CONYERS - Though it may still feel like the dog days of summer, the first day of school is just around the corner, and local businesses and nonprofits are collecting school supplies to give to students and families in need. Here are a few of the upcoming givewaways.
Gregory B. Levett & Sons Back-To-School Fair
The Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home hosts a back to school fair where school supplies will be given free of charge to hundreds of students in need on Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home Rockdale Chapel, 1999 Ga. Highway 138, Conyers.
This is the first community appreciation event the funeral home is hosting since moving into Rockdale County a year ago. Gregory Levett, owner of Gregory B. Levett and Sons, says this type of giveaway is something the company does in DeKalb County and now is the perfect time to start in Rockdale since it coincides with their first year anniversary.
"It's a way of giving back to the community that we serve," he said.
Levett says at least 250 book bags will be available along with several school supplies. Also, there will be free health and dental screenings for the community performed by Helping Hands and Mini Smiles Pediatric Dentistry from 4 to 6 p.m.
While being beneficial to the kids of Rockdale County, Rockdale Chapel manager Melvin Melton Jr. says the event will also be a way for adults to socialize and get to know others in their community.
"We want them to have food, fun and fellowship," said Melton. "This way the community can get to know each other and build different relationships."
The event will feature games, live music and prize giveaways.
"We're just trying to make it fun," said Levett. "This is where I was born and raised, so I just want to entertain them."
Day of Connections
Rockdale Coalition for Children and Family Services is asking for the public's help gathering enough school supplies for students in need for the annual Day of Connections on Saturday, July 18.
"Through the generosity of wonderful people and organizations in our community, we're looking forward to serving lots of families with school supplies and other valuable resources," said Executive Director Michael Hutcheson.
The nonprofit still needs the following items: College-ruled paper, Wide-ruled paper, Packs of Markers, Multi-subject notebooks, One-subject notebooks, Notebook dividers
Supplies can be brought to Rockdale Career Academy on Friday, July 17, between 2 - 4 p.m. where volunteers will be sorting and setting up at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive. If you would like to make a monetary donation for school supplies, go to www.rockdalecoalition.org
Bags full of school supplies will be distributed to more than 700 students in need on Saturday, July 18, 8 a.m.- 11 a.m. at RCA. In addition, screening services and other service referrals will be offered.
For more information on the Day of Connections, call 770-761-9244 or email Rockdale Coaltion Director Michael Hutcheson at michael.hutcheson@rockdalecoaltion.org
Project ReNeWal
The area's only domestic violence shelter for women and families is asking for the community's help to provide school supplies to students staying at the shelter. Project ReNeWal serves Rockdale, Newton and Walton counties and has students attending their home schools in those counties.
Both monetary and school supply donations are needed. The nonprofit is particularly in need of three-ring binders (1"-2"), bookbags, highlighters, blunt-tipped scissors, and correction tape (whiteout tape).
For more information, email Laquisha Thomas at childadvocate_projectrenewal@yahoo.com or call 770-761-9333
WCJ Outreach Ministries
WCJ Outreach Ministries holds a Back 2 School Rally on Saturday, July 18, starting at noon, at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, 1659 Centennial Olympic Parkway, at the Georgia International Horse Park. There will be free school supplies distributed, along with free food, games, music, prizes and presentations.
For more information or to donate, call 770-875-5377
Mobile Food Pantry
The Resource Center for Community Action will host a food giveaway on Thursday, July 23, starting at noon, at 1400 Parker Rd, Conyers. Food will be distributed until all food is gone. Open for all.
For more information, call 770-760-1346.
Springfield Baptist Church
Springfield Baptist church will host a "Back 2 School Supply Giveaway" on Saturday, July 25. Registration runs 8:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. for K-12 students. Students will be registered and supplies distributed until supplies are exhausted.
Springfield Baptist Church will also host a Community Food Distribution on September 15-16. Registration and pickup will be Tuesday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Nehemiah Empowerment Group
Nehemiah Empowerment Group Ministries, Inc. is hosting their 2015 Back to School Bash on Saturday, July 25, noon - 5 p.m., at 1012 South Main St., Conyers. The ministry will give free school supplies, food and there will be games, fun and prizes. For more information, anthonysmith105@gmail.com
Newton County Sheriff's Office
The NCSO is partnering with The Salvation Army, A.K.A. Sorority Inc, Baxter International and The Covington News for its annual supply giveaway, with distribution on Sunday, July 26, noon-5 p.m. at 2171 Elm Street, Covington.
Throughout the last two years, the Annual Back to School Supply Drive Giveaway has resulted in the distribution of more than 3,000 book bags filled with school supplies for students in Newotn County. This year, the goal is to provide for 4,000 students, and donations are needed.
All contributors will be recognized in The Covington News after the event.
Please make checks payable to Deputies Who Care, Newotn County Sheriff's Office, 151 Alcovy Road, NE, Covington, Georgia 30014.
For more information contact Apryle Jones at 678-625-1425 or ajones@newtonsheriffga.org, Deputy Susan Young at 678-218-2423 or smyoung@newtonsheriffga.org or Deputy Kimberly Cox at 678-300-3544 or kcox@newtonsheriffga.org.
TCC Verizon Wireless Retailer School Rocks Backpack Giveaway
On Saturday, Aug. 1, noon-2 p.m., the TCC Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in Conyers, 1830 Ga. Hwy 20 South, will donate 200 backpacks as part of a nationwide backpack giveaway by 400 participating TCC stores.
Local families will need to bring their children to the store between noon and 2 p.m. on Aug. 1 to pick up a backpack filled with pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders, glue and other school supplies. One backpack per child present will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. All leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools.
TCC, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the U.S., will be donating 100,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children through its annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. Since 2013, the company has donated 260,000 backpacks filled with supplies to ensure children are well-prepared for the start of the school year.
Macedonia Baptist Family and Friends Day in the Park
Macedonia Baptist Church celebrates the annual Family and Friends Day in the Park on Sunday, Aug. 2, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., at Earl O'Neal Park, 2709 Old Covington Road, Conyers. There will be fun, fellowship and school supply givewaways. The community is invited. For more, contact 770-285-6045.
Youth Empowerment Society
The Youth Empowerment Society will host its Back to School Bash at Legion Field in Covington Saturday, Aug. 15 from noon-4 p.m.
School supplies, food and other items will be available free. Inflatables, games, speakers a talent show and dance party will provide entertainment.
Contact Shalonda Stroman at 914-575-8313 or Cassandra Jenkins at 770-557-2680 about setting up a booth and distributing school supplies.
