Friends to Apex Middle
By Christian Freed
Time is a resource that’s difficult to control in this crazy world. Oh sure, we think we own it by making plans and adhering to schedules, but nothing we do stops the slow crawl of time. That makes it incredibly important to think carefully about how we approach the future and, perhaps more importantly, how we choose to spend it.
A group of Apex residents, congregation members from Cornerstone Fellowship and Resurrection Life Church, banded together with purpose and community to donate the precious resource of their time to answer a call to action. Meeting in Apex Middle School is the Friends to Apex Middle, or F.A.M. This close-knit group of volunteers may have united through their churches, but they are dedicated to doing their part to ensure the students and teachers at Apex Middle School receive the necessary supplies and items required for a successful school year.
Parents know the numbers crunch. Wake County Public Schools never seems to have enough funds to go around. F.A.M. was born on a whim, starting with Mike Noel, Apex Police Department chaplain and a pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship, and sixth grade assistant principal Ms. Arvis Bridges-Epps. Both saw an unprecedented opportunity and leapt in head-first.
“The F.A.M. came out of our church’s desire to practically demonstrate the love of Christ in our community,” Mike says. “We were, and are, looking for opportunities to serve and be involved in the town of Apex.”
That call was heard by others, and the result is an outreach organization filled with charity and concern, championed by several Apex Middle School teachers. Julia Martin serves as the seventh-grade liaison. Her efforts go above and beyond what is expected of our educators and that’s something she is proud of. “I’ve had the privilege of volunteering at AMS a couple times now through the F.A.M. and it has been a joy to interact with everyone there. Just recently, I was able to help with the seventh graders’ annual kickball tournament. Helping facilitate fun for the kids is so rewarding! It is so fun to join our community in this way and build relationships!”
Her sentiments are echoed by others drawn together in the belief of love for neighbors and service to community. Members enthusiastically show up for every event, whether it is leading a group to paint the sixth-grade hallway, like Ray Mulligan did, or helping create bonds across the community as associate pastor Ben Tangeman does.
“What a great opportunity F.A.M. has provided to give back to the community and the next generation, right here in our backyard!” Ray says with paint-stained hands.
Retired teacher Ronald Jones knows firsthand the struggles teachers face as they strive to do what is best for their students. Sometimes a little extra TLC is needed. From collecting gift basket items for the holidays or providing a faculty meal during long workdays, every little bit helps relieve some of the stress.
You might think F.A.M. has been around for a while, but that’s not the case. F.A.M. is still in its infancy. A first-year organization, they don’t have regular meetings, instead relying on a robust email chain of communication and the occasional pizza luncheon for updates and planning. Yet, they have already amassed an impressive list of accomplishments.
Some of their efforts include:
Helping with a staff breakfast and then a chili luncheon before the beginning of the school year
Providing funds to decorate a teacher workroom
Providing gift cards for the “Teacher of the Month” recognition at faculty meetings
Serving popcorn and water to the students for their open house
Taking photos of the new sixth graders on their first day at Apex Middle School
Making candy baskets for Halloween
Painting the sixth-grade hallway
Making “thank you” baskets for Veterans Day
Making holiday gift baskets for the staff
Helping with End of Quarter game day
Packing 300 snack bags for a sixth-grade field trip
Helping with the Book Fair in the Media Center
Building and delivering ten wooden benches for the school’s main courtyard
Helping with End of Grade testing
There are over 20 public schools in Apex, each with obvious needs for staff and students. Opportunities abound if you know where to look. F.A.M. is far from exclusive. Though they may have been born in the halls of two churches, they welcome anyone able to invest their heart, talent, and precious time for the benefit of the next generation. It is their hope that readers, including town and civic leaders, will take inspiration from F.A.M. and engage with their own neighborhood schools. After all, communities are strong when all are working together.
Ron states, “It is most satisfying to know that a small portion of Apex will be better through our efforts. We at the F.A.M. look forward to doing more next school year — more for the staff, the school, and the students.”
The work F.A.M. does is for everyone who believes in strong bonds of fellowship, community, and giving back. It’s a chance to help others, even through the smallest of deeds. Greatness is built upon the backs of those with heart, and the men and women of F.A.M. are all heart when it comes to Apex Middle School.
We live in a world where time is consumed before we wake up. A world where our attention is pulled in a thousand different directions. It’s good to know there are people out there whose time is spent meaningfully for the benefit of our children and our schools.
If you’d like to learn more or you have a hankering to roll up your sleeves and help out alongside neighbors who are remarkable citizens, you can contact Ronald Jones directly at friendstoapexmiddle@gmail.com, or express interest via online form at cornerstoneapex.org/serve/team/friends-of-apex-middle.
