It wasn’t back-to-school weather, but dozens of children and their parents got the essentials they need for the second half of the school year.
The second annual Back 2 School supply drive winter edition was held Saturday at PlayDatez child development center in Hinesville.
“The reason we decided to do this is to give parents’ relief in the wintertime after Christmas because in the holidays, it’s hard to afford gifts and the material you need when you’re going back to school,” said Kamaria Boston, owner and operator of PlayDatez.
With help from other businesses and organizations, the back-to-school event had more than school supplies available for kids. There were also coats and uniforms. The United Way of Liberty County helped procure coats and school supplies, and Cultivated Pearls, along with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, had $1,500 worth of uniforms in all sizes available.
“They did an amazing job,” Boston said. “I’m just glad to have so many community partners. We’re just ecstatic.”
Boston said she sees the need for new coats for children and new uniforms and was glad to have so much community help in providing those essentials. There was also a $50 gift card giveaway through CORE, which also helped with benefits such as SNAP and TANF.
“I’m glad we’re able to give to the community because there is a need,” Boston said.
Boston, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, saw the need for coats and uniforms and was glad her sorority sisters partnered with Cultivated Pearls.
“It was a match made in Heaven, honestly,” she said. “The community needed it. We see kids coming into school without coats. And we want to give gifts to our children and this helps takes the load off their pockets.”
Last year’s inaugural event drew from 7001,000 people and Boston expected another good crowd Saturday.
“Everyone walks away with a smile on their face,” she said. “We love to give back. It’s a great way to say thank you. We’re just blessed and thankful we can do this and the other community partners are willing to help every single time.”