WHAT: Chess TournamentWHEN: Monday, Dec. 21
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Immokalee Farm Worker’s Village community center
SUMMARY:
A group of kids at Immokalee’s Farm Worker’s Village will compete in their first chess tournament on Monday, Dec. 21 at noon.
Beginning in May, about 20 kids meet regularly with Immokalee deputies to play chess. Deputies say the game helps strengthen the children’s intellect and strategy-making skills while teaching them life lessons about sportsmanship. Cpl. Michael Taylor, who initiated the program, said he saw chess as an opportunity for kids to bond with deputies and engage in an activity the would make them think.
The kids will show off their newly developed chess skills to win the grand prize, a bicycle, or runner-up, a chess set. Other prizes will also be given out to the competitors.
The group typically meets from 3 to 5 p.m. every other Wednesday at the FWV community center. Most of the kids are 10 years or older but any child with a desire to play is welcome.
The deputies also host occasional movie nights for children too young to play chess to get them involved with law enforcement in a positive setting.
And whether the kids are playing chess or watching a movie, deputies take the time to talk to them about what is going on in their lives and provide safety tips.
For more information on the program, contact Lt. Mike Dolan at the Immokalee substation at 239-530-9959.
