Back-to-School Rally Attracts Nearly 500 Students
Free school supplies, free hot dogs, and free entertainment were all offered Saturday, and some 479 students registered and took advantage of the opportunity during the Back-to-School Rally.
The rally ended at noon, and students and others were encouraged to go to the Clothes Closet at Monticello First United Methodist Church to be closer to completing their school readiness.
During the rally at Washington Park Elementary School, more than 20 vendors gave away school supplies and offered information on services offered by their group or agency.
Vendors included Jasper County Recreation Dept., Jasper County 4-H, Jasper County Mentor Program, Jasper County Sheriff’s CHAMPS, The Monticello Get Ahead House, Speak Now LLC, Forward Jasper/ Chamber of Commerce, Jasper Memorial Hospital, City of Monticello Natural Gas Dept., NEGA Agency of Aging, and Georgia Military College.
Also, Jasper County Clerk of Court, S.T.E.P. of Springfield Baptist Church, Girl Scout Troop # 60134, Jasper County Food Bank, Haven House, USDA Rural Development, Georgia Dept. of Labor, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, Jasper County Public Library, Jasper County School System, CHIPS, American Legion Post #110, U.S. Forestry, Jasper County Care Corps, and Jasper County EMS.
In addition to the free school supplies, three students also won prizes Tonya Fields and Jaylon Barnes won bags from Ga. Military College, and Jessica Arredondo won a tablet from Family Connection who was overall sponsor and coordinator for the day’s events.
One highlight of the morning was free snow cones for all who wanted them, and as the morning heated up they were much appreciated.
In addition, the Masonic Lodges were doing child identification kits so that if a child ever goes missing his or her parents have what they need to identify their child when a missing child is found.
New student registration was also available Saturday, and many students met their school principals as they prepared to start the new school year on Friday, Aug. 8. A list of all bus routes is on pages 12-15, and school supply needs are listed on page 11 of the August 31 print edition.
