The Warren Coalition will host a free, in-person Trauma-Supportive Training and Certification course on Thursday, February 12th, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Warren County Community Center. This is the first time in over two years that the Coalition has offered this Level 2 course to the community.
Trauma-Supportive Training teaches the knowledge and skills required to support those possibly affected by trauma and toxic stress. Attendees will learn resilience-based practices that are applicable to classrooms, offices, and public services. They will also understand strategies to address hidden effects of trauma & toxic stress and to foster resilience in the individual and community.
Registration is required. To sign up for the Trauma-Supportive Training and Certification being held on February 12th, visit bit.ly/ts-feb2026. Please note that to be eligible for the Trauma Supportive Training: Course 2, you must have a Trauma-Informed (Course 1) certification.
For more information, email Celeste Brooks at celeste@warrencoalition.org.
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.
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!
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.
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.
