Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Family Resource Coordinators (FRCs) for different Clark County Public Schools (CCPS) are typically in school during active days from Monday through Friday.

However, as recently shown, their services extend into the weekend.

As a part of their December to Remember, a Christmas assistance event on Saturday, Dec. 16th, at Central Baptist Church allowed various Clark County Public School families to receive gift donations and more that proved beneficial for the holidays.

“Several of us got together and decided that we wanted to do something that was a community event,” said Casey Davis, the FRC at Baker Intermediate School. “We’ve all done our own Christmas [event] at our own schools, so this year, we wanted to make it a big, grand event.”

Always dedicated to helping families, FRCs with CCCPS look toward assisting students.

While teachers might focus more specifically on content areas, FRC seeks ways to help bridge any gaps and provide for students in non-academic ways, ultimately to see them succeed academically.

Knowing that economic times can be challenging, the day’s event was born from such understanding.

“We help families in need [of] food, clothes, utilities. We also bring [additional] things to our schools,” Davis said. “Some of the things that we may not think of that are really hardships on the families, we can help provide resources for those things…and Christmas [time] is one of our favorites.”

Inside the chapel, gift bags sponsoring over 450 children awaited.

In preparation since the summer, the event drew donations from several local businesses and organizations including First Christian Church of Winchester and Catalent Pharma Solutions.

Calvary Christian Church even donated cleaning baskets for each family.

Individuals in their vehicles drove up to the church entrance, where a tag with various information would allow them to identify what bag they would be getting.

Groups were separated based on schools.

Among the other FRCs present was Eva Miller, who serves Justice Elementary School.

“It’s extremely rewarding. This is probably the best program that we’re able to sponsor for the community,” Miller said. “The community supports us totally.”

Approximately 75 helped deliver the gifts throughout the day.

Along with CCPS employees, such as interpreter Lais Hatton, members of the GRC Beta Club and the football and baseball teams volunteered.

Freshman Landon Belcher, a GRC football player, carried out and placed bags into individual vehicles.

“My expectation is to just make a kid’s day and make them feel special,” Belcher said. “It feels like a privilege to represent my school and to make them look the best I can.”

Altogether, it’s been estimated that – with volunteer time, gifts, cleaning services, and more – the community put in approximately $95,000 worth of effort to help make the event a success.

“That is really grand for us, and we’re so appreciative,” Davis added. “Our community is wonderful.”