Local childcare center offers family festivities this Friday

Heartland Academy will celebrate its last day of open enrollment this Friday with local first responders in the afternoon and a Family Fun Night later that evening for residents to enjoy.

The center invites and encourages residents to stop by for a glass of lemonade or a treat.

“We have extended the invitation to our community and civic leaders as well,” Tammy Smithers said.

This is Heartland Academy’s first local event of this kind. The facility will also be putting on a Family Fun Night the same evening where a silent auction will also be hosted in order to raise money for school supplies.

“We will have bounce houses, games, concessions, vendors and a silent auction,” Smithers said. “All profits from concessions and money that is collected from the silent auction will be used to purchase school supplies for area schools that have children in need. We all come across struggling families that work hard but need a little help now and then. We hope that we can purchase a significant amount of school supplies that can help our community.”

The event will take place at 106 Courchelle Drive in Nicholasville from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Friday, with Family Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Those who attend the event will also be able to tour the facility.

Smithers said the idea came to them because the heat is hot this summer and their class wanted to offer refreshments and a time to visit with the community. The event was also organized with the idea in mind to show local first responders Heartland Academy’s appreciation.

“We hope that we can continue to help the school children and their families in our community,” Smither said. “Heartland Academy is a Christian based center and we teach our children about helping others and an act of kindness can change a person’s day or circumstance. We want to lead by example, and at some point, in each one of our lives, the kindness of others has made an impact on your own life.”

Local vendors who will be on site during the event include: Kona Ice, California Crafted, Gigi’s on Main, Sirius Bling, Hey Y’all Company and Land and Lee. Heartland Academy offers childcare services from six weeks to 12 years old. The academy also offers a prekindergarten readiness program. Open enrollment for all classrooms are currently being conducted. Residents may sign up until Friday at noon. Silent Auction items Friday night include: gift cards from local stores and restaurants, gift baskets and personalized items for the home.

“We take the heart in Heartland very seriously,” Smithers said. “We love our children and their families, and we become a part of their daily lives. We celebrate in their good times. We have cried when a family has faced hardships and loss. We try to be encouraging and offer peace knowing that we are diligently watching over their child while they are in our care. Please come out and join us for a cold glass of lemonade, and then come back and join in the festivities later that evening in our Friday Fun Night.”

For more information call 859-887-0822.

Brittany Fuller is the editor of The Jessamine Journal. Contact her at brittany.fuller@jessaminejournal.com.