Ashland Worship Center Preparing for Bigger, Better Backpack Giveaway
ASHLAND — Ashland Worship Center is getting ready to help local families kick off the school year with backpacks, supplies, food, fun and a whole lot of community support.
The church will host its second annual Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, July 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ashland Worship Center, located at 1420 Cottage Street in Ashland. The event is free and open to the community.
Dan and Denise said excitement is already building, especially after last year’s event showed just how great the need is.
“Last year we had 75 backpacks that we gave away, plus some other miscellaneous school supplies,” Denise said. “We ran out in about 15 minutes. It was pretty disappointing.”
This year, the church set a much bigger goal. Organizers have already collected more than 200 backpacks and are continuing to gather school supplies to fill them.
“We’re over 200 backpacks right now and we still have time to go,” Dan said. “So why stop at 200? If we can get 225, 250, as many as we can get and put together, we will give them away.”
Every child who is present will receive a backpack filled with school supplies while supplies last. Organizers said children must be there in person to receive the items so they can make sure the supplies are going directly to students in need.
This year’s giveaway is also expanding beyond school-aged children. Dan said college students, preschoolers and students of all grades are welcome.
“Don’t be shy,” he said. “If you need help, if you need school supplies, just come on out.”
But the day will be much more than a backpack giveaway. Families can enjoy bounce houses, games, free pizza, drinks, ice cream and free haircuts for kids. Organizers said the goal is to create a fun, welcoming community event where families can relax, connect and get ready for the upcoming school year.
New this year, parents will also be included in the fun with raffle drawings. Denise said families will receive raffle tickets during registration for a chance to win donated prizes from the community.
“There’s everything from Butcher House gift cards to restaurants, oil changes, movie tickets, everything,” Denise said. “Last year the parents were left out. This year, we wanted to find a way to include them and involve them also.”
Community donations have already helped make the event possible, but organizers said more help is still welcome. Volunteers are needed to help with game stations and event activities, and donations of school supplies or monetary gifts can be dropped off at Ashland Worship Center.
Dan said the church’s hope is simple: help as many families as possible and avoid having to turn anyone away.
“The more we can get, we will hand them out,” he said. “Please bring them so we can touch more families in need.”
Organizers said everyone is welcome, even families who may not need supplies but simply want to come enjoy the food, games and fellowship.
“Come out, have fun and get ready for a great school year,” Denise said.
