“It took our community pulling together to pull it off, but the Family Day celebration at Stevenson Elementary was a huge success,” says Carol Kees, Director of the Family Resource Center at Stevenson Elementary School. Mrs. Kees and assistant Debbie Elliot coordinated the efforts of several organizations to provide two seatings of a sit-down dinner, which included spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert, and drinks, as part of the “National Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Family” initiative.

Superintendent Leon Smith praised SES cafeteria manager Mary Ann Morris and her crew: “They cheerfully and tirelessly worked to serve over 500 people last night.  Their organization and ability to serve so many people in such a short amount of time is just wonderful to watch.”

Also on hand to help with the event were the RHS Ambassadors (led by Brandon Blake), the Panther Catering students (taught by Ashley McGinnis), members of the girls’ basketball team (coached by Cassie Reding), the RMS Jr. Beta Club (sponsored by Vicky Mathis and Lauren Fynboe), members from the Logan County Faith and Family Coalition, SES teachers and staff, Russellville Independent Schools central office staff, parents, and other volunteers.

National Family Day is based on research that, the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs. This year's event was sponsored by the SES Family Resource Center, Russellville Independent Schools, Butler-Logan-Simpson ASAP, Logan County Faith & Family Coalition, and the Olive Garden of Bowling Green.