Despite restrictions, FCA lends a helping hand in the community

Holiday cheer: Members of FCA gather to make gingerbread houses for local nursing home residents. Lifting holiday spirits is just one way the club aspires to impact the community.

By Rheanna DeCrow

Even though FCS is one of the smaller clubs at Bettendorf High School, it’s members are making a big difference. Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a spiritual club that gears its teachings toward helping athletes grow in their faith on and off the field, track, court, and rink.

Last year, the group hosted Fields of Faith and attracted fellow clubs from all over the Quad City area to the TouVille Stadium to worship together. The event was a major spiritual awakening and connection for many students, even attracting the attention of the local news.

Unfortunately, with social distancing rules in affect, Fields of Faith was not in the cards for the group this year.

Not only have events been cancelled, but the club also had to rethink the way they meet, having to connect online through Zoom.

“Finding a time and place outside of school to meet where everyone can meet together comfortably has been hard,” said junior Hannah Beintma.

Regardless, the group has not let the pandemic get in the way of making impacts on the community.

FCA has been making moves toward a more service based club. Somewhat of a last minute effort, the group fundraised to be able to provide meals to the families of incarcerated criminals and those in need.

After fundraising what they could, the club sponsor Pamela Klim made a few calls to the local grocery stores around town. Thanks to Fairway Grocery, the club was able to buy full Thanksgiving meals complete with all the trimmings.

For the club, it was a great first step toward making a difference in the community.

“We've been trying to find new ways for reaching out to the community and those who want to develop a relationship with God,” said junior member Amanda Scott.

The next step in their journey of service began an idea for a bonding activity. The club had already planned to make gingerbread houses for fun around the holiday season. When no one seemed very interested in taking their creations home, they came up with the idea to connect with a local nursing home.

After two hours spent creating houses, pretzel reindeer, and even a train, the group spent another hour signing cards for residents and assembling a full gingerbread village.

“We went all out to make an awesome setup so they could keep their holiday spirit up when times are tough,” said senior Audrey Whitaker.

The group continues to plan service activities and fundraisers in order to make the biggest, safest impact in the community as they can, as well as raising the morale of the students of Bettendorf High School. They have high hopes of relocating their meeting back to the school for the last semester of the year.

“As a club, our future goals are to connect with outreach programs to reach members of our community and share God’s love,” said Beintima.

Rheanna DeCrow is a senior; this

is her first year as staff writer and

social media managaer.