Backpacks For Kids

As the 2015-2016 school year is well underway, members of Men United reflected on their recent Back-to-School Roundup and began to evaluate and make plans for next year’s event.

On Friday, Aug. 14, at the Arkadelphia Senior Adult Center, the group hosted their second Annual Back-to-School Roundup. The purpose of the event is to serve those low-income or needy families, and furnish school supplies and other community resources. Men United’s philosophy behind this is to make sure that each child can start school, with all their supplies, and be able to focus on their education.

Through a partnership with the Central Arkansas Development Council, Chicken Express, Arkadelphia Junior Auxiliary and several other non-profit and religious organizations, the group was able to provide school supplies, backpacks, refreshments, door prizes and a variety of information for all of those in attendance. Booth sponsors this year included: Ashley Muldrew, Admissions Coordinator for Arkansas School for Math, Science and Arts; Henry Wilson, president of the NAACP; Arkadelphia Junior Auxiliary; John Miller , county administrator of Clark County Health Department; CADC’s Family Development Specialist, Head Start Center Assistant, and Community Development Specialist; Justin Huett, Clinic Director for Ascent Children’s Health Services; and Emily Lyons, Community Health Promotion Specialist of AR Department of Health and Dawson Education Co-op. Brochures, pamphlets, coloring books and other information were also available and provided by Region 8 Prevention Resource Center.

Once the doors were opened, people filed into the building to complete registration, visit with vendors, eat and be seated. Fresh pizza, chips, cookies, sweet tea, juice and water were offered to those who attended. The Rev. Llewellyn Terry of Mt. Olive Baptist Church issued the prayer over students, the school district and the community as a whole. Donnie Whitten and his staff of the Arkadelphia Public School District present, helping with registration and mingling with students and their parents. Whitten gave a motivational speech with emphasis on education and the upcoming school year. Doug Nelson, president of Men United, also spoke to the group on responsibility, education and togetherness of the Arkadelphia community. Ashlee Dixon, Community Development Specialist for CADC expressed gratitude to all participants, vendors, etc.

“This event could not be a success, without people working together” she stated.

Several door prizes were presented during the event.

Several Greek Organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, and other volunteers helped sack the supplies for each age division.

Thanks to the Junior Auxiliary and other area partners, almost every child left the event with a backpack this year.

Members of Men United said they appreciate the Arkadelphia community, businesses and other participating organizations that help them make a difference each year.

For more information on the event or to participate in next year’s event, contact Dixon at 403-0679 or adixon@cadc.com.

*This article appeared in the Arkadelphia Daily Siftings Herald and has been edited. The article was written by Junior Auxiliary member Ashlee Dixon.

Click here to see our behind-the-scenes Backpacks For Kids photo album!

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