from kayaking to Fair Day. Some of their yearly events include a Super Bowl party, a Valentine’s party, spring break events, an Easter egg hunt, teen days, a fishing day, kayaking, camping, a back to school pool party, fair day, an autumn festival, a harvest meal and a Christmas party.

On Tuesdays in the summer, they have several different service projects in the area. The projects the children are involved with include trash clean up, Meals on Wheels, Willow Branch, NHC, Helping Hands Ministry, river clean up, and McMinnville Gardening Club. Please reach out to them if you would like to partner an organization with one of their projects.

Kids of the Community is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization catering to the needs of at-risk youth in Warren County. This organization is made possible by the generous donations from local community businesses and individuals who believe every child in the community has the right to be healthy, safe and to be taught valuable life skills. 

If you wish to give a donation to Kids of the Community, you can do so below with PayPal or by mailing your donation to:


Kids of the Community

681 Cadillac Lane

McMinnville, TN 37110