VALDOSTA —
Hundreds flocked to McKey Park on Saturday to receive free school supplies at the Fifth Annual Kids Are People Too Fair hosted by the South Georgia Partnership to End Homelessness (SGPEH).
“We’re giving away bookbags that are stuffed with school supplies,” said Dr. Ronnie Mathis, executive director of SGPEH.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m., and by 11 a.m. 175 of 200 bookbags had been given away to homeless and underprivileged children.
“We’ve given away 175 and there’s still 100 or so left in line,” said Mathis. “Our goal next year is to double this amount.”
According to Kelley Strozier, the lead case manager for SGPEH, a lot more people showed up than they had initially anticipated.
“This is a whole lot more than expected,” said Strozier.
The attendance doubled from last year from 150 to around 300.
Walmart off of Norman Drive was also at the fair handing out bags of school supplies.
“We’re giving out notebooks, crayons, rulers, pencils and glue sticks,” said Cheryl Norman, who works claims at Walmart.
Jackie Burgman, the training coordinator at Walmart, was responsible for organizing Walmart’s support.
“We feel it’s important to give back to the community that supports us,” said Burgman.
Several parents were grateful for the event because without it, they wouldn’t be able to afford to buy school supplies for all of their children.
“I came out to get the supplies for my children,” said Lois Stewart. “I have triplets that are 13.”
Deidrin Burney also had three children she needed to get school supplies for.
“I’m a single parent,” said Burney. “This is very helpful.”
Telemon Corporation, a federal program that works off federal grants and provides job support, was handing out children’s books and informing parents about their program; the Valdosta Fire Department was also providing educational resources.
“We’re working with the homeless coalition and teaching the kids about fire safety,” said Chris Feuerstein who was providing mini class sessions in the VFD’s Mobile Fire Safety House.
This year, the SGPEH teamed up with KEMET Universal’s Project Hope for Life and ECHAD to be able to provide more school supplies and support for poverty-stricken and disadvantaged children.
The Sons of Solomon, Lodge 151, Elected Chapter 323, was handing out free hamburgers and hot dogs to those at the fair. The SGPEH also made sure that there were plenty of games and activities for young children who were with their parents waiting in long lines to receive supplies.
While the turnout was excellent, it was an incredible statement of how many homeless and underprivileged children we have in both the county and the city school system and there is still a great need for more assistance.
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