Each school year some of Decatur County's children begin the year without the school supplies that they need to get off to a successful school year. Most of the areas teachers pick up where parents either don't have the means or concern to furnish the supplies need for their child. This year teachers will spend a little less thanks to the collaborative effort of several Family Connection Collaborative Partners.

Dan Provence gives School Social Worker, Allison Harrell check for supplies collected at Kiwanis. Celeste Burke, on right, is chair of the Kiwanis Backpack committee. Other supplies were also donated by Kiwanis members.

In mid July, the Bainbridge Wal-Mart held a Back to School Drive and Fair. Several vendors as well as local agencies including Family Connection were at the store to share information and also collect donated supplies that were to be distributed to students needing them. Roy Oliver, Bainbridge Wal-Mart Store Manager stated, "We are always ready to help the community whenever we can."

Pam Lunsford Elcan-King Principal and Wal-Mart Store Manager Roy Oliver

The Bainbridge Kiwanis Club, who annually collects backpacks and supplies, combined their efforts this year with those of Family Connections. Through their donations and the donations of the community during the Wal-Mart drive, over 75 backpacks of supplies are being distributed to county school children who have been referred by their teachers. School Social Worker, Allison Harrell is handling the distribution.

Helping distribute the backpacks and supplies at Elcan-King, Principal Pam Lunsford stated, "This is wonderful. It not only helps the teachers spend less of their own money but it helps the children also."


Plans are already underway to make next year's Back To School Drive and Fair a large community event.