SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE Members of social clubs Iota Chi, Chi Kappa Rho, Delta Chi Delta, Omega Phi and other students came together to serve future foster families. T he gifts of giving, service and love were common during the holiday season. The Children's Home of Paragould hosted a time for foster parents to receive education and training as foster parents at College Church of Christ on Dec. l, 2018. The event was coordinated so that foster parents could come to learn foster parent skills while leaving their children with volunteer babysitters. "Every year [on] the first weekend of December, we have our annual foster parent training which provides continuing education for our foster parents," Sarah Wade, a child placement specialist for the Children's Home of Paragould, said. "They have to get 15 hours each year, and this provides at least three hours for them. We have speakers come in for che foster parents, and, then, I arrange college students co come in and help watch the kids." The children's home conducted foster care parent training for 15 years. In 2018, the event hosted 42 parents and 35 kids. The organization sought extra help caring for the kids at the event. 68 "Most of our girls were spread out, from babies to teenagers," sophomore Lydia Garritc said. "We came in, and they just asked us to love on these kids. So, I spent time with che older kids, which basically meant a lot of running and chasing, but I absolutely loved it." Women's social clubs Iota Chi and Chi Kappa Rho and men's social clubs Delta Chi Delta and Omega Phi, along with other individuals, volunteered co help watch the kids of the families who were in attendance. The clubs helped by setting up and caking down equipment for che event, but they mainly played with che children and kept chem occupied while che parents were away for a few hours. "This was the first year Delta Chi Delta participated," sophomore Daniel Hattemer said. "I got an email saying the children's home needed help watching the children. It was a lot of fun for all the guys of Delta Chi Delta, and I recommend everyone come and help next year if they can." Garritt said it was great to have a good turnout and encouraged other college students to find similar opportunities to get involved at school and around the community. story by Lexi Hoagland & Morgan Taylor
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