During Follansbee’s city council meeting on Monday, “Christmas in the Park” co-chair Bill Secrist awarded $17,000 to families of Brooke County Schools’ students with disabilities.
Secrist presented four families with $3,000 each and $4,000 to the R.E.A.C.H. program. The funds were raised through booth rentals, sponsorships, raffle tickets, and donations at Follansbee’s Christmas in the Park.
“We do it for these parents and these kids because I can’t imagine what they’re going through with the bills they have and the pressure and the stress they must go through,” Secrist said. “Hopefully, this will relieve a little bit of that and maybe put a little smile on their face for a short period of time, but at least we did that.”
“It’s definitely nice for the city to do,” parent Chaz Schaefer said. “It helps a lot for sure with all of his traveling expenses and constantly traveling for his medical care. Christmas in general. It’s a huge help for sure in a huge boost and one that we’re very very grateful for,” Chaz Schaefer expressed with gratitude.