TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Idaho Gives Week continues until Thursday, May 2, and for many local and statewide organizations this is the biggest fundraiser of the year.. as donors are encouraged to go to one website to make a donation to their favorite charities or maybe a new one.

Idaho Gives is a statewide program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and powered by Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU). According to the website, the program is designed to bring the Gem State together to raise funding and awareness for the many Idaho nonprofits

To donate, go to idahogives.org and you can search for your favorite nonprofit and click on the donations tab, there are so many to choose from, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Local Magic Valley organizations that you may be interested in donating to are Simply Hope Family Outreach, Friends of Minidoka, and any one of the area senior centers like the Burley Senior Center, you can also choose any one of the local public libraries or animal shelters throughout the region.

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IDAHO FALLS – The East Idaho Falls Rotary Club is pulling out the red carpet for aspiring young filmmakers at the 20th annual Idaho Teen Film Festival.

The event, formerly known as the Kiwanis Teen Film Festival, is happening on May 4 — Star Wars Day — at Hillcrest High School. Workshops will be held throughout the day for participants. Students can see their work on the big screen in 4K during a public film screening at 6:30 p.m.

A red carpet event will be held before the screening, where participants can take photos and limo rides with the local chapter of the501st Legion, an international organization dedicated to celebrating “Star Wars” by wearing costumes.

“We thought it was particularly pertinent, considering it’s Star Wars Day,” Alex Purcell, president of the East Idaho Falls Rotary Club, tells EastIdahoNews.com.

Following the screenings, an Oscars-like ceremony will be held where awards will be given in different categories. Category winners will get a trophy and $300. The overall winner will receive $1,000.

Purcell is encouraging the community to come and support these kids at the festival.

“We aren’t charging admissions. If we can load up that auditorium for these kids — how cool and special is that going to be for them,” says Purcell.

Justin Hemsley participated in the film festival the first year it was held. The 35-year-old Idaho Falls man now works as a freelance visual effects artist in Hollywood. He’s worked on films like “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Free Guy” and the miniseries “WandaVision.”

He and another film festival alum, Josh Contor, are helping to organize the event and will be teaching workshops to participants.

Hemsley was a huge “Star Wars” fan as a kid and made a short “Star Wars” film in high school.

He submitted a different project in the film festival, which didn’t win any awards. But Hemsley says his participation in the event was still beneficial because it helped him realize what he was capable of.

He and his friends reunited in 2016 with a lot more experience under their belts, to shoot a remake of the “Star Wars” film in 4K.

One thing Hemsley finds rewarding about making movies is that it’s a “hybrid” of many different careers.

“You’ve got acting and writing but you also bring in photography as an element. With visual effects, you get magic,” he says. “There really isn’t anything else like that.”

He’s grateful to be working in Hollywood, living his dreams and it’s a thrill for him to mentor young artists interested in a similar career.

Hemsley says the film festival is important for aspiring filmmakers because it provides an outlet for them to showcase their work.

“Nowadays, anyone can put something online … but there’s something special about watching it in a theater with an audience,” Hemsley explains.

Purcell, whose son is a participant this year, expresses a similar sentiment. Media production is a viable career option, he says, and this film festival illustrates that for parents and students.

He’s excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the community.

To watch student films from previous years or learn more, visit the website.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – If you need some help with your spring cleaning, the City of Idaho Falls is gearing up.

Sanitation Division staff will be available the first four weekends in May at different locations in Idaho Falls to help collect and dispose of unwanted items. This includes household solid waste, brush, construction waste and bulk items.

“This service provides residents with the option to simply toss most of their unwanted items,” Idaho Falls Sanitation Superintendent Jordan Rechenmacher said. “We know spring cleaning can be a chore, so our sanitation staff will lend a hand to our residents by helping them sort out waste items appropriately while offering the convenience of a one-stop drop location.”

During the Clean and Green event, unwanted items will be collected between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• May 2-4, Parks and Recreation maintenance building on Old Butte Road near Clarence Drive
• May 9-11, Russ Freeman Park at the glass recycling bin near Fremont Avenue and Micro Street
• May 16-18, Mel Erickson Sunnyside Park
• May 23-25, intersection of Bennett Avenue & Waid Street

Certain types of waste, such as metal, hazardous waste, tires, or large appliances, are required to be disposed of differently. Idaho Falls Sanitation staff are unable to accept these limited items; however, appropriate disposal locations are listed below.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

The Bonneville County Transfer Station, located at 2455 Hemmert Avenue, will collect and safely dispose of household hazardous waste on May 11 and Sept 14. Accepted items include paint thinner, batteries, fertilizer, fuels, and antifreeze.   

DEMOLITION MATERIAL

All demolition material must be disposed of at the Bonneville County Hatch Pit.