Families lined up in the hot sun 30 minutes early on Tuesday at the fairgrounds to ensure their students received school supplies from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
This year, approximately 600 Habersham County School System students received supplies donated to sheriff’s office school resource officers by county residents.
“We were overwhelmed by the response we received from the public,” said Crime Scene Tech/Evidence Manager Kayla Neal, who helped organize the event again this year. “The line extended almost to the roadway before even opening the gates for the event. It’s obvious to us that there is a need in our county for this event. We plan to continue this event next year and hopefully provide more supplies.”
Supplies lasted until about 6:45 p.m. before the supply of donated items was exhausted.
“Parents and students seemed to really appreciate the event,” Neal said. “Students were happy to be able to pick out their very own backpacks, notebooks, and supplies.”
In the past, students received a bag of supplies. This year they were able to choose their own backpack, then fill it with the materials needed for their particular school and classes.
The event also gave students an opportunity to meet their school resource officers.
“This gives students the opportunity to get to know their SRO before school starts, hopefully fostering a positive relationship with that SRO and opening a door for them to feel comfortable talking to their SRO at any point in the school year,” Neal told Now Habersham ahead of Tuesday’s event.
Donations still being accepted
Anyone who wanted to donate school supplies but did not have a chance to before the event can drop them off to the school resource officer at their child’s school or to the office at their neighborhood school.
“Our SROs would be happy to help out any time during the school year,” Neal said.
Community partners also helped make Tuesday’s event a success.
“We’d like to specifically thank the Family Resource Center, FAITH’s Powerhouse for Kids, North Georgia Technical College, and Ruby Elite Pageantry for their support during this event,” Neal said. “All were on-site during the event, providing additional supplies, resources, and a helping hand to the families that attended.”
Habersham County public school students will return to the classroom on Friday, August 4.
