Herndon’s Floris UMC hosted its 25th annual chocolate festival on Saturday, Feb. 13. Guests sample and purchase chocolate confections, and enjoy games, large inflatables, face painting, balloon art and a silent auction table. Money raised from the event supports Help Hungry Kids, a program that sends food home with children in schools such as Hutchison and McNair elementary. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
Despite cold weather, families from around the Herndon area attended the Saturday chocolate festival hosted by Floris United Methodist Church. The family friendly event included face painting and balloon art, and lots of chocolate. Money raised from the event will support Help Hungry Kids, a program that sends food home in backpacks with children in schools such as Hutchison and McNair elementary. “We do this to help kids in our community,” said associate pastor Barbara Miner.
“It is a great thing the church does and goes to a great cause,” said Sheri Walker, a member of the congregation who volunteered for the event. “Chocolate brings people out,” said her daughter Amanda Walker.
The event lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and food and drinks were available for purchase. The family friendly event also featured games and a cookie decoration table. Church events and connections coordinator Tinbite Tamiru said Floris UMC offers many different support groups which met at the church. Another family friendly event will be the annual Family Easter Festival and Egg Hunt on March 12.
“It is a great event, it is great fun for the public, and great fun for the church,” said Susan Sweazen, a resident of Fairfax who volunteered for the first time at this festival. Many people looked forward to this event, and many parents enjoyed the opportunity to take their kids out of the house for some fun.
This was the 25th anniversary of the church’s chocolate festival. “We decided to add a science related activity,” said Renee Williams, the church’s Children’s Ministries coordinator. Williams helped kids with a chocolate volcano project, which included cocoa powder in a bowl with baking soda and vinegar. The popular chocolate fountain closed at 1:30 p.m.
For over fifteen years, Floris UMC has been in partnership with Hutchison Elementary School. Over the years, the church and school have worked together to serve the students and staff of the school. Another program offered at Floris United Methodist is Camp Hutchison. Started in 2011, Camp Hutchison is a three-week summer enrichment program held at Hutchison Elementary for up to 100 students entering the first, second and third grades. The program was developed in response to concerns relating to gaps in enrichment and nutrition for students during the summer months. Students are selected by Hutchison Elementary staff based on recommendations from teachers. Teachers consider which students might benefit most from summer learning and enrichment.
Other area congregations are planning February events. Life Ticket Church held its first official service Feb. 7 in the auditorium of Herndon High School. The congregation is led by Pastor Dorion Baker, who started Life Ticket Church with his wife Leah Baker.
Feb. 24, beginning at 6 p.m., Hendon United Methodist Church at 701 Bennett St., Herndon, invites everyone to join the annual Rebuilding Mission Ministry Chili Cook-Off GIFT Dinner. Proceeds will benefit church mission programs. This date was originally planned to be the Puppet Ministry dinner, so the Herndon UMC Puppet Ministry will be performing. A large turnout is expected. Saint Joseph Catholic Church at 750 Peachtree St., Herndon invites the public to join the friars and Boy Scouts at the Lenten Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross on Friday, Feb. 26, from 5-7 p.m. in the Parish Hall (School Entrance).