Ada Jenkins Center is planning a 5k race and barbecue festival on Saturday, June 20 called “Fire” to celebrate its 10th anniversary and bring in a few dollars to support the regional community services center. It will include a 5k road race, live music, barbecue and children’s activities.

Also in this column, info about other upcoming fund-raisers, including a 5k race in Concord this weekend and DavidsonNews.net‘s own “Microbrews for Micronews” subscriber party Saturday night at Summit Coffee. And here’s a volunteer opportunity coming up this sumemr: help special needs kids learn to ride bikes.

“FIRE” AT ADA JENKINS

The 5k race and 1 mile fun run/walk begin at 8 a.m. at Ada Jenkins Center gym on Gamble Street. Entry fee is $25, and race-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. Awards will be given to the top three men and women and the top three in age groups. You can register online at queencitytiming.com or in person at the center.

Chopped barbecue will be sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $10 a plate (eat in or take out), or for the same fee you can sample entries in the “Fire” barbecue competion. Live music is provided by Rusty Knox and Friends (Mike Orlando, Brad Reddick, and Dwight Burks) as well as Billy Jones and The Pocket.

All proceeds benefit the center and its programs, which offers 17 programs and services to those in need in and beyond Davidson. More information is available by calling the center at 704-896-0471 or online at www.adajenkins.org.

LOSE THE TRAINING WHEELS

Volunteers are needed for a program called “Lose the Training Wheels” this summer that helps special needs children in the Lake Norman area learn to ride a bike. This is a one-week summer camp, to be held July 13-17, at Metrolina Expo, Exit 16 off I-77. Volunteers are needed to run alongside kids as their “spotter” for 75 minutes each day. Details; www.lttwcharlotte.org. To volunteer, please contact Jeni Cooper at info@ecbuzz.org .

SABI HELPS ON MONDAYS

Sabi Asian Bistro at Exit 30 off I-77 has begun a new program of donating a portion of its sales on Mondays to local charities – chosen by diners. Eat at Sabi anytime on Monday, write the name of your favorite local charity on the back of your receipt and drop it in the comment box.

Sabi will donate 5 percent of the total. In addition, the restaurant will tally the highest “vote getter” in terms of donations, and donate an additional 5 percent of the day’s sales to that group. Some local groups have already begun letting their contributors know, including Davidson Community Players, which sent an email to its supporters about the opportunity this week.

More about Sabi: www.ilovesabi.com.

FUND-RAISING CALENDAR

THROUGH JUNE 5 – State Farm food drive for Loaves & Fishes pantry. Donate non-perishable food items to State Farm Insurance, Roger O’Connell Agency, 452 S. Main St.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 8 a.m., Harris Road Middle School, Concord – Our Boys 5k run and walk, to benefit Batten Disease Support and Research Organization. This annual run is organized by the Hawkins family, whose two boys, ages 8 and 12, have the fatal genetic disorder. The family-oriented event includes children’s activities, face painting, car washing and more. Sign up at sportoften.com. More info at www.ourboysjourney.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 6 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – It’s the DavidsonNews.net “Microbrews for Micronews” subscription drive party and community celebration, with live music from Davidson Express and Rusty Knox. Come meet fellow readers, and the DavidsonNews.net staff, make a $50 for 50 voluntary subscription payment (in honor of our editor’s 50th), and sample Summit’s coffee’s, wines and microbrews. Help keep community news alive and well in Davidson. Details on our “Support Us” page. Note: We are not a non-profit, and payments to DavidsonNews.net are not tax-deductible. Think of it as buying a subscription to a worthwhile community service. We’re not a national or even regional media company – just a group of your neighbors helping keep our sense of community strong.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lake Norman Family YMCA, Cornelius – Annual Live at the Lake community celebration and fund-raiser, this year with a Hawaiian Luau theme. Including Aloha Hula Dancers, music, food vendors, lake activities and fun for the entire family. Also, health and wellness information and business vendors. All sponsorship and vendor proceeds will benefit the Lake Norman YMCA Community Outreach campaign. A 5K Family Fun Run will precede the luau at 9 a.m. and the Community Outreach Raft Race is scheduled to conclude the day’s festivities at 2 p.m. Rain date: Sunday, June 14, 1–5 p.m. Free. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities still available. For more information, please contact Susan Wolff at 704-716-4444 or susan.wolff@ymcacharlotte.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – “Fire,” a 10th anniversary celebration for Ada Jenkins Center, with a 5k road race and a barbecue and grilling cook-off. 5K run entry fee is $25 per runner. Pork barbecue available 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at $10 per plate. Live music with Rusty Knox and Friends (Mike Orlando, Brad Reddick and Dwight Burks), Billy Jones and The Pocket, and others. Sample tasty treats from the kitchens of local restaurants, and look for a variety of activities for children. For additional information or to register for the 5K run or purchase tickets online, please visit www.adajenkins.org, or call 704-896-0471.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church parking lot, 233 S. Main St. – 2009 5th annual Ride for Hope & Housing, a benefit for Davidson Housing Coalition. Sign up for 25k, 50k and 100k routes in Davidson and surrounding counties. Also, 5K family fun ride through Davidson neighborhoods. Registration and more information, CLICK HERE>