To volunteer with Wonderful Days Preschool, go to www.wonderfuldaysprek.org
Runners came together on Saturday at St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta to participate in the Wonderful Days of Winter 5K that benefitted the Wonderful Days Preschool. This school has been educating and impacting the lives of at-risk children in the Marietta community since 1974.
“The school began to help children in low-income families receive a proper foundation before they entered public school,” said Doug Payne, chairman of the board of directors. “By preparing these children with the basic fundamentals before public school, we ensure that they won’t fall behind when they start school. That is not only important to their success, but to that of the family and the community.”
The school started holding classes’ one day per week, but through community need, the Wonderful Days is now an accredited preschool with classes five days a week. Because of the community it serves and its effort to help children in low-income families, the school charges no tuition and depends on volunteers to help continue its mission. The school also started bilingual services to serve a large Hispanic community in the area.
With over 80 volunteers and over 350 runners, the race raised over $20,000 for the school’s needs.
The race started as way to help pay for a school bus to pick up the children as many parents didn’t have transportation,” said race organizer Anne Patrick. “Over the years, the race has not only become an integral fundraiser but also a way to raise awareness about the school in the community.”
Besides the race, the community can volunteer with Wonderful Days in many ways. Through volunteering to read to the children, helping out with the Wonderful Days 5K or fundraising for the school, “we want the community to get involved,” added Patrick. The school also uses volunteers to help with ESL classes that are specifically designed for parents to learn English to communicate and grow with their children.
“The effort of our teachers, our parents and our volunteers is really helping the children succeed,” said Payne. “We think we are making a difference in these families’ lives and preparing our children for a great future.”
In other news: Fulton County Police Department and Code Enforcement Division presented 10 South Fulton families from the Hickory Park Subdivision with toys, clothes and other gifts for Christmas. The county police department has been hosting this event for about 10 years with the help of the community.
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