The Fenton Center of Hope provided free school supplies to nearly 560 children at its annual back-to-school blast on Sunday, August 7.
The organization set up multiple booths at AGS Middle School to hand out new backpacks, new shoes and socks, clothing, notebooks and other stationery and more ahead of the upcoming 2022/2023 school year. Kids also had the option of getting a free haircut at the gym. Free food was also available.
“The purpose of the event is to show the love of Christ to people who are hurting and in need and to show a little more hope,” said Jennifer Strygulec, co-director of the Fenton Center of Hope. “It’s a day where families come and feel honored and blessed.”
This is the second year of the event. Strygulec said some families arrived and lined up two hours before the event officially began.
Flint resident Amanda Craig collected supplies for her six children. She has been involved with the FCOH for about five years and said this event is a big help for her family.
“It’s helpful because it’s so hard to find clothes for everyone in one place, especially when their ages range from teen to baby. They’re always so helpful for this project and for the Christmas project. You always have a clean and nice atmosphere. We know the people very well,” he said. “They are amazing volunteers.”
More than 100 volunteers have worked on the event.
“They came from everywhere,” Strygulec said. “They were groups of people who came from different churches and companies that we didn’t know would come. It was incredible. This is the whole concept of Love our city. It was so exciting.”
Love Our City events promote collaboration between churches, businesses and organizations.
The First Baptist Church of Fenton and Center of Hope ran the shoe booth, the New Life Christian Fellowship of Grand Blanc organized the backpack booth, and The Rock Church organized the children’s area. Roadside Community Church ran the clothing drive, and hairdressers from the Genesee Career Institute and Salon 416 provided free haircuts for the children.
Les Hathon made balloon animals and swords for children. A Joyful Noise and The Road Church provided live music. Galaxy Inflatable brought bounce houses and created a children’s area, which was run by volunteers from The Rock Church.
FCOH raises funds for the Back to School Blast throughout the year. They also received a grant that helped them buy school supplies. Strygulec said they got a “great deal” on Nike tennis shoes.
“We strive for the best. We don’t want people to feel like because they’re needy, it’s second best,” he said. They donated the leftover stationary school supplies to Fenton schools counselors.
The clothes were bought at Goodwill. Strygulec said the quality was better than last year. They had to rent a U-haul truck to move all the supplies.
Strygulec said she was “amazed” by the young adults who volunteered.
“It’s just this new flood of young adults who really care about their community and have a heart to serve,” he said. “It was a good day.”
Many families stopped and said thank you before leaving, and Strygulec heard many positive comments from parents and children.
“It’s about loving people and letting them feel honored and giving them a day where they don’t have to worry about anything,” he said, adding that working with other organizations is “so much fun. We just want have a fun and festive day.”
Organizations involved:
Fenton Center of Hope, First Baptist of Fenton, The Rock Youth Ministry, New Life Christian Fellowship, The Road Community Church, The Way Church, Wentworth Real Estate Group, Blue CareNetwork, Community Threads, Advanced Care Chiropractic, Lake Fenton United Methodist Church, Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Medstar Ambulance Company, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Galaxy Inflatables
