Kory Burel said ever since he became pastor of Bemiston Baptist Church, he wanted to help make a positive impact on the community the church served, and he didn’t have to look far.

“We’re in a good position. We’re right across the street,” Burel said. “I call it a gold mine.”

Right across from Bemiston Baptist Church is Raymond L. Young Elementary School.

“They’re great,” R.L. Young principal Pattie Thomas said. “They have embraced us.”

Bemiston Baptist Church has adopted the elementary school, offering not only material support but moral support.

“We need more of this in Talladega,” Thomas said. “We need support, not just material things.”

She said it’s the small things the church does to help boost moral, bringing smiles to students and teachers.

She said one small gesture by the church includes bringing fresh baked cookies to the teachers as a special treat at the end of the week.

“A little gesture of kindness goes a long way,” Thomas said.

She said when Burel first arrived he knew there was a reason the school was so close to the Bemiston church.

She said before the start of the school year, the church provided teachers with classroom supplies.

Thomas said at the end of the year, the church hosts a special luncheon for the teachers and staff.

“This has been an ongoing thing,” she said.

Friday the church was treating students to snow cones and today the church youth group is painting playground equipment at the school.

“Think what would happen if every school had this kind of support,” Thomas said. “This school is the heart of this community.”

She said some church members actually work at the school, while some at one time attended R.L. Young, which was built in 1929.

“They look after the school,” Burel said.

He said the church offers special treats to students on the church property. The church offers ice cream, popcorn and drinks and even snow cones.

“It’s a treat for the kids when they get out of school,” Burel said.

The church also does something special for R.L. Young’s faculty about once a month, and the church also allows parents to park in the church parking lot when they are visiting the school.

“I usually go over there (to the school) once a week and ask if they need anything,” Burel said. “A lot of times churches want to reinvent the community. We just want to make our community better.”

Burel said 80 to 100 people attend Bemiston Baptist Church each Sunday morning. Sunday morning worship service starts at 11 a.m. Sunday evening worship service is at 6 p.m. The church also has youth services and adult programs every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Bemiston Baptist Church is located at 300 James St. in Talladega.