CCHS seniors volunteer to help nonprofit groups

Churchill County High School seniors learned about opportunities to volunteer for local nonprofit organizations during the school’s annual Community Service Fair held Aug. 31.

The volunteering possibilities offered some serious ways to help and some that were on the lighter side. Decorating, acting, coaching, food service, remodeling, animal care and scaring were all on the list.

The fair was intended to give the seniors in Monica Fairbanks’ English IV class some ideas to help them acquire six hours of service before Nov. 8. Fairbanks said it’s not a graduation requirement but will be considered a missing assignment in her class if not completed.

Fairbanks mentioned that students often start out reluctant to volunteer but 90-95% come back to her later and say, “Hey, that was pretty cool." She also said the experience helps students to stand out on college applications.

English teacher Laurel Topken encouraged her students to attend the fair so they could see what opportunities are available in the county and find out how they can get involved.

Presenters included Jessica Huckaby representing the historic Fallon Theatres who asked for help to decorate for this year’s “The Addams Family” theme nights. She said that without volunteers decorating for this kind of event takes two people over 100 hours to set up.

Volunteers are also welcome every weekend in the theatre’s concessions stand during regular movie showings and participants get free popcorn and soda during their shift.

Huckaby also talked about the theatre’s Oct. 14 classic car Show 'n Shine and a remodeling project under the theatre’s stage that will be starting soon.

Anyone interested in helping should register through the website at https://signup.com/go/kZGwTph.

Churchill County Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Robyn Jordan, invited the seniors to participate in four events.

She said dinner and/or breakfast helpers are needed during the OATBRAN bike race on Sept. 25 and 26. Assistance is also needed for the No Hill Hundred Century bike tour on Oct. 7 and for the Scarecrow Factory during the Fall Festival at Lattin Farms.

The county’s annual Haunted House is Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Halloween, and the project needs decorators ahead of time and actors each night.

“This is perfect for anyone that likes scary movies or acting or wants to scare anyone,” Jordan said.

Information and the volunteer registration form can be found at churchillcountyrecreation.org.

Greenwave Youth Wrestling representative Margaret Scharmann said the club needs help with coaching during the year and concessions, scorekeeping and security during tournaments.

Fairbanks added some additional suggestions including the Soroptimist International of Fallon’s quarter auction on Oct. 14, the Churchill County Coalition, the Pennington Life Center, Churchill County Museum, Churchill County Library and the monthly breakfast at the Eagles’ Hall.

“There are all kinds of nonprofit community organizations or clubs in this town,” she said. “Our hope is that through this project you're going to find out just how much they rely on volunteers.”

Senior student Brayden Paul said he’s considering volunteering with the cats and dogs at Churchill Animal Protection Society or the Fallon Animal Shelter because he loves animals. He signed up for the haunted house as well since he likes putting things together.

“It’s a good opportunity to have fun with it and scare some people," he said.

Senior Aaliyah Galindo is also interested in the haunted house. She said she has walked though it in previous years and now she wants to be on the other side.

"I want to scare people," she said.