The COVID-19 virus has changed many things in our lives. Many events that we traditionally attended for years have been placed on hold. One such event that has been a scheduled mid-winter event for more than a decade has been a unique one held at Joel School. The 100th Day of School Celebration honored many area non-profits and collected needed items for them.

Families Helping Families has been included in this event since the very beginning. I have been truly honored to be included as its representative. There is nothing more awe inspiring to see the gymnasium filled with students, teachers, and staff. The spirit that is on display is truly amazing. That assembly was canceled this year. At Joel School, the fundamental values of sharing and caring about others have always been a part of the school curriculum. Canceling an event did not mean that those well taught values were put on hold—just the opposite.

Everyone at The Joel School was in agreement that even though it would be impossible to hold an assembly, something had to be done and something they did! They decided to collect one of the most-needed items at The Clinton Food Pantry: cereal. They collected and did they ever collect—more than 250 boxes of much-needed cereal.

While it was a sad day when I learned the Joel School had to postpone its celebration, I was elated when I was informed the students were going to continue their tradition of sharing and caring in our community. Long after they leave Joel, these students will carry these values into their adulthood and share them in the communities where they chose to live. Just think, it all started here in Clinton at the Joel School.

Miner T. Vincent, President

Families Helping Families

Clinton