This summer has already seen a host of back to school supply giveaways in the Statesboro community. Check out a couple of recent events that provided children in our community with the tools they'll need to be successful this school year!
Back to School Bash at the Boys and Girls Club
In an effort to make sure the kids of Bulloch County have what they need for when school rolls around the corner, the community came together to provide supplies for families all over. Over 500 bookbags full of supplies were given out to the kids of Bulloch County at the Boys & Girls Club on July 13, 2024.
The Bulloch County Schools Book Bus and the Statesboro Regional Library Book Mobile were able to give out over 400 books to kids as well to help increase the literacy rate of students.
"My favorite part of the event is getting to interact with the students and parents as they come through. As a classroom teacher for over 20 years, I love it when I have an opportunity to connect with students and parents outside of the classroom. My second favorite part of the event is working with other organizations to make a difference in our community." said Vernetta Staten, an organizer of the event.
There were over 20 organizations to partnered with the Boys and Girls Club this year to make this event possible: Atekha Nephrology Clinic LLC, Beta Gamma Gamma Foundation; Beta Gamma Gamma & Xi Mu Nu Chapters of Omega Psi Phi; Black Women of Profession; Bulloch County Magistrate Court Office Staff; Bulloch County NAACP; Bulloch County Schools Social Workers; Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department; Cape Jessamine #86 OES; Chi Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha; EPenny Travel, LLC, Johnson Grove Missionary Baptist Church; Lambda Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho; Original First African Baptist Church; Our Girls Rock Too!; Pi Rho and Tau Beta Sigma Chapters of Phi Beta Sigma; Restoring the Breach; Rumble Esports, Second St. John Baptist Church, Statesboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Statesboro Uplift; Truthful Lodge #375; Zeta Chi Chapter of Iota Phi.
Each group pledges to provide 500 pieces of an item needed to fill the bookbags. They also receive monetary donations from any organization or individual that would like to lend a hand. The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department also volunteers every year by cooking hot dogs.
The sack lunches were provided by the Bulloch County Magistrate Court Office Staff, Johnson Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Our Girls Rock Too!, Rumble Esports, Statesboro Uplift, and Zeta Chi Chapter of Iota Phi Theta.
"This event's goal is to get the kids ready and excited about the upcoming school year while providing some relief of the financial responsibility for the parents -- and showing that change can be made by a community that works together," said Jon Aaron, an organizer of the event.
Vernetta Staten outlined the importance of this event in the community. The supply giveaway:
- Helps students in need and reduces financial burden: Many families struggle to afford school supplies, and a giveaway can provide essential items like notebooks, pencils, and backpacks to students who may not otherwise have access to them. It also helps to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed in school.
- Promotes education: By providing students with the tools they need to succeed in school, a giveaway can help promote education and improve academic outcomes in the community.
- Builds community spirit: A giveaway can bring together students, families, and community members in a positive and supportive environment, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation.
- Encourages volunteerism: Organizing a giveaway can also encourage community members to volunteer their time and resources to support local students, fostering a sense of civic engagement and social responsibility.
Back to School Drive at Gateway Industrial Park
That same Saturday, there was also a supply giveaway out at Gateway Industrial Park. Being that last year's event went so well, Great Dane decided to host another backpack giveaway this year. They were able to give out 200 bookbags in under an hour last year, so they were seeing what kind of impact they could make by bringing in other businesses this year.
This year, they were able to give out nearly 500 bookbags full of supplies. The leftover bags will go to the kids of the employees at the businesses in the industrial park.
The businesses that made this possible were Fastenal, Briggs & Stratton, Cardinal Glass LG, Thermo King, GAF Roofing, and Great Dane.
Each company donated school supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, folders, binders, water bottles, hand sanitizer, and more.
There were free snow cones being given out by Boro Sno, and those were much appreciated when it came to the heat. Also, the Bulloch Sheriff and Fire departments were out showing off some of the fire trucks.
“When speaking to the parents, they are super grateful for the additional help provided. The world and raising children is expensive these days, and the parents are super thankful for any and all help provided. Our employee base is made up of mostly Bulloch County and we are thankful we get to give back to the community where our employees live and work,” said Allee Colsen, Operations Manager at Great Dane.
“This was a volunteer event and none of our employees were paid to help - they all came to help on their own time! It’s great coming together for a good cause, and then seeing the happiness of the kids who are benefiting from it makes it all worth it! It was also great to have the support of the community and the Sheriffs and fire departments,” said Colsen.
Thank you to these local organizations for working together to ease the burden on parents and get our kids ready to go back to school!
