Transcript Staff Writer

When John Helton came up with the idea of a back to school roundup for Alameda Church of Christ two years ago, he never envisioned an event of this magnitude.

"I came across different counties and churches doing this same thing," said Helton, a church deacon project director.

The Back to School Roundup and Information Fair will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 at Alameda Church of Christ, 801 E. Alameda St.

The Back to School Roundup and Information Fair is a place where kids can get supplies they need for the upcoming school year and have a good time with their family at the same time.

Helton said he and his seven person committee were amazed when almost 200 families and 800 to 1,000 people showed up at the event last year. Helton did not plan for the large number of people to attend.

"What amazed us was that was that the families brought friends, other families and grandparents," Helton said.

"Last year it took us over two hours just to register everyone that came; we had only four people in charge of registration. This year we will have more people helping with registration," Helton said.

Helton said not every child who attended the fair last year received a backpack. There will be 500 backpacks available this year as opposed to the 320 backpacks last year,

Each backpack includes pencils, pens, crayons, supply boxes, scissors and tissues. The students must be present to receive free school supplies and backpacks.

In addition to free school supplies, licensed beauticians will be available to give free haircuts.

The event is not income-based and is available to anyone who wishes to attend.

Moon bounces, face painting, carnival games, door prizes and cotton candy will be available to kids.

Organizations such as 4-H Youth Development Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy Scout Troop 777, Center for Children and Families, Norman Fire Department, Norman Regional Hospital, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and Mothers of Preschoolers will have informational booths set up for parents.

The Norman Police Department will take photos and fingerprint kids for Child Identification Cards.

Lunch will be provided by the church.

For more information, call Helton 321-0788 or e-mail BackToSchool Roundup@cox.net.