By Brianna Bailey
Transcript Staff Writer
Members of Alameda Church of Christ are gearing up to give away 500 backpacks filled with school supplies at the Back to School Roundup and Information Fair 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11 at 801 E. Alameda St.
“Sending children back to school can be expensive and we want to help families in any way we can,” said John Helton, Alameda Church of Christ deacon and event organizer.
The event has grown over its three years of existence, expanding from a give away of 300 backpacks to a complete back-to-school fair, offering face painting, a magic show, door prizes and cotton candy, said Alameda Church of Christ Pastor Rusty Tugman. About 800-1,000 people attended last year’s fair.
“Response has been tremendous,” Tugman said. “It really is a way to meet the needs of families beyond the obvious.”
Attendees can even get a free back-to-school hair cut at this year’s fair.
“We have quite a few members who are beauticians or barbers and they said they wanted to help out last year, so they volunteer their talent and their time,” Tugman said.
The church knitting club is pitching in to knit carves, gloves and hats for children going back to school.
“The kids love it because they can go and pick out their own hats and gloves in their favorite colors,” Tugman said.
The event also will feature information booths for community agencies ranging from the Norman Fire Department to the Bicycle League of Norman, a magic show and door prizes.
“We wanted to invite different social service organizations so parents realize they don’t have to do it all on their own,” Helton said.
The Norman Police Department will be on hand at the event to fingerprint and photograph children, and organizations like the Center for Children and Families an the Cleveland County Family YMCA will give out information on what services they proved.
The program, organized by the church’s outreach ministry, is open to all area families regardless of income.
“One of the things we don’t do is check, because many families may not meet the requirements for other programs but need help sending children back to school,” Helton said.
The best part of the Back-to-School Roundup for Tugman is meeting the families who come through the door, he said.
“I have the best job, because I get to walk around and talk to people and get to know them,” Tugman said. “It’s a great opportunity for our church to let people know about us.”
Brianna Bailey366-3527bbailey@normantranscript.com
