CHESTER – Down to the last few days of summer vacation, parents are making preparations for their children going back to school Tuesday, Sept. 6. The community has offered several back-to-school events with free school supplies to help families that may be struggling to complete their extensive school supply lists. Second Baptist Church at 5100 W. Hundred Rd., opened their doors last Saturday for free school supplies and offered tips for being successful in school with support from community businesses and the police department.
The Rev. Brian Walker, youth minister along with Veronica Roberts, organized the “Support for Success” event. Their goal was not just to give out school supplies, but to offer them a guide to follow for school success.. After a lunch, each student had to visit three of the four stations offering tips before supplies were given out.
Children and teens received dental tips from Dr. Tonya Parris-Wilkins, owner of Southside Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. They also received hearing screenings from Dr. Shantell Lewis, of Virginia Professional Hearing Healthcare Center. Bike safety tips were offered by Corporal Tim Lamb of the Chesterfield County Police Department. Rusty Peaks, driving instructor for UPS, offered tips concerning the importance of being a pro active driver and not a re active driver. “Expect the unexpected,” he said.
Each of the 88 students attending received a book marker with eight steps for success.
“Your purpose is to do well in school,” Walker said. “Follow these steps for success and you will succeed.”
Roberts said when they were in the planning stages they wanted to find encouraging things they could do with the kids. “We have been doing this for several years,” she said to the children and their parents during the opening. “We do this because we like to give back. We are the loving church on the side of the road and we can help you be the best you can be. You are somebody, you are important.”
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chester Baptist Church, Amazing Grace World Fellowship, and The Lord’s Healing Church also held school supply events.
