Blytheville School District offers helping hands

Helping families in transition was the goal of the Blytheville School District and Dr. Veronica Perkins, superintendent, at the Christmas giveaway on Thursday. Food bags, personal hygiene items, toys and coats were distributed at the Chickasaw High School arena.

Teresa Miner, social service coordinator/family and community engagement and Patricia McClurg, English Language Learners and Liaison for students in transition, along with student volunteers assisted in preparing and distributing the items. The population of students served by McClurg are 90 percent Hispanic and 10 percent Arabic in the Blytheville District.

Miner said they were expecting and prepared to distribute 200 food bags to assist families during the holiday season.

Patrici McClerg, ELL, and Teresa Miner, social service coordinator with the Blytheville School District welcomed families to the arena on Thursday.

Student volunteers, Jazmyne Hill, Ja’mesha Cowley, Alonzo Lambert, Aidan Lowe and Londynn Lard also assisted with the packing and distributing throughout the day.

Joining the day of giving were Danny Rigney, pastor of the Pathway Church and others distributing Ignite boxes of love.

Miner said the school district organized the assistance during the Thanksgiving holiday as well as the Christmas holiday.

“We appreciate and are thankful for all of our families,” Miner said.