Tom, left, and Brandy Goodson from the Fallon Police Department’s Volunteers in Policing hand out school supplies on Saturday at Fallon Community Days.
Churchill County residents lined up by the hundreds Saturday at the annual Fallon Community Day, a one-day event that primarily gave away free school supplies for children in attendance.
Churchill County, the city of Fallon, the Churchill Community Coalition and New Frontier co-sponsored the annual event which was held for the first time at the new Rafter R3C arena. Not only did families receive school supplies, but they also mingled with the area’s first responders and had a chance to meet the various representatives of organizations that provided information.
“It’s a great turnout,” said Shannon Ernst, director of Churchill County Social Services. “We have a lot of participation from the businesses and our partners.”
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Many local organizations handed out school supplies at Saturday’s Fallon Community Days.
“This is our 11th year, and it gets smoother and smoother,” she said. “We have 100% social services staff here and volunteers doing the vaccinations.”
The Vaccinations for Children booth, which is part of Churchill County Public Health, also attended community days and offered assistance to qualified families who needed shots for their children.
The CC Communications table had an assortment of crayons, rulers, erasers, pens and glue stick.
“It’s a great program,” said Michelle Gabriola-Rogers, who has represented CC Communications at other community events. “In these times, everything helps.”
Not too far away from the CC Communications table were representatives from Western Nevada College and Oasis Academy.
“It’s nice to see everyone support our schools,” said Angela Viera of Oasis Academy.
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Veronica Brandenburg, left, and Brittany Burton from Vaccinations for Children answer a question Saturday at Fallon Community Days.
Viera said Oasis handed out pencils and other supplies to any family who needed them. Another favorite item were binder pouches.
American Legion Post 16 had a presence at the community days. Kelsey Hurlburt, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, handed out goody bags that contained supplies and a ruler with all the presidents on it.
“This year our post approved a budget and picked up supplies,” she said.
Kelsey said post 16 attended the annual event because many veterans have children attending the local schools.
New Frontier Treatment Center had a big presence at community days with supplies stretching over three tables.
“We get everything the students need,” said Lana Robards, executive director of New Frontier. “The school district lists the supplies for each grade, and we get everything on that list.”
Robards said New Frontier also provided hot dogs at the concession stand.
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Deputies Rudy Maynez, left, and Sierra Krieger hang up a banner with the help of Dayden Maynez at Fallon Community Days on Saturday.
According to Robards, staff members handed out the supplies, and clients handed out the food.
“They love doing this,” she said of the staff and volunteers. “It’s a positive way for us to give back.”
Parent and teacher Jennifer Orolfo, who teaches special education, said she loves community days.
“It’s a great way for the community to supply items free of charge,” she said.
From a teacher’s point of view, she said what the community does is “cool” for the students.
Orolfo, along with other parents in attendance, said it’s amazing how many families attend an event such as community days.
Steve Ranson/LVN
Families line up Saturday at the Churchill Community Coalition table at Fallon Community Days.
