By Stephen Smoot
For many families with children, the holidays serve as a special time to gather, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate their faith. Others, however, face challenges. The onset of cold weather can catch families unprepared to dress warmly. The desire to provide a good Christmas experience for children can place stresses on families as well.
In West Virginia, Family Support Centers provide myriad means of support and assistance for those families with children in the most need.
Franklin’s Family Support Center, formerly Family Resource Center, opened its doors two years ago and has emerged as a vital means by which families can get help, advice, or sometimes, just a place to relax and socialize.
The FSC currently serves families at its facility on 22 Main Street in Franklin.
During the Franklin Town Christmas parade, the FSC will provide a warming station during the day’s festivities, as well as for the evening parade.
At 9:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, including December, the FSC holds the “Grounds for Discussion” forum at the FSC office in Franklin. Local parents, grandparents, and others who care regularly for children have a standing invitation to come, enjoy fellowship, drink coffee, and share experiences, advice, and support.
Attendees can provide a listening ear, the benefit of their own experience, and hear ideas on the joy and work of raising children.
On social media recently, the Franklin’s FSC announced the welcome news that “our Saint Nick’s Toy Chest has been blessed with lots of toys.” Donations to the program ended on Monday.
Though stocked, FSC still welcomes donations of toys to make the Christmas season as bright as possible. “We hadn’t got as many as last year,” noted Edna Mullenax, executive director of the Family Support Center. Their goal lies in having enough to provide each child two toys. Seneca Rocks-Spruce Knob Telephone Company employees will deliver toys collected on the North Fork this week, but FSC still welcomes donations.
Families can come in next week for Saint Nick’s Toy Chest. On Dec. 9 and 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., families with children from birth to 12 can come in, choose from the large selection, and even wrap presents to take home and place under the tree.
“Warm the Children has been doing wonderful,” shared Mullenax. The FSC has enough to cover $150 towards winter necessities for each child in the program. “We got a very good amount,” she added.
If that tree lacks for hand crafted ornamentation, the FSC has planned a Christmas Craft Making session from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 16. Attendees can make ornaments for the tree, decorations for the home, or even homemade gifts to give to others. Light refreshments will help to fuel the fun and fellowship.
December’s events culminate in a grand Christmas party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 20. Santa will greet the children and help to hand out free books and other gifts.
