August 6, 2008

Students Get Free Book Bags at Kids 4 Christ
238 Students Get Free Bags and School Supplies at Back 2 School Blast;
Annual Community Carnival Sponsored By Local Churches & Businesses

Even in a tightening economy where many families are struggling to pay their bills, local children have been able to return to school with the book bags and supplies they need to be successful students.

Thanks to sponsorship and donations from dozens of local businesses and churches, Kids 4 Christ was able to give away nearly 240 book bags during its sixth-annual Back 2 School Blast. Local restaurants provided food for the 368 parents and children who attended the July 26th event. Most of Blast attendees were from LaFayette but some families traveled from as far away as Ringgold, Summerville, and Lyerly to get free school supplies for their children.

During the first Back 2 School Blast in 2003 several hundred sandwich bags with pencils and supplies were given away. In subsequent years the event was expanded to also offer book bags and provide food for attending families. Last year K4C gave away bags to 200 kids but ran out of material before the Blast finished. This year, thanks to generous community support, every child who attended the event left with a book bag, pencils, paper, glue, and scissors. Most children were also able to win additional supplies and prizes by playing games during the carnival, and everyone who attended or volunteered during the event was given lunch.

This year's Back 2 School Blast was made possible by generous support from Sonic, Edward Jones Investments, Bank of LaFayette, Cohutta Bank, Wendy's, and McDonalds, along with other local businesses, churches, and individuals who donated or volunteered their time.

According to K4C Executive Director Gail Marks, many children struggle in school because they don't have the tools they need to be successful. "Schoolwork is tough enough when you do have everything you need, when you have all the supplies you're required to bring" Marks said. "That's made worse when you don't have many supplies and the ones you do have are being carried in a plastic bag instead of a nice backpack. Kids who don't feel ready, who don't feel like they can be successful, start school on day one already behind their peers."

Marks added that the annual school supply giveaway is only one part of what Kids 4 Christ does to help local students. "We also have an after school program, a place where kids can come to get help with their homework and receive one-on-one attention for a time each day when many students are at home unsupervised watching TV or getting into trouble. The extra help we provide often makes the difference between a student who struggles and a student who succeeds - not just in school but in life."

Kids 4 Christ is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving disadvantaged children in the LaFayette area. K4C offers weekly Bible classes, a daily after-school academic program, and mentoring activities. For more about K4C call (706) 639 3234 or see the organization Web site at www.k4c.info.

Crowds line up outside Kids 4 Christ before Back 2 School Blast.	Volunteer Kaylyn Wade helps hand out free book bags.