The Family Enrichment Center thanked its sponsors, interns, board members and volunteers Monday for being &#8220Essential Pieces of the Puzzle” at a puzzle-themed luncheon of prime rib at Outback Steakhouse.

&#8220This is just a small thing that we can do to show you how much we appreciate what you do for the Family Enrichment Center,” said Nickie Jones, director of operations. &#8220How can I tell you how great you are?”

Legions of volunteers supplement the Family Enrichment Center’s 18 staff members – 13 of which are at Wee Care, their day-care facility – by putting in time equivalent to that of a year-round full-time and part-time employee, Jones said. The board of directors alone have logged nearly 500 volunteer hours so far this year, joining the center in its mission, &#8220empowering families and preventing child abuse.”

&#8220You see a lot of these faces – sometimes, I think they’re employed by us,” she said.

She thanked board Chairwoman Amy Bingham, who coordinated a new fundraiser – &#8220Funniest Kids Around” – this year, as well as the &#8220maintenance men” and employees’ husbands who take care of routine repairs and yardwork around the center. Local churches are also invaluable, Jones said, as they routinely provide willing laborers, funds and other help.

Director of Development Jennifer Bryant was cut off by cheers and applause when she spoke of the &#8220Run & Walk for Children,” an annual race that attracts hundreds of runners and raises thousands for the center. This year, 725 people participated in the race; 175 people volunteered on race day and at the pasta party the night before.

&#8220Family Enrichment Center couldn’t do what it does now without the Run & Walk for Children,” Bryant said. &#8220This year, we raised over $58,000.”

Another fundraiser, Buckets of Hope, raised nearly $18,500 for the center, she said. Now in its third year, Buckets of Hope asks schoolchildren for their spare change – and this year, Potter-Gray Elementary School students led the pack in money raised. The event is a real community effort, Bryant said, with local businesses offering to count the money, donate paint buckets to collect the money and providing gift certificates and other rewards for children who participate.

Program Coordinator Davy Rupsch recognized a &#8220crucial group” at the Family Enrichment Center – their interns, who do everything from answer phones and cleaning to filling in for any and all positions. Their group of about 10 interns worked hundreds of hours, resulting in a good partnership between Western Kentucky University and the Family Enrichment Center.

Senior Faith Hood, 22, a family studies major from Frankfort, said she learned of the Family Enrichment Center when her adviser set her up with an interview. She began her internship in January and will finish in May.

&#8220I like it,” she said. &#8220I think the center is very family-oriented, and I think the goal there is very beneficial.”

As this month is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Family Enrichment Center’s goals are particularly important, Hood said.

&#8220A lot of people often overlook abuse itself, and the fact that the Family Enrichment Center recognizes children and recognizes their needs and their wants … it gives you hope for the future, because children are the future,” she said.

Longtime volunteer Brenda Wray of Bowling Green started working at Wee Care in 1971, she said, eventually becoming its coordinator before dropping back to a part-time employee at age 62. For the past eight years, she’s been a volunteer at the daycare because she couldn’t bear to retire and leave the children.

What keeps her there is &#8220my love for children – I didn’t want to ever be to where I can’t love on little people,” she said.

The Family Enrichment Center gives children the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing, loving environment, allowing them to realize their dreams and become tomorrow’s leaders, Wray said.

&#8220I think it’s a great opportunity for the community and the people in the community to come together and do what we need to do to help our children,” she said.

-For more information, contact the Family Enrichment Center at 781-6714 or visit www.familyenrichmentcenter.com.

By the numbers

So far this year:

483 people have volunteered at the Family Enrichment Center.

1,029 children were served.

3,050 volunteer hours were logged.

– Family Enrichment Center