ARTHUR – For the Arthur Pentecostal Assembly, it is about giving back to the community.
Recently, the church took the initiative to assist local parents dealing with education workers’ strikes by offering a “School’s Out Day Camp.”
On Feb. 4 and 6, the church held the day camp for students in JK to Grade 6. Free of charge, the camp provided games, snacks, crafts, a movie and lunch.
“As a church we are constantly looking for ways to be part of the community and where we can give back to the community,” said Arthur Pentecostal Assembly Pastor Roy Hyde.
“We saw a need. With the teachers out, parents were looking for things for their children to do.”
Traditionally, parents would take time off work or find someone to take care of their children.
“We realized as this walkout goes further on, there are additional needs. As a church we saw this as an opportunity to support families and give them a place – for free – and provide activities for their children during this time.”
Hyde said support from the community was fairly good.
“It’s a lot of fun-based stuff with a lot of games and crafts,” he said of the camp, adding that on Thursday, the children did a bit of drama.
He noted there was also a free hot dog lunch and snacks.
“It’s just a time for the kids to burn off some energy … and it’s been a lot of fun,” he said.
“It’s all very simple; we’re trying to meet a need as much as we can within the community.”
Hyde noted that earlier, the church held a teacher appreciation lunch on a PD day.
“We wanted to let them know we were so thankful for investing their lives into our kids’ lives,” he said.
