Back-to-school block party good family fun


Registration Table
Participants line up to register for the event

A back-to-school block party sponsored by Henderson’s First Baptist Church, Greater Little Zion United Holy Church, and Shiloh Baptist Church gave away over 1,000 school backpacks loaded with school supplies yesterday.

The block party took place on the grounds of Shiloh Baptish Church on College Street in Henderson.

Peace and Anderson
Brenda Peace and Tamela Anderson

Tamela Anderson of Shiloh Baptist Church, one of the event’s organizers, said that the goal of event was to do a joint mission with the other churches and to help students at Pinkston Street, Clark Street, and L.B. Yancey Elementary Schools by praying and providing supplies.

75 to 100 volunteers assisted with drinks, food, games, registration, and the distribution of school supplies.

“We hope that people will get something out of this,” Anderson said.

The line for the backpacks, one of the main features of the block party, moved quickly, thanks to the efforts of many red-shirted volunteers.

Backpacks
Volunteers hand out backpacks

Sandra Wiggins, one of the volunteers distributing the backpacks, said that they were stuffed with paper, rulers, markers, crayons, dictionaries, and “lots of donations from Corporate Express”.

Other participating organizations were: Vance-Granville Community College, the Vance County Board of Elections, the Vance County Health Department, the United States Marine Corps, the American Red Cross, Partnership Playground, and the Henderson Fire Department was present with a fire truck on display.

Red Cross

HFD

John Hargrove, who was recently named principal of Clark Street Elementary School, said a few words of thanks to those attending the event.

Bounce House

Slide

Activities included games, a bounce house and inflatable slide, crafts and game tables, and sidewalk drawing.

Hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, and cotton candy were served.

Grill

Soda Truck

The schedule of events may be seen here.