THELEVISALAZER.COM -MARCH 6, 2015
Preparations are well underway for 32 West Auxiliary’s 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt which will take place this Saturday, April 11th. As volunteers work to fill eggs with candy, hand out flyers, gather door prizes and much more…it’s all done with hopes of providing area children with a fun time all at no cost.
“Though it may seem odd to do an Easter Egg Hunt the weekend after Easter, it was really a blessing in disguise that we planned it this way,” said Dorothy Edwards, auxiliary President in reference to the recent flooding that took place throughout the area.
With nearly 6,000 eggs being filled with candy for the upcoming event, it has all been made possible strictly through donations from generous community members.
“The bad winter really put a damper on our usual fundraising efforts,” said Edwards. “But through both monetary and candy donations, it’s shaping up to probably be the biggest and best hunt we’ve ever hosted. We’ve been very blessed with the outpouring of community support that we always receive from folks.”
While over 165 door prizes have been purchased along with a grand prize of a giant surprise themed basket, the event will also include craft projects and coloring sheets to entertain children during registration and also pictures with Westie the Easter Bunny.
The egg hunt will take place at Blaine Community Center rain or shine. Registration begins at 12pm, with the hunt at 1pm. For more information contact auxiliary vice president Jennifer Ferguson at 606-652-4808 or visit www.facebook.com/thirtytwowest
Ten years later BES Backpack Program still going strong…
It’s been ten years since the backpack program began at Blaine Elementary School and it’s still going strong.
It was through a mission trip in the Blaine area that volunteers seen there was a need in this area to help supply children with food outside of school hours. Serving 80 kids, each week Barb Hall, Blaine Elementary Family Resource Director, loads up backpacks full of food and sends home with children who may otherwise not get a meal.
Based out of Springville, Alabama, volunteers from First Baptist Church travel every few months to deliver vans full of food to the resource center. Working strictly through donations, volunteers Randy Spruiell and Donald Leopard say the 470 mile trip is absolutely worth it.
“We just seen that there was a need in this area,” said Leopard.
Working with local grocery stores to get food at wholesale cost, they say there has never been a shortage to help fill the need.
“We’ve been very blessed to be able to do this,” said Spruiell. “Whether it be monetary donations or actual food donations, we always seem to have plenty to bring.”
While both volunteers said that Hall is the “true hero” of the program, she says she just considers the school very fortunate to be able to have obtained such a wonderful program.
“The food is served on an as needed basis to children throughout our school,” said Hall. “There are other schools in the area that have programs similar, but we are the only ones that are fortunate enough to work with these great volunteers.”
Both Hall and the volunteers say they plan to continue the program as long as there is a need in the area.
New food bank has served 15 families so far
While it was recently reported that a newly formed food bank, called Lawrence County Food Bank Gods’ Hands Ministry would soon be opening, director Rachel Wheeler is asking for families to please be patient as the process could take longer than expected.
“As of right now, the food bank will not be going mobile,” said Wheeler. “However, the Facing Hunger Food Bank from Huntington, West Virginia will be helping distribute food.”
Due to tax permits, it could be several weeks before the permanent Blaine location is officially open, and until then families will be served only on as needed basis.
“As of today we have served fifteen families,” said Wheeler. “This may increase or decrease depending on the food donations from the Walmart Food Center in Louisa.”
According to Wheeler, the ministry has compiled a list of names and is in the process of contacting families from the list as food becomes available. Currently, food will only be available to those families that are contacted. Wheeler said she will contact families by phone when there is food to be picked up.
“We just ask that you please be patient, as this will take some time,” said Wheeler.
For more information on the food bank contact Wheeler at 606-652-3483.
