By Bill Husfelt, Superintendent, Bay District Schools
It’s the holiday season and families across the world are preparing to celebrate in their own unique ways. While the holidays are some of the busiest times of the year, our schools do an amazing job of ensuring that as many students as possible get a little extra at this time of year and that’s an extraordinary feat that couldn’t be accomplished without the help of the kind and generous businesses and individuals who support us.
Out here on the beach, Destiny Worship Center and Woodlawn United Methodist do an awesome job of supporting the Blessings in a Backpack program at Surfside Middle School and they make sure extra food is provided during the holidays. The Optimist Clubs of the Beaches are also strong supporters of families in need and we appreciate them.
We’re grateful for all of our partners throughout the community but I think Surfside Principal Matt Pitts said it best when he said, “the businesses on the beach are amazing. I can’t think of anyone who has ever told us no when we reached out with a need for a student or his/her family.”
Patronis Elementary Principal Brooke Loyed echoed Matt’s sentiments when considering whom she is grateful for this holiday season. Patronis is also grateful to Woodlawn and to the Panama City Beach Police Department’s food drive for hungry families, she said. Loyed also wanted to thank “the Church at the Beach for continued service to us and contributions, including clothing donations and supplies.”
Loyed noted that the Panama City Beach Women’s Civic Club has also donated food and school supplies along with the Bay County Sheriff’s Department which provides Christmas gifts through Project 25. While noting that she couldn’t possibly thank all of the donors, Brooke said she’s also grateful to the Naval Support Activity, Panhandle Jeep Club, Manual and Thompson, Junior League, Pythagoras Lodge #358, and Destiny Worship Center for ongoing donations and support.
The “thankful list” is long at West Bay Elementary School as well… and we love a long list of donors and helpers. Principal Deniece Moss said she’s grateful to many beach businesses and individuals but especially wanted to thank “the Panama City Beach Police Department for organizing Cops for Kids, which in return, helps to give back to our community. “ She also wanted to recognize “that our local VFW does much for our school, scholars, and teachers throughout the year. They have been faithful in hosting a Christmas Party for more than 30 scholars each year. And I must recognize the local churches that continue to provide Christmas each year for our scholars. In total, 103 scholars have been adopted by local churches in the community.”
Over at A. Gary Walsingham Academy, Principal Amy Harvey is equally grateful for the beach churches, businesses, and individuals who ensure all students in need have resources. “We can always count on Woodlawn Church and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office,” she said. “Woodlawn Church, through their Project Merry Christmas, provides Christmas gifts to 20 students, they also provide Backpack blessings to 50 of our students every weekend all year,” Harvey explained.
Hutchison Beach Elementary Principal Glenda Nouskhajian said she’s very grateful this year to the Manual and Thompson Law Firm, which provided “58 new coats for our students through the Coats for Kids program.” Her school also receives support from Woodlawn Methodist Church and the school’s “Elevate Bay mentors who make sure they spread holiday cheer every single day.”
Breakfast Point Academy families benefit from the generous holiday assistance provided by the PCBPD, according to Principal Clint Whitfield who said 25 families were in line for assistance this holiday season. He also wanted to thank Woodlawn and Gulf Beach Presbyterian for their ongoing efforts to help BPA students. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that we have partners we can count on,” Whitfield said.
J.R. Arnold High School Principal Britt Smith said Destiny Church is “mission critical” for his school. “In addition to sharing their facility to host events for our school, they provide ongoing lift-me-up goodie bags to staff,” he said. ”These acts of kindness and encouragement help our staff know how supported they are by community members.”
All of our beach schools are amazing and the support for them seems to know no bounds. We’re grateful and thankful to all of the churches, businesses, and individuals who continue to ensure our beach students have what they need.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
