The 11th annual Back to School Bash held Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10, was the biggest bash ever, according to Faith Christian Family Church coordinators.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
The 11th annual Back to School Bash held Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10, was the biggest bash ever, according to Faith Christian Family Church coordinators, serving more than 1,000 Warren County school children. The event is cosponsored by Agape.
Karen Gladieux along with husband Denny, who head up Servant’s Heart, an outreach ministry of FCFC, said the annual event is geared toward families who “need a little help for the school year.” More than 1,000 children were preregistered for the event.
“We open at 9 a.m. Saturday, and people were in line by 6:30 a.m.,” said Gladieux. “This is the role of the church — to be out in the community. It’s hard to put into words to be able to give back like this.”
Senior Pastor Terry Roberts and his wife Becky have served at FCFC for 40 years.
“It’s all about serving people,” he said. “Community outreach is his heart. That is the role of the church, and there is a great need in Warren County.”
Gladieux said 100 volunteers set up the facility for the event, then opened their doors Friday night from 4-6 p.m. for special needs students. The goal was to provide a calm, welcoming environment tailored for children with sensory or special needs.
More than 130 volunteers welcomed families Saturday morning. Free backpacks and school supplies donated by church members were displayed for the children to choose from. In addition, free clothing and shoes were available. Eight hairdressers provided free haircuts to start the school year.
Gladieux said church members shop all year round for the supplies needed to donate to the event. The brand new backpacks, shoes and clothing are carefully selected to fit in to what other classmates will have.
In addition, children may also select a pack of underwear, socks, a winter hat, and school supplies. Toiletries were also provided.
Many area service agencies were available so families could seek out needed resources.
Each family was provided lunch, then could enjoy games and bounce houses provided on the lawn.
FCFC is located at 17350 E. Veterans Memorial Parkway in Truesdale. To learn more visit fcfc.tv.
