July 30: Twenty volunteers were at the Labor Temple Center Friday morning filling more than orange bags with all kinds of school supplies (notebooks, folders, writing utensils and other items) to be distributed at the Hamilton Center’s “We Live” . School party Saturday at Rose Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
“We just want to make sure the kids in our community have the things they need to be ready for the new school year,” said Hamilton Center Communications Director Chelsea Wells, who helped pack the items.
Saturday’s event will offer backpacks, in addition to school supplies, as well as a host of activities: bounce houses, a DJ, 3-on-3 basketball, not to mention 1,500 hamburgers or cheeseburgers and 1,000 chef-grilled hot dogs volunteers It’s all free, and as Wells noted, “We also offer free haircuts for kids—give them a new haircut so they can confidently go back to the school year with a new haircut.”
Registration is required for the event and those who register will be entered into a drawing to win prizes, including bicycles. To register, visit www.weliveterrehaute.com. Rose Park is located at 1515 Locust St.
Friday represented the hard work before the day of fun, as volunteers from the Wabash Central Valley Building and Construction Trades Council and T-Mobile helped Hamilton Center employees pack supplies. The board of trade also provided the building for the wrapping of supplies.
“As you can see, we have a lot of space,” said Tatu Brown, Hamilton Center’s executive director of human services. “When we did this at Hamilton Center, it’s always been tight. Here, we have space even if you’re aware of COVID.”
David Willis of Boilermakers Local 374 said, “We’re happy to donate the space and donate the time. We just showed up to do the right thing for the kids.”
“Everybody’s one common goal is to provide for the community,” Brown said.
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For many schoolchildren, Saturday “We live!” The event will introduce them to the services of the Hamilton Center and let them know that there is somewhere to turn if they feel they are in trouble.
“We all know there’s a stigma around mental health,” Brown said. “Hamilton Center is always trying to push the envelope of stigma free, you’re not alone and things like that. Bringing these resources to this community is important.”
“This year we believe this event is more important than ever,” added Melvin L Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center, Inc. “After a challenging year, we want to give these children and their families a good first step towards recovery from their struggles.”
Brown isn’t shy about wanting “We Live!” be a great success.
“We expect 2,000 kids to come out, why not?” he said He pointed to all the free goods and services they would provide to children, then added primary care, mental health and employment solutions – “things to help the whole family, not just school children”.
David Kronke can be reached at 812-231-4232 or at david.kronke@tribstar.com.
