Skip to content
Featured Stories Recreation Outreach To Community Kids (R.O.C.K.)

Recreation Outreach To Community Kids (R.O.C.K.)

Recreation Outreach to Community Kids (R.O.C.K.) – A partnership between the Town of Leesburg, Parks and Recreation Department and the Leesburg Police Department, R.O.C.K. provides positive recreation and leisure experiences through after-school and summer programs. Children aged 5 to 12 from lower and middle income families, and who reside in the four communities within the Town of Leesburg are eligible to enroll. R.O.C.K. provides activities that encourage more structured, positive socialization and also increase children’s awareness of their community.

Loudon Interfaith Relief (LIR) – This food pantry supplies perishable and non-perishable food items directly to those in need. The goal of LIR is to provide support and assistance to families of different faiths, towards the goal of self-sufficiency and community-building. As the population of Loudon County increases, so do the number of people who require assistance, along with the number of families, individuals, and organizations that step forward to serve their community. Many underprivileged people rely upon food services like the LIR for sustenance on a daily basis.

Recently, The Empower Foundation and LIR partnered with R.O.C.K. to provide breakfast and snacks to children attending summer school, as well as their siblings. On a hot, sunny morning, the Empower Foundation team arrived at LIR to pick up snacks and drinks. Mobilizing with other volunteers, the group set up a food assembly line in a designated Leesburg public park. Sleepy children started arriving, but they quickly became excited and happy to meet the volunteers and enjoyed hearty and healthy breakfasts. The Empower Foundation team greatly enjoyed the company of the bright and enthusiastic children, and felt privileged to partake in the event.