On August 19, the Village of Searights housing community opened its grounds for an End‑of‑Summer Celebration, giving residents a chance to enjoy a carnival‑themed day of fun before school started again. The event featured a bounce house, dunk tank, slip‑and‑slide, and a variety of classic carnival game booths, along with food vendors serving snacks for children and adults alike.
Roots in the Summer Food Program
The inspiration for the celebration came from the Village staff’s participation in the Uniontown Area School District’s Summer Food Program. That program, which ran from June 8 through August 14, provided breakfast and lunch to district children seven days a week at twelve community sites and five designated “Grab‑and‑Go” locations. Over the course of the program, an estimated 21,000 meals were served to district children.
Village of Searights served as one of the “Grab‑and‑Go” sites, allowing children living in the community to pick up meals Monday through Friday. Staff who helped distribute the meals reported seeing the gratitude and joy on the children’s faces, a response that motivated them to give back to the community in a special way.
Community volunteers and local sponsors
Planning and execution of the celebration were a true community effort. Village staff coordinated with a host of local volunteers and vendors who donated time, supplies, and services. The event was made possible in large part by sponsorship from the management company Westgate and its owner, Steve Friedman, as well as contributions from several local businesses:
- Nan Chess and the First Presbyterian Church of Fairchance, which provided book bags filled with school supplies for the children.
- Route 40 McDonald’s and Taco Bell, which offered food items for the festivities.
- Five Below, Head Start of Fayette County, and DJ Faimz Aimz, each adding entertainment or resources.
- Numerous patrons who donated school clothing, raffle prizes and their time.
These contributions helped create a lively atmosphere that families could enjoy together, reinforcing the sense of neighborly support that defines the Village of Searights.
Recognition of the Summer Food Program team
The Village also took the opportunity to publicly thank the Uniontown Area School District for running the Summer Food Program. Director of Food Services Chuck Brown and the cafeteria staff were singled out for their dedication in feeding children throughout the summer, making the program possible and laying the groundwork for the community celebration.
By linking the celebration to the Summer Food Program, the Village of Searights highlighted the importance of ensuring children have reliable nutrition during school breaks—a core value for families who rely on consistent meals for their youngsters.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the success of this year’s End‑of‑Summer Celebration will set a precedent for future community events. With strong volunteer participation, generous local sponsorship, and a clear focus on supporting families, the Village of Searights aims to continue fostering a safe, family‑friendly environment that reflects the community’s shared values of faith, family and individual liberty.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
