FARMINGTON -- The Farmington Back to School Bonanza gave out tennis shoes and backpacks to almost 700 kids last year and expects to hand out about the same this year.
The ninth annual bonanza will be held 4:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, at Farmington United Methodist Church, 355 Southwinds Dr.
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome to come to receive free athletic shoes, backpacks, haircuts, underwear, dental and vision screenings, kindergarten physicals and goody bags containing numerous health and hygiene products. The event is open to any children, regardless of income, address or school district. The child must be present to receive the free items.
Mary Jane Silva, coordinator, said the church received a $1,000 mini-grant this year from Blue and You Foundation through Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield and this helped with purchasing some items. The objective of the grant, Silva said, is to help with health related issues. She said the kindergarten physicals, dental/vision screenings and tennis shoes for physical education fill that need.
She received the foundation grant in January.
"One thousand dollars was a kick-start that was nice," Silva said.
Also, a church member donated a $3,500 matching grant and the church matched and exceeded that amount.
"That's been a big blessing," Silva said.
Last year, 680 children from 21 different districts received tennis shoes and backpacks. The bonanza has grown almost every year. In 2010, the church served 270 children. This jumped to 494 children in 2011 and then to the current record of almost 700 last year.
Silva expressed her thanks to community support each year. Dr. Myers of Fayetteville provides the vision screening. Dentists Dr. Long and Dr. Schultz, both of Farmington, provide free dental screenings. Students from Career Academy of Hair Design in Fayetteville give free haircuts.
Other volunteer help comes from the Farmington High dance team, Boy Scout Troop 555 and Farmington school counselors. Many church members also help with the bonanza each year.
For more information, call the church at 479-267-3180.
General News on 07/23/2014