Category: News

  • Warren Coalition Receives GDU Community Award

    Warren Coalition Receives GDU Community Award

    FRONT ROYAL, VA—In the midst of preparing for Celebrate Kids Day, Warren Coalition’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Celeste Brooks, received some fun news: she and the Warren Coalition had been selected to receive the Global Day of Unplugging’s “Community Award” in honor of their work on “Warren County Unplugged” this past March!

    “In 2025, in Front Royal, you helped create something rare: space for people to step away from screens, look each other in the eye, and feel the power of real connection,” the letter accompanying the award reads. “That’s no small thing. This certificate isn’t just paper. It’s a testament to your part in a growing movement to reclaim our time, attention, and presence — and to the difference that simple, human moments can make.”

    With over 40 businesses, agencies, and nonprofit organizations participating in some way, the Coalition’s second year of encouraging Warren County residents was considered a resounding success by Brooks and the rest of the committee. But they didn’t expect national recognition for their efforts.

    “We were just focused on creating the awareness,” Brooks said. “And obviously the more organizations we have engaged, the greater the awareness.”

    Heather Rollins was taking photos during the Youth Unplugged Party and caught Celeste Brooks darting around. The Youth Unplugged Party was an event geared towards kids K-12 and was part of Warren County Unplugged this past March.

    This isn’t the first time that the work of Brooks and the Coalition was noticed by the Global Day of Unplugging (GDU) staff. The GDU staff were so impressed with the social media work on the first event held in 2024, called “Warren County IRL (In Real Life),” that they named Warren County an honorary “Unplugged Village.” That first event had mixed attendance at events, but signed up over 100 people to forego screens for at least a few hours during the 24-hour challenge, thanks to Brooks and Michael Whitlow of Over 50 Media. This year, the Coalition teamed up with Warren County Parks & Recreation and Warren County Public Schools to provide a stronger emphasis on youth, sending out educational materials through the schools and online, and organizing a “Youth Unplugged Party.” It is estimated that over 800 people participated in events throughout the weekend, and nearly 250 signed up to “unplug” for at least a few hours.

    A blind-folded volunteer, Jason Neale, chases children with a foam sword. The children had rubber chickens strapped to their feet. The goal was to not get hit with the sword, but if the chickens didn’t give away the kids, their happy squeals and laughter did!

    “If we can get folks to think about their phone use, even for just one day, it can help them recognize unhealthy dependencies,” Brooks pointed out. “In many of the post-event surveys, people say they didn’t realize how much time they spend on their phones. Those who participate enjoy the break, even if they find it challenging.”

    The committee has already begun to plan for the 2026 event, which will be held March 6th-7th. If you would like to learn how your business or organization can participate, contact Celeste Brooks at celeste@warrencoalition.org or 540-660-3367.

    Warren Coalition, celebrating 30 years of service to Warren County, is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.

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  • Record Celebrate Kids Day Ends with Surprise Honor

    Record Celebrate Kids Day Ends with Surprise Honor

    Warren Coalition’s Celebrate Kids Day just keeps getting bigger (and better!) every year, and that trend continued this year for the 12th annual event held in Warren County. Hosted by Warren Coalition at the Health & Human Services Complex, Celebrate Kids Day welcomed 539 children and their families, setting a record attendance for the fourth year in a row! It also featured a surprise twist at the end that even Executive Director Christa Shiflett wasn’t expecting.

    This year’s festival offered the traditional favorites: various inflatable rides (sponsored by Giles B. Cook American Legion #33), pony rides, face painting, free pumpkins to paint (sponsored by Front Royal Dental Care), and games (with prizes!) provided by the Warren Coalition. It also featured a few new activities, including inflatable racing orbs and a giant rocking horse (the latter was borrowed from Sue and Chris Laurence of White Picket Fence and Key Move Realty). An expanded outdoor area allowed Celebrate Kids Day to welcome 20 agencies, organizations, and nonprofits that provided their own games or activities. There were even a few businesses that joined in the fun, including Lowes!

    Warren Coalition was excited to welcome Jig ‘n’ Jive and All Star Legacy Cheer back to the event. The students performed beautifully, to the enthusiastic delight of their audiences. (One toddler was so excited by Jig ‘n’ Jive that he tried to gallop out onto the dance floor with them!)

    A major change this year occurred in the way the Coalition provided prizes, which were sponsored by Front Royal Kiwanis Club and Northwestern Community Services Board. Traditionally, the Coalition awarded a prize as soon as a child wins a game. This year, they decided to go counter to the idea of “instant gratification” and used a stamp card that was marked whenever the child won a game. Children could earn as many stamps as they wanted. At any time during the day, they could visit the prize table in the gym and use their stamps to “purchase” one or more prizes.

    This approach allowed the Coalition to provide higher value prizes, providing each child with a few popular and or/resilience-based prizes, such as Squishmallows, crafts, and board games, rather than a collection of inexpensive toys (that often wind up in the trash). More importantly, it provided children with a small lesson in resilience—keep playing the game until you win, so you get a stamp—and saving for a larger reward, a self-discipline that is often lost in today’s electronic-based culture.

    For the hard-working fundraisers, the heat of the day was broken up by a chance to sit in the Pitch Burst. A total of 13 people were challenged to raise funds for the Coalition and in return, they had 11-inch water balloons popped over their heads. While not every person met the $500 goal, the group swept by the overall goal, raising a total of $7,660! The Rotary Club of Warren County especially took the challenge to heart; they had four people sitting in the Pitch Burst and together they raised $3,575! Included in that group was the top fundraiser, Warren County Sheriff Crystal Cline, who gathered $1,945 in donations. Jody Lee, Skyline Middle School Principal, took second place with $1,250. For her triumph, Crystal received a gift bag of goodies, the Pitch Burst Traveling Trophy, and, of course, bragging rights for the next year.

    During the last few minutes of Celebrate Kids Day, the Coalition staff gathered in the gymnasium, with only Community Outreach Coordinator Celeste Brooks knowing that they were there for a presentation by Delegate Delores Oates. Delegate Oates had been looking for a chance to recognize the Coalition with a Commending Resolution since late last winter, when it was passed by the Virginia House of Delegates. With an emotional Christa Shifflett at her side, Delegate Oates read out some of the highlights of the resolution, recognizing the Coalition for its 30th anniversary in 2024 and for making a positive difference in the community. Delegate Oates also praised Christa for her leadership and the ways in which she personally has made a difference in Warren County.

    Mark the calendar for next year’s Celebrate Kids Day on September 27, 2026!

  • New Date Set for Midnight Cornhole Tournament

    New Date Set for Midnight Cornhole Tournament

    The Warren Coalition’s late-night cornhole tournament for high school students in Warren County has been rescheduled for Friday, November 10th. This is a single-division tournament with just one champion team at the end. The entry fee for a team is $10 at the door (cash only) or $5 for an individual who wants to be paired up with someone else.

    Students must be accompanied by an adult (18+) who can provide transportation at the end of the evening. (A parent or guardian is not required.) The end time will depend on the number of participants.

    There will be additional side games with prizes (no extra charge), as well as chips and drinks for sale, cash only.

    Pre-registration is not required. For more information, email wc@warrencoalition.org!

    Join us on Friday, November 10th at 10:00 pm at the 15th Street Gym (at the Health & Human Services Complex, 465 West 15th Street) for late-night fun!

    Hosted by Warren Coalition and Warren County Parks & Recreation.

  • Warren County Food Drive Oct 14-26

    Local Food Pantries Running Low; Food Drive Set for Oct 14-26

    At a recent Adult Needs Committee meeting hosted by the Warren Coalition, several members reported that local food pantries are running low on supplies, and the number of people seeking food assistance is increasing.

    To help local food pantries restock their shelves, the Committee decided to host a short-notice food drive, kicking it off at the Festival of Leaves on October 14th and ending at the Jack O’Lantern Jubilee on October 26th.

    Donations of nonperishable foods are welcome. This includes canned meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit. Meat is typically the item most needed and the least donated. Pop-tops or pouches are ideal, as some recipients may not have can openers. Donations may also include cereal, oatmeal, powdered milk, rice, instant potatoes, pasta, and canned soups and stews.

    Collection Points

    Throughout the drive, collection boxes will be available at the following locations:
    • Front Royal Town Hall, 102 E Main St
    • Front Royal Visitors Center, 414 E Main St
    • Warren County Community Center, 538 Villa Ave
    • Social Services Office, 465 W. 15th St (outside near drop box)
    • Samuels Public Library, 330 E Criser Rd
    • Warren County Government Center, 220 N Commerce Ave

    There will also be collection boxes at the Festival of Leaves in downtown Front Royal, October 14th, 10 am to 6 pm at the Visitor’s Center Tent, and the Jack O’Lantern Jubilee at the Health and Human Services Complex football field (465 W 15th Street) on October 26th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Randolph-Macon Academy Middle School Interact Club will also be collecting food.

    Participating Food Pantries

    In addition, you may bring food donations directly to several of the food pantries. Call ahead to ensure they will be open when you arrive and are available to receive donations:
    • C-CAP, 400 Kendrick Lane, Suite B; 540-636-2448
    • The Embassy Deliverance and Worship Center, 413 South St, Suite G&H (Friday nights); 540-636-9595
    • Helping Hands (Warren Charge UMC), donations by appointment only; 540-683-9080
    • Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Catholic Charities, 613 N Royal Ave; 540-252-4320
    • Salvation Army, 357 Cloud St; 540-635-4020
    • Warren County Department of Social Services, 465 W 15th St; 540-635-3430

    Other food pantries may also be accepting donations. Only those that agreed to participate in this food drive are listed here; we will add others as they join in.

    Even if the pantry you typically support is not on this list, they may still need your help! Please check in with them. 

  • Crowds Attend Warren Coalition’s Celebrate Kids Day Despite Weather

    The tenth annual Celebrate Kids Day on September 24th, hosted by Warren Coalition and Warren County Parks and Recreation, saw huge crowds in spite of a change in venue this year and the weekend appearance by Tropical Storm Ophelia.

    While the move to the Health & Human Services Complex was expected and well-advertised, the large amount of rain forecasted for the weekend caused the Coalition to pivot, bringing the popular inflatable rides into the 15th Street Gym at the Health & Human Services Complex. Diversified Minds (Warren County Public Schools), which has a building on the same campus, graciously permitted some of the local agencies to move their tables into their conference room, allowing the event to spread out.

    It was fortunate that they did so, as the gym, the “band room” where the face painting and pumpkin painting were taking place, and the conference room were all packed with people for most of the three-hour event. The pitch burst and petting zoo remained outside; the pony ride vendor canceled before the event began.

    Organizers estimate that 800 to 900 people, including adults, attended the event. Inside the gym, children enjoyed various inflatable rides, including a giant slide, a moon bounce, an obstacle course, a rock wall, and a T-ball challenge. In addition, 200 children received a free pumpkin, with many of them painting the pumpkins and/or getting their faces festively painted. The gym was also home to several games, the cake and health walks, concessions, and tables and activities with the Salvation Army, Warren County Parks & Recreation, MeKari Sweets by Tiffany, and All-Star Legacy Cheer, which also gave demonstrations by various age groups.

    Inside the Diversified Minds conference room, there were additional games and activities as well as additional tables hosted by local agencies: Department of Social Services, Girl Scouts, Phoenix Project, St. Luke’s Community Clinic, Randolph-Macon Academy, Community Connections, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Arc of Warren, and Northwestern Community Services Board.

    In their travels from one building to another, children could pause to throw balls at the pitch burst, breaking 11-inch water balloons over eight enthusiastic volunteers who raised a combined total of $6400 for “honor” of having water balloons burst over their heads: Jen Avery of Jenspiration, LLC, Captain Crystal Cline of Front Royal Police Department (FRPD), Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Cheryl Cullers, FRPD Police Chief Kahle Magalis, George McIntyre of the Apple House, Kristen Pence of Warren County Veterinarian Clinic and Warren County School Board, Warren County Sheriff Office’s Lieutenant Robbie Seal (sitting in for Sheriff Mark Butler), and WZRV DJ Randy Woodward.

    The Coalition held the $1 per child cost for the event for the second consecutive year. This was made possible by the sponsors who stepped up this year: Front Royal Dental Care, Front Royal Elks Lodge #2382, Fraternal Order of Police Front Royal-Warren County Lodge #33, Warren County Parks and Recreation, Front Royal Kiwanis, American Legion, and Auto Center. In addition to these, City National Bank covered the entire cost of the petting zoo!

    Celebrate Kids Day would not have been possible without the additional organizations and businesses that provided valuable support. Card My Yard provided attention-grabbing signage to draw people to the new location. Horton’s Nursery and Garden Center worked hard to find pumpkins at the lowest possible price, and provided them at cost to the Coalition. Unity Masonic Lodge No 146 volunteers brought their grill and cooked up the burgers for the day. MeRaki Sweets by Tiffany donated a box of goodies for the cake walk, and Fox’s Pizza donated two pizzas and provided a discount on the rest. Martin’s provided a $50 gift card to help fund the food, and sent a volunteer over to assist with the event. Navy Federal Credit Union and Shenandoah University Women’s Field Hockey team provided many of the volunteers. When the weather prompted a need for a last-minute promotional push to let the community know that the event was still going to happen, Royal Examiner put it front-and-center in their news, and WZRV pushed it out as well.

    “This is a true example of how a community can come together to make something good happen,” said Christa Shifflett, Executive Director of the Warren Coalition. “Warren County Parks & Recreation, Diversified Minds, our sponsors, local businesses, our pitch burst fundraisers, tons of community volunteers, parents who took time to bring their kids, and of course my amazing staff…everyone pitched in to do their part and make Celebrate Kids Day a success in spite of the weather. It literally brings tears to my eyes.”

    Warren Coalition is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.

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