How to prepare for back to school with these tips
Make back-to-school less chaotic with these organizational tips.
Problem solved, USA TODAY
With back to school just around the corner, community leaders, groups, organizations and businesses are scrambling to help send kids off with the tools they need to learn. They are having a lot of fun too. At many of these events, students must be present to receive the materials.
Saturday
Back to school
What: Free school supplies, free haircuts, free food, music, face painting, bounce house and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Where: Vaughn Road Park, 3620 Vaughn Road, Montgomery
Sponsor: Powell & Scott Alabama Special Education Attorneys
Alabama State SGA Supplies Giveaway
What: A bag of books and a gift of school supplies
WHO: Anyone with children in grades K-12 is eligible to participate. Students must be present to receive the material.
When: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while supplies last
Where: in the Hornet Stadium parking lot, 915 University Drive N.
Sponsor: Alabama State University Student Government Association, Miss ASU and court, in partnership with Universal Connection.
July 29
Back 2 School Jam
What: Backpack giveaways, music, children’s area, fun and food
When: 5-9 p.m
Where: Pratt Park Amphitheater, 460 Doster Road, Prattville
Sponsor: A community outreach center, featuring 97.9 Jamz and the Men’s Ministry of the First Missionary Baptist Church
Back to School Backpack Raffle
WHO: Operation Homefront
What: Activities, school supplies and more for military families.
When: 10 am to noon
Where: Maxwell-Gunter Youth Centers at Maxwell Air Force Base
Eligibility: This event is for DEERS to enroll only military dependent children who will be in Kindergarten through 12th grade during the 2022-23 school year. Post-9/11 service member wounded, ill, or injured of any rank, both active duty and those no longer serving in the military; or all ranks on active duty; or activated Guard or Reserve personnel of all ranks currently serving in extended Title 10 status.
Month: You must register before July 27 a operationhomefront.org/event/btsb-maxwell-afb-al/
July 30
Lowndes County Public School Annual Back to School Rally
What: Prizes, prizes, games, free food and school supplies.
When: 9-11 a.m
Where: Russel field
Back 2 School Summer Blast
What: Backpack and school supplies giveaway while supplies last, with DJ, games, face painting, bouncy houses and potato sack races, plus fellowship and food.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Where: Maggie Street Missionary Baptist Church, 642 Maggie St., Montgomery
Month: maggiestreetchurch.org
Big Back 2 School Uniform Raffle
What: Free school uniforms for kids: two tops and two bottoms, while supplies last.
When: Time to be determined
Where: Empire Parking Lot, 2239 E South Blvd., Montgomery
Sponsors: Presented by LivinLegend Lausanne and the OGs
August 1
Back 2 School Beauty Bash
What: There will be a motivational talk from “American Idol” finalist Lady K, Justice B and more, plus food and drinks, beauty therapy, hair services, school supplies and more. Three of the students there will win hair, makeup and more from salon owner Justice B. Other prizes will also be awarded.
When: 5-8 in the afternoon
Where: Justice B. Beauty Salon, 120 Mendel Parkway, Montgomery.
August 3
Fourth Annual Crystal Johnson Back to School Supply Giveaway
What: This is part of a series of gifts dedicated to children who have died from a terminal illness. Crystal Johnson died of complications from lupus.
When: From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m
Where: Eastdale Mall in Montgomery
Sponsors: Presented by the BlueHeart Foundation 334.
Month: Other dates/locations for related giveaways are:
July 30, 2nd Annual AvaLynn James School Supply Raffle 11-1:30pm at Wiregrass Common Mall (AvaLynn James died of cancer); Cupcake McKinney School Supply Drive Aug. 6, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Riverchase Galleria Mall in Hoover; and the Peyton Embry School Supply Drive on August 6, 3-5:30pm at the J. Craig Smith Community Center in Sylacauga.
August 5
School Explosion Gospel Youth Back 2
What: This is open to all K-12 students for free school supplies and backpacks.
When:From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m
Where: 810 E. South Blvd., Montgomery.
Month: Gospel artists, praise dancers and praise teams performing. There will be food trucks. Community resource vendors will be on site with essential information.
Sponsors: The event is organized by Street Life Community Development Corporation and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, with other sponsoring companies.
August 6
Seventh Annual Back to School Block Party
What: Free bags full of school supplies and personal hygiene.
When: From 10 am to noon
Where: Ja’Mel Brown Center, 1036 Mill St., Montgomery.
Month: There will be a DJ and bounce houses.
Raffle of back to school supplies
What: Activity for all ages with free school supplies
When: 10am-1pm
Where: Sheridan Heights Community Center, 3501 Faro St., Montgomery
Sponsor: Road to Recovery Extension Center
Back 2 School Draw
What: Free school supplies, live DJ, free haircuts for kids, free burgers
When: 2-6 in the afternoon
Where: Stonebridge Apartments in open country
Sponsors: Presented by LivinLegend Lausanne and the OGs
Back 2 School Drive
What: Free food, school supplies, music and fun.
When: 3 in the afternoon
Where: 2413 E. South Boulevard, Montgomery.
Month: Organized by CCOM (Car Clubs of Montgomery) and Queenz Carnival
Driving backpacks back to school
What: Gift of a backpack with material and goodies for primary and secondary school
When: 3-5 in the afternoon
Where: YuBar and Grill parking lot at Atlanta Crossing Mall, 185 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery
Month: Donations are accepted for the unit a fedmoms.org.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
