Community Day expecting hundreds

in five years, Fallon’s Community Day has reached out to Churchill County residents as a springboard leading into the new school year, a fact not lost on Holly Meader, office assistant for the county’s Social Services Department.

“The numbers are pretty consistent but always, we hope to reach more people,” Meader said.

The annual event attracts upward to 450 children who receive school supplies and backpacks and more than 550 people who pick up free clothing donated by both county and city residents.

Churchill County Social Services, Churchill Community Coalition, Fallon Elks Lodge and SP Counseling have partnered to present Fallon Community Day, which begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday and runs for four hours. Andrea Zeller, executive director of the Churchill Community Coalition said the Fallon Community Day focuses on “back to school” which begins in mid-August. Families receive clothing, haircuts, school supplies and a plethora of community resource material — all free.

Zeller said this is a good event as the summer begins to wind down for the area’s school-aged children.

Meader said SP Counseling has taken over the clothing give away by taking in clothing and categorizing the items, which will be available Saturday morning at the Oats School gym.

“We know from our own office more clothing has been donated than last year,” she said. “I send them (SP Counseling) to come to our office and pick up more clothes.”

Meader said about 40 vendors will set up tables at the eastern part of Oats Park and hand out material on medical information for children’s and women’s health, parenting assistance, low income/housing rehabilitation, food stamps/welfare applications, emergency preparedness and library card signups.

Additionally, Zeller said many vendors will hand out school supplies such as rulers, pencils and other items.

For the children, Meader said two bounce houses will also be set up.