Communities In Schools of Georgia in Henry County gave away 776 backpacks filled with school supplies during the 8th Annual Parent Expo held recently at Heritage Park in McDonough. The backpacks were distributed to elementary, middle, and high school students from Henry County.
More than 50 local organizations sponsored the event including Platinum Sponsors: Georgia Military College, Bennett International Group, Rising Phoenix Enrichment Program, McIntosh Trail Community Service Board, and WellCare of Georgia. Southern Crescent Broadcasting was also present as the official media sponsor.
The Parent Expo opened with a presentation of colors by the Air Force Junior Reserve Office Training Corps, Georgia-20102 featuring Cadets Morgan N. Bixler, David K. Hill . Andrew R. Hillerson, Shaniya R. Joyner, Tennese C. Porte, Elijah W. Schindley, and Monay S. Smith. The national anthem was sung in a brave performance by Cadet Smith through a police car PA system after a technical difficulty with the original microphone.
The School Supply Giveaway Room in the Henry County Extension building was manned by educator April Brown from the Henry County School System and her volunteer group, employees from Carmax, and Cadets Brown, Bixler, Hill, Schindley, and Smith.
The heart of the event featured representatives from community organizations who gathered together under the pavilion at the Jason T. Harper Event Center in the park to provide resources for the families. They included: Henry County Schools, local government, nonprofit, tutoring, higher education, healthcare, and local businesses. Platinum and Gold sponsors received “mandatory stop status” and guests visited tables to get cards stamped in order to receive their school supplies. Many tables gave out their own additional school supplies, games, and giveaways, including Urban Air Adventure Park who gave out hundreds of free passes to students and Thriveworks Counseling and Coaching who raffled off free stylish, brand name backpacks. Kona Ice and Kid’s Bouncy Things donated services free for families, as well.
“With the amazing amount of support Communities In Schools received from Henry County organizations, it’s impossible to thank everyone enough, but the full list of supporters is available on our website from our webpage cishenry.org/events/parent-expo,” said event organizer Crystal McCarthy, Resource Development Coordinator, Communities In Schools of Georgia. “People were so enthusiastic they were signing up right until the night of the event, and Salesforce jumped on board the next day with a company gift match campaign that has raised $1,200 total so far thanks to their employees.”
Parents who were unable to attend, or who attended without their children present, are strongly encouraged to contact Communities In Schools of Georgia in Henry County to receive any school supplies they may need. Proof of Henry County residency is required and their message will be forwarded to the Communities In Schools Site Coordinators who can work with families to make sure they are ready for back to school. (Contact Crystal McCarthy, cmc carthy@cisgeorgia.org).
For those who would like to make a contribution to the Parent Expo fundraiser the fundraising site will be live until August 20th: https://give.classy.org/cishenry_backtoschool
