The 16th annual Back2School Bash was held in Wagener on Saturday. The weather was cooler than usual and the crowd smaller.
Churches Together for Kids, or CTFK, holds the event each year to provide children with school supplies, haircuts and a health screening. Churches, businesses and community members join forces to finance and volunteer at the event. This year's Back2School Bash reached an estimated 400 to 600 students.
Under the leadership of founder Cindy Blizzard and its board of directors, CTFK's Back2School Bash is designed not only to meet physical needs, but also to demonstrate the love of God. The CTFK Board of Directors is comprised of Gloria Collum, Jackie Busbee and Ronnie West.
"It continues to amaze me how the churches, businesses and community come together," Blizzard said. "We have a very faithful community. We've been doing this for 16 years, and they still come out to help."
Busbee Truck Parts provided trucks, drivers and men to move tables, chairs and supplies. The CTFK corporate sponsors who donated to the event and include: Aiken Electric Cooperative, Blizzard Funeral Home, Chandler Law Firm, Edisto Dental Associates, Joey Black of B&B Ford, Piggly Wiggly, Pelion, Perry Eldercare, Security Federal Bank, Tyler Brothers, Wagener Drug Company, Wagener Milling Company and Warner Grading Company.
CTFK also received many individual donations that prefer to remain anonymous.
Retired Wagener teachers Glenda Furtick and Heidi Chavious volunteered at one table.
"We're not here for the pay, we're here for the hugs from our former students," Chavious said as Willie Chandler walked up and gave her a great big hug.
Issie Fielding and Rocky Williams handed out the bottled water on behalf of Chandler Law Firm while Jackie Busbee, representing Busbee Law Firm, worked at the registration table.
Millbrook Baptist Church brought a bus full of volunteers from Aiken, as they do each year. Millbrook sponsored three tables, providing paper, pens and glue sticks for the students.
CTFK is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 and is funded through churches, individuals and businesses. The late JB LeGrand was on the board of directors until his recent death.
The following churches sponsored the event, but did not have a booth: Bethcar Baptist Youth Group, Perry First Assembly, Rocky Grove Baptist and Tabernacle Baptist. The Wagener Women's Club also sponsored the event.
The following organizations had a booth and provided supplies for students: Berlin Baptist Church, markers; Chandler Law Firm, bottled water; Clinton United Methodist Church, folders; Dean Swamp Baptist Church, erasers; First Baptist Church, rulers; Harvest of Love Ministries, notebooks; Millbrook Baptist Church, paper, glue sticks and pens; Perry Baptist Church, crayons, Frisbees and wristbands; Rocky Springs Baptist Church, notebooks; and Salley Baptist Church, pencils.