Fauquier Reaches for Excellence in School Health (FRESH), a Fauquier County Public Schools program funded by the PATH Foundation, has a number of free resources available to families this summer. FRESH’s mission is to inspire a ‘lifetime of wellness’ among Fauquier County children through nutrition, movement, and literacy enrichment.
FRESH Summer Events
During June and July, FRESH will host family-friendly events throughout the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of the county. Events will feature free games, activities, books, produce kits, and more. There is no cost involved and all Fauquier families are encouraged to attend. FRESH’s schedule for summer 2023 is located on their website.
To help spread the word and generate excitement, FRESH staff recently held lunch room style ‘pep rallies’ at all 11 elementary schools. Children were provided with details about summer events and shown a promotional video. In addition, each of the over 6,000 elementary students in the county received a FRESH backpack with a summer event schedule, frisbees, and fliers from community partners. Students at local preschools, daycares, and private schools were also provided with summer promotional bags. Employees of Warrenton’s Greystone office stuffed thousands of these bags as part of the PATH Foundation’s annual ‘Let’s Volunteer’ campaign.
FRESH is excited to partner with a number of local organizations to enhance their summer programming, including: Abundant Acres Farm - who will host pop-up farmers’ markets offering free produce to families during events; Fauquier FISH - who will have Weekend Power Pack bags of food on-site for families in need of nutrition support; and Lola the Miniature Therapy Horse - who will be visiting select FRESH event locations during the summer.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
After years of planning and diligence, FRESH is also excited to announce that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is coming to Fauquier County! This acclaimed literacy program provides children under the age of 5 with a free book mailed to their home each month. Since the program first began in 1995, over 2.3 million books have been distributed worldwide.
While there is no cost to families for participation, local organizations are responsible for raising funds to cover book purchases and shipping fees. FRESH is proud to serve as the lead affiliate for Fauquier County, overseeing program enrollment and fundraising.
During the first week of summer programming, FRESH will host a kick-off event celebrating the Imagination Library, featuring free popsicles from the Little Pop Truck, courtesy of the PATH Foundation. The Imagination Library is open to any Fauquier County family with a child under the age of five. Families may register in person at any FRESH event, or online.
Commentaires