Fall 2025 Newsletter

Celebrating 40 Years of the Tillman Clocktower 5k and 2-Mile Health Walk

The 40th Annual Tillman Clocktower 5K Road Race and 2-Mile Health Walk on August 16th was a show of community support for the FRC. Over four hundred participants, a multitude of enthusiastic volunteers, and dozens of corporate race sponsors gathered under sunny skies to celebrate the race’s 40th year, cementing the event’s status as Rome’s oldest continuously-run 5k.

The Tillman Clocktower race attracts participants of all ages. This year, the youngest runner was Noah Chavez, age 5, while the most senior participant was Ted Hegenbarth, at 83 years young. Amid families, couples, neighbors, and friends, the two overall winners were Simon Schabort and Alishia Cook, clocking times of 18:31 and 21:08, respectively. The Masters category winners were Ryan Shrum (19:14) and Miranda Bagley (24:40). The Grand Masters winners were Theodore Stott (22:14) and Cindy Hale (29:00). Full results are available on our website.

Event Director Gail Johnson—with a remarkable twenty years at the helm—thanked the crowd for their support and hinted at passing the torch to co-directors Jason and Kelly Sanker. She assured us she would return next year as “the best volunteer ever.” FRC Director Tina Bartleson praised the expertise of the organizing team, noting, “It was nothing but smooth sailing—these guys are the best!”

We couldn't agree more! Thanks to all those who joined us for this event, and a special thanks to our 2025 sponsors listed below (or click here to view our sponsor page).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Texas Roadhouse Dine to Donate -

September 16th (That's next week!)

Skip cooking for the day and join us at Texas Roadhouse anytime from 3-10 pm. Tell your server you're with the Family Resource Center and 10% of your bill will come back to the FRC! If you joined us at Clocktower, this is a great time to use that free appetizer card that was in your race packet!

Paddles & Pals Pickleball Social -

September 20th (Also next week!)

Relaxed, non-competitive and fun - this social welcome players of all ages and skill levels with two participation options:

-- Instructional clinic to learn or refresh your pickleball skills

-- Social mixer for players to rotate partners and opponents throughout several games, ensuring they meet new people and experience diverse matchups.

Be sure to add these important dates to your calendar:

CAP Champ Breakfast - October 23, 2025

Honoring our 2025 sponsors and constituents who have supported the FRC at the level of Child Abuse Prevention Champion. This breakfast will feature program highlights from staff and a client.

Strike Out Child Abuse Bowling Night- November 14, 2025

The biggest and most fun bowling tournament in town! Teams of 5 players each compete for prizes (Highest Score, Best Team Name, and Best Team Costume), bragging rights, and great door prizes. Participants range in age from young adults to senior citizens, and bowling skills are optional!

FRC Receives TRBI Training Award

Parent Aide Supervisor Varina Bray has been awarded a scholarship by the RFCCCY for Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TRBI) Practitioner Training this October. Varina will be able to train FRC staff and coach parents on how to meet connection, felt-safety, and co-regulation needs using the TBRI model.

Trust-Based Relational Intervention is a care model designed to help children from hard places heal and flourish. Rooted in connection and understanding, it equips parents, teachers, and caregivers with practical tools to meet physical needs, build trust, and gently guide behavior. The goal is simple: to create safe, supportive relationships where every child can thrive.

FRC Rolls Out Lantern Text-Based Service

Raising a child is exciting, emotional, and can be exhausting! We are proud to introduce Lantern, a text-based messaging program to support parents in their journey! Lantern shares trusted information from pregnancy through preteen--supporting, informing, encouraging and connecting families.

Text the word BRIGHT to 274 448 to opt into messages, local resources, and tips for parenting through age 10 (or sign up online here).

For additional resources on bonding with a new baby, parents of children ages 0-1 can text the word BOND to 274 448 for tips for keeping parent and baby healthy and happy. New parents can also sign up here.

Don't forget -- you can link your Kroger Plus card to the FRC in their Community Rewards Program. When you swipe it to get your savings and discounts, a portion of your sale will be donated back to us! It's an easy and free for you way to support the Family Resource Center! Instructions on how to sign up or link your current account can be found here.

A huge thanks to the Junior Service League of Rome for putting on a donation drive for the FRC and bringing by a huge load of necessary supplies. We are also grateful to the group of Berry College freshman that came by to organize our supply closet after receiving so many new items.

Family Resource Center | www.frcrome.org