2nd annual Hootie’s Holiday Feast brings families together at Vickery Mill ES
Posted 12/15/2022
Pastor Gerald Fadayomi at Home Church Roswell has a special relationship with the families at Vickery Mill Elementary School. As it grows, the small, startup church is renting the school as their worship home on the weekends. Every week, Fadayomi could sense the needs in the community and felt the calling to do more for the students who shared the halls with his congregation.
Fadayomi reached out to Principal Susan Walker and Title I Parent Liaison Nichole Armour with the idea of hosting a family night for the school, but not just for a few people. Fadayomi wanted to include all Vickery Mill’s families. So, Fadayomi, Walker and Armour kicked off the first "Hootie's Holiday Feast" in 2021. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions and fears limited engagement.
For this year, they knew they wanted to have a bigger impact and reach more families. Through expanded partnerships with the City of Roswell, Roswell Police Department and Home Church the feast was only the start. The team also set up hallways and the gymnasium so families would go shopping for coats, groceries and toys.
Still true to its name, and thanks to local restaurant Ceviche, the feast included a buffet of Mexican foods placed in front of the typical lunchroom lines where students were joined by their parents and siblings for the special meal.
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and Councilmember Lee Hills joined Fulton County Schools (FCS) School Board member Katha Stuart taking selfies with the school mascot, Hootie the Owl, and welcoming families. Roswell PD officers helped distribute goods and passed out Junior Officer badges, which children proudly wore during the event.
Faith partners play a significant role in supporting the needs of FCS students outside of the classrooms, which in turn has a positive effect on academic outcomes. FCS is fortunate to have faith partners of many different backgrounds and religions. The commitment of all faith partners and the impact they have on the lives in our community is greatly appreciated.