by Kimberly Fleming on 2013-11-06
Students and families of First Lutheran Children's Center in Redlands danced the night away over the weekend during the annual Hoe Down event.
Serving the community for 20 years, the school has gained a reputation as the "Best Preschool in the Inland Empire," and it's events such as these, that bring students and their families together, that contribute to its reputation, explained director Lu Cook, who has given 18 years to the preschool.
Cook feels the preschool's success is due to its faith-based environment, the staff, and parental support it receives. Cook added the school program is high energy, set within four-hour segments; its half-day schedule has proven popular, according to Cook.
"We have three major tools of success here: fundraisers, good fellowship and community outreach."
The hoe down event is the school's lone fundraiser, and included silent auctions, a petting zoo, a bakery, a 'tattoo' parlor, a fish pond, a face painting station, a dinosaur hunt and blow up slides to provide additional entertainment for the evening.
A chicken dinner featuring a cheese potato casserole was served that night as well, with parents and students encouraged to attend in full hoe down garb - paisley tops, straw hats, boots and jeans.
The Adams family came to support their daughter, Brooklyn, who is in her second year at the preschool. Mother Rebecca stated, “I love how family-oriented the school is, and I am more than happy to be here to support today.”
The Westwick family agreed; all three of their boys attended the school and were present to support the fundraiser. Mother and father Laurel and Nathan come to the annual event every year because, they shared, they too are grateful for the school and how well-received the program was with each of their three boys. Nathan Westwick said, "This is a good school and we are proud to be a part of such a great place.”
Lisa Schulz, a teacher and office assistant, was busy selling tickets. Schulz has been with the school for over 14 years and said she loved her job, and felt the kids and the program are wonderful. “No one is overwhelmed or overworked at the end of the day and the environment is positive and happy," she said.
As the parents, children, and supporters poured in, the silent auction and other entertaining activities began. Children took parents on tours of their classrooms in between participation in events and enjoying food and entertainment.
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First Lutheran Children's Center Annual Hoe Down
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2013
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Google Map
Event Location: First Evangelical Lutheran Church
Address: 1207 W. Cypress Ave. Redlands CA 92373
Description: Thru 7:30 p.m. Fundraiser for pre-school features petting zoo, games, drawings, dinner & more. Tickets $10/adult, $5/children, under 3 free.
CONTACT INFO
Phone: 909-335-2228
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
First Lutheran Children’s Center has been serving the community over 20 years. It’s Director Lu Cook has given eighteen years to what has become known as the “Best Preschool in the Inland Empire” FLCC held its Annual Hoe Down where generations of families who have experienced the wonderful educational environment came out to assist and attend the event.
The Preschool’s success is due to the faith based environment, staff, and parental support the school receives. Director Lu Cook would explain further that the school programs is a high energy program set within a 3-4 hours segment, the unique half day schedule is popular among the community which explains why generations of family continue to attend. She stated “we have three major tools of success here fundraiser, good fellowship, and community outreach.”
The Hoe Down is the only Fundraiser the preschool host and the staff certainly made sure the event was a success. Silent Auctions, Petting Zoo, Nana’s Bakery, Tattoo Parlor, Fish Pond, Face Painting, Dinosaur Hunt, and major blow up slides will be the entertainment for the evening. A traditional chicken dinner with a massive cheese potato casserole will be served among other things for dinner. And, parents and children will arrive in Hoe Down attire ready to partake in the adventures.
The Adams family came to support their daughter Brooklyn who is in her 2nd year at FLCC and both mom and dad are extremely happy with the program. Rebecca Adams stated, “I love how family oriented the school is and I am more than happy to be here to support today.”
The Westwick family would concur because all three of their boys attended the school and were present to support the fundraiser. It was funny to see Garrett and Emmett run about and enjoy all the festivities for the day. While young Abbott stayed close to Mom and Dad and enjoy the slides and petting zoo. Nathan and Laurel Westwick comes to the annual event every year to support because they too are grateful for the school and how well received the program was to all three boys. Nathan stated,” this is a good school and we are proud to be a part of such a great place.”
Lisa Schulz, teacher and office assistant, was quite busy for the day as well. Selling tickets and assisting Mrs. Cook who was twice as busy overseeing all of the affairs. Mrs. Schulz has been with the school for over fourteen years and said she loved her job, the kids and the program is wonderful. “No one is overwhelmed or overworked at the end of the day and the environment is positive and happy.’
Even the kitchen volunteers were in harmony and enjoying their day while preparing the large mass of food that would soon me devoured by the guest. Claudia, Dorinda, Jenny, Jeri just to name a few were buzzing around the kitchen that was also full of laughter and people who genuinely enjoyed working together for such a wonderful cause.
As the parents, children, and supporters pour in the silent auction would pick up and events would take off at a fast pace. Children running around and showing parents and family their classes, teachers dressed in attire and participating happily in events, laughter, reunions, comfort food and music all around. People buzzing around the exceptional gift baskets, raffle tickets and prizes and eager to eat the good smelling food. Only exemplifying why the place is such a popular and wonderful place for your children to grow.
If this is the type of support and reputation First Lutheran Children Center continues to receive then there will be no surprised to see them around for the next twenty years.