Community adopts ESR
families for Christmas
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) hosted a Day of
Caring in celebration of Christinas on Dec. 14. In partner
ship with St. Leo's Catholic Church and Robert Alphin,
more than 20 families in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth
County area were adopted for Christmas, and were pro
vided with toys, necessities, and a Christmas meal.
St. Leo's and Mr. Alphin contacted ESR, wanting to
give families in need the opportunity to enjoy Christmas.
ESR case managers then contacted the families and
arranged for pickup. Gifts ranged from bikes to clothes to
turkeys.
Angell, a client of ESR who is working her way
through school, said she was grateful for the help.
"Everybody needs help. It is just a blessing to help one
another and to be able to reach out to someone in need of
help. At the end of the day, I am just grateful and thankful
for the ones that were able to reach out and assist me in
everything that they could help me with, as weU as helping
myself to go out and better myself in every situation I find
myself in."
ESR would like to give a special thanks to St. Leo's
Catholic Church and Mr. Alphin for their generous dona
tion and for providing hope to families this holiday sea
son.
For information on ESR's services, visit their website
at www.eisr.org or call 336-722-9400.
Submitted phofc
Angell, a client of ESR who is working her way through school, said she was grateful for the help.
Submitted photos
Alonzo Windfield shares statistics with guests.
Linda Transou, left, is a teacher's assistant and Karen Crim, right, is a guid
ance counselor at North Hills Elementary. Both helped organize the Fathers'
and Sons' Holiday Social.
North Hills school and fraternity
host father and son social
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
North Hills Elementary School and the Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Inc. recently hosted a Fathers' and Sons' Holiday Social. The event was organized by
Alonzo Windfield. North Hills' Family Engagement Coordinator. The purpose of the
event was to highlight the importance of fathers being active in their sons' lives.
Male students were encouraged to bring their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, coaches,
ministers, or any other important man in their lives. Windfield shared statistics concern
ing increased school and life success of boys when they have a father, or other male fig
ures involved in their lives in a positive manner.
Windfield and the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity lead small group games to high
light ways fathers can stay involved in their sons' lives. The evening was concluded with
snacks and an informal discussion with participants, who shared the hopes they have for
their sons.
The message the male participants received: "You don't have to be perfect, you just
have to be present in the lives of your sons."
Windfield is planning another father and son social in the spring 2016.
State parks launch 100th
anniversary with New Year's hikes
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina's state parks system launches its centennial
year with 46 guided hikes on New Year's Day. State parks Director Mike Murphy says
the hikes will usher in a year of anniversary events planned throughout the state.
The state Division of Parks and Recreation says the offered hikes range from short
leg-stretchers to six-mile treks. The varied events include a photography hike, the unveil
ing of an art trail, scavenger hunts, and a "polar plunge."
North Carolina's "first day hikes" began at Eno River State Park in Durham and
Orange counties more than 40 years ago. Last Jan. I, nearly 3,000 visitors collectively
walked more than 7,000 miles on state park trails.
A complete list of hikes is available at www.ncparks.gov/first-day-hikes.
Brother Cedric Russell and Brother Galvin Crisp, of the Psi Phi Chapter of
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., share the importance of fathers being active in
the lives of their children at a Fathers' and Sons' Holiday Social.
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