The T-Town Grill Off starts at 10 a.m. with registration. There’s sure to be some superb smells coming from the various smokers. At 4 p.m. a 5K run/walk takes place. It begins and ends at the high school and at 5 p.m. judging for the grill off will start. After that comes various activities for the Team Tongie Community Block Party, including a bonfire that kicks off homecoming festivities.

Though it should be a great time for the entire family, Saturday’s events aren’t just about a day of fun.

Proceeds from the day will go toward Team Tongie, a nonprofit organization that has symbolized what unified community is all about.

The organization, through donations of community members and other generous folks, has raised roughly $40,000 to help families facing serious health issues.

Cornerstone Family Worship, which is sponsoring the Grill Off, is donating to the Team Tongie as well and should be commended for its community spirit.

In addition to Saturday’s festivities, other groups are getting involved with community drives. Tonganoxie Boy Scout Troop 357 and Cub Scout Pack 3075 will be participating in a food drive of scouts in several counties on both sides of the Kansas-Missouri border. Scouts will distribute grocery bags throughout the community Saturday and will pick them up Saturday, Sept. 18.

Food donations from the drive will go to the Good Shepherd Thrift Store and Food Bank here in Tonganoxie.

Also on Sept. 18, another 5K fun run/walk will take place starting at 8 a.m. on the Beatty Field track.

The run/walk, which is called the Stride for Stone 5K, is named after Tonganoxie’s Austin Stone, who was injured in a medical accident in 2009 in Lawrence and continues to recover today.

Tonganoxie dentist Grant Ritchey, who is one of the organizers of the event, said people can pre-register at tonganoxiedental@aol.com or strideforstone@gmail.com. Registration forms are available at his dental office in downtown Tonganoxie as well.

Proceeds will go toward Team Tongie, as well as a scholarship established in Stone’s name and the Brain Injury Association of Kansas.

There is plenty to do in Tonganoxie in the coming weekends, activities that will make a difference in others’ lives also.