Executive Director Teresa Warnick and Past-Family Bethany Baddorf

Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle (FIAEP), a local non-profit organization serving Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, celebrated its fourth annual Celebration of Friendship Picnic last Saturday, May 30.

Over 60 people crowded the Hollow Pavilion in War Memorial Park including volunteers, FIAEP Staff and Board members, low-income families working under the program and two accomplished, graduated families.

FIAEP provides mentoring to low-income families through teams of five to eight volunteers who work with them throughout a twelve month period. During the twelve months, the families and teams set and strive toward goals that will help the families pull themselves out of poverty. The picnic was held to celebrate all the success that both volunteers and their low-income clients have achieved as well as the service that Friends in Action has provided to the local community throughout the past four and a half years.

The pavilion was full of music and games that were enjoyed by all who had been brought together in their common hope and efforts to improve conditions for low-income individuals in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Food, beverages, and desserts were provided by Food Lion, Walmart, Martin’s Food Market, and McDonalds.

Blue Heron Dojo Sensei, Barbara Feldman, captivated the children with several demonstrations and a lesson in basic Karate techniques. Wonderment Puppet Theater’s Alien also made a visit and was welcomed by curious children, parents, and even passersby. Music was performed by Dashiell Feiler, an office employee, who sang classics including Muddy Waters and Neil Young throughout the afternoon.

“It’s just a great kick-off to the summer to be celebrating all that our families and volunteers have accomplished, knowing that next year we’ll be celebrating so much more.” Teresa Warnick, Executive Director.

Friends in Action, founded four and a half years ago, has assisted 38 families in the Eastern Panhandle to move toward social and financial independence and a better life through the mentoring of committed volunteer teams. The teams provide encouragement, self-confidence, integrity, knowledge of resources, and support to the families along with services such as transportation, child care, advocacy, and tutoring in the areas of parenting, budgeting, employment, and organization. If you would like to become involved, donate, or learn more about this cause you can visit their website at www.fiaep.org or call 876-8500