There is something special about the last days of summer.
The school supplies are packed, schedules are being finalized, teachers are getting classrooms ready, and students are beginning to wonder what the new school year will bring. Before the first bell rang, our community came together for one final summer celebration—and what a celebration it was!
Community Fun Day, held in partnership with Warren County Public Schools, brought students, families, educators, community organizations, and local businesses together for a day filled with connection, resources, and plenty of fun.
A Day Built Around Community
Students and families had plenty of ways to jump into the fun. They could meet their schools and connect with the people they’d be seeing throughout the school year, then head over to the games, bounce houses, or whatever caught their eye next. Harold Chunn and his wife, Terry, kept the music going and the energy up throughout the day as they helped MC the event.
There was plenty of food, too. Families enjoyed a free lunch sponsored by ClearHorizon Forensic and Counseling Group, and C&C Frozen Treats helped everyone beat the August heat with free ice cream for the kids, sponsored by Reaching Out Now and Warren County Public Schools. State Farm Agent Ellen Aders and her team brought a calmer moment to the day with a read-aloud for the kids—a chance to take a break to sit together, and enjoy a good story.
And, of course, there was a little friendly competition.
The dunk tank gave kids—and a few brave adults—a chance to take their best shot, while games throughout the day had families playing and laughing together. One of the biggest highlights was the tug-of-war competition between the kids and local EMS, fire, and Army personnel. The kids came ready to compete, and the adults definitely weren’t going to give them an easy win!
Helping Students Start the School Year Ready
While Community Day was all about having fun, we also wanted to make sure families had access to a few things that could make the start of the school year a little easier.
Blake & Co. Hair Salon and Mattie’s Shave Cave provided over 100 free haircuts, while the Warren County Retired Teachers Association and Bethel United Methodist Church Angel Fund teamed up to provide $2,500 worth of free shoes for students. We also held our Stuff a Bus school supply fundraiser, giving community members a chance to help make sure students had the supplies they needed heading into the new school year. Blue Ridge Technical Center even brought out boxes of books for the kids to pick out new stories to enjoy for the fall.
Each of these efforts may seem like a small thing on its own, but together they can make a real difference for a family getting ready for that first day of school.
Something for Everyone
Kids and families could explore a Touch-a-Truck experience, check out the AutoCare Clinic car show, and take bus rides throughout the day. Inside the Student Union, families could also take tours and learn more about the programs and opportunities available throughout the year, while the Warren County Sheriff’s Foundation offered fingerprinting services. Indoors also served as a cooling station for anyone who needed a break from the summer heat.
From trucks and buses to safety and ice cream, the variety was part of what made the day so special. Different organizations brought different resources, talents, and experiences—but they all came together around the same purpose: supporting our community and its young people.
A Community Effort
An event this big doesn’t happen because of one organization. It truly took a community.
We were honored to partner with Warren County Public Schools and an incredible planning committee to bring the day together. Organizations, businesses, educators, volunteers, and community leaders all contributed their time, resources, and energy to make Community Day possible.
Our amazing sponsors played a particularly important role in helping bring the celebration to life:
- Target – Front Royal
- Warren County Parks and Recreation
- Blake & Co. Hair Spa + Mattie’s Shave Cave
- ClearHorizon Forensic and Counseling Group
- First Bank Front Royal
- Sysco Northeast RDC
- Coach Chunn
- Bethel UMC Angel Fund
- Philip Vaught
- C&C Frozen Treats
- Ellen Aders State Farm Insurance Agency
- A New Day Cleaning
- Shotton Design
- Front Royal Kiwanis
We are incredibly grateful for each person and organization who showed up the set up a tent, volunteered, donated, or simply helped spread the word.
More Than a Back-to-School Event
It would be easy to look at Community Day and see a fun event—and it certainly was that.
But we think it represents something much bigger.
It showed what can happen when schools, organizations, businesses, and neighbors come together with a shared purpose. Community support doesn’t always look the same, but it always starts with people willing to show up for one another.
And sometimes, that can be as simple as a community gathering to share a meal, enjoy some music, support each other, and celebrate.
As the summer came to a close and a new school year began, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to send our students off.
We’re still smiling – Thank you to everyone who helped make Community Fun Day possible!
We are #StrongerTogether