Hundreds of backpacks were handed out to families.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
A community outreach program that annually helps hundreds of local parents and their children with the distribution of school supplies attracted more than 500 people Saturday to the Rafter 3C Center.
Community and veterans organizations handed out paper, notebooks, pens and pencils, while the Churchill County Social Services welcomed the families by handing out backpacks.
“It’s going great this year,” said Brittany Burton, an office specialist with Social Services who led the organizing of the 12th annul Fallon Community Days. “A couple of booths ran out of supplies. We had a good year, and we’ll plan for more supplies next year.”
Many of the organizations began planning in the spring for the community days.
“We’re very grateful for the help with school supplies,” Burton said. “They’re very expensive.”
Lana Robards, executive director for New Frontier, and her volunteers set up supplies on three days, a table designated for certain grades. As in previous years, Robards said many students and their parents were going through the line that snaked its way around the main concourse.
“We printed out each school’s list and what they’re requiring for each grade,” Robards said. “We ensured everything was available for what they were going to need for the start of the school year.”
In addition to handing out school supplies, Robards and her volunteers offered small bottles of water to the attendees.
“We received many positive comments,” Robards added. “We try to take care of the families and offer support before their children begin school. We look forward to many years to come.”
Regina and Curtis Parsons said this was the first year they picked up school supplies.
“It’s cool. I didn’t know this was a thing,” Regina Parsons said. “This is helpful … crayons, color pencils, glue sticks, backpacks and tissues.”
Curtis Parsons said he appreciated the help and less stress.
“I like it but I wish they had more for the high school students,” said Patrina Freeman.
Her daughter Jessa said she found the increased number of supplies very helpful, and going from table to table to see the different supplies was fun.
Jared Stanton said Fallon Community Days is a great event.
“I’m proud of the community and people who come out to support it,” said Stanton, who said this year’s event ran as smoothly as last year’s. Many of the organizations that attended the morning event used the time to handout information. or discuss their programs.
Jessica Rowe, Western Nevada College’s Fallon campus director, answered the questions on the various programs.
“We answer a lot of questions about our dual-enrollment program,” she said. “Many people don’t understand the school district pays 100% of the bill.”
Many dual-credit courses off both high-school and college credits. Rowe said many students as young as high-school sophomores and freshmen may enroll in some of the classes. She said welding has been a popular class as have nursing classes.
“Dual enrollment is becoming more popular as people get to know it,” she said.
Melissa Mackedon, chief executive officer of Oasis Academy, said many of their families need the help and support offered from Fallon Community Days.
“I know how expensive it is when I check out Walmart for back-to-school supplies,” she said. “Anything we can do to help families and ease their burdens is huge for us.”
Mackedon related a comment she heard several people make about the community day.
“A couple of moms walking by said you don’t realize how important this is for us,” she pointed out.
Trevor Burton with the Fallon Police Department said it’s great for the law enforcement agencies and other first responders to interact with the parents and children. He said the face-to-face interaction is important during the school year.
“We’re trying to do more in the community and be more involved,” he said. “Any time there is a community event, we’ll be there in some capacity.”