BENNETTSVILLE — Saturday, Sandy Grove Baptist Church held its annual Back-to-School Bash for area students. According to organizers for the event, 350 school regulation bookbags stuffed with school supplies were ready and waiting to be given away. In addition to much needed school supplies, the church also organized a cookout luncheon at no charge for all attendees.
April Johnson, a Second Advisor at the church, says the annual event is personally important to her.
“This event shows that we care and support the kids in our community. We want them to know they have a church family they can come to when they are in need, and we want to be able to help parents in need—it is our little piece of contribution, how we can give back to Marlboro County,” explains Johnson. She adds, “I love children, they are so joyous to be around, and it is a blessing for me to see how excited they are to get new school supplies.”
Church Advisor and Treasurer Chris McArthur said he agrees, adding, “It really is a joint effort each year. We have had a strong turnout today; I really credit all the pre-advertising.”
Sandy Grove Baptist Church Pastor Gilbert Wilson said he is also excited to see so many coming out to take advantage of receiving much needed school supplies.
“It is truly a blessing to see so many young people from our community showing up today to help themselves get ready for a new school year,” said Wilson.
Lady Juanita Wilson says the event is about more than giving school supplies to struggling families.
“We pray over every bookbag we put in the hands of parents and students. We pray they will have a happy and healthy school year. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support and donations the community provides — we could not do it without them,” Juanita shared.
From church members to attendees one name stood out from the crowd of volunteers: Rosalyn Caldwell.
“This event is a group effort, but Rosalyn and her husband do so much to organize and put this event together—she would never admit how hard she works,” said April Johnson, adding, “She has really gone above and beyond to put this together and we appreciate them so much.”
True to her reputation, Caldwell was very modest about her role.
“I love participating in this event because I love helping people. My favorite part is getting to talk with people, letting them know they are not alone. I like to let people know about our church Facebook page because I really believe it is a true light in the dark for our community,” Caldwell says.
She says there are a lot of individuals and organizations to thank—too many to name, but she and Johnson both credit Cabresha Smith with MUSC in Florence for her hard work, time, and effort.
“At the end of last year’s event she immediately went to work collecting donations from the hospital. Whenever she was able to purchase supplies herself or let us know of any sales or specials—she was there every step of this process,” Caldwell said.
It isn’t just the adults that get involved at Sandy Grove Baptist Church, Caldwell says the church youth are involved in filling the bookbags with supplies and help hand them out and with food service during the event.
“It is such a pleasure seeing our youth take the initiative to get involved,” says Caldwell, adding that thirty bookbags and supplies were set aside for them.
Local face painter Garnett Goins stopped by to get school supplies and rested up before painting faces at Threads of Love Community Back-to School Cookout later in the day.
“I am so happy to see such a great turnout with all this heat. This is such a wonderful opportunity for students and a great time to get together with our neighbors. I can’t say enough about all the effort and love Rosalyn Caldwell and her husband have poured into planning this,” Goins shared.
With five students in the home, local resident Mary McNeely was glad to bring her crew out for supplies and fun.
“Every little bit helps these days. Everyone is so nice and friendly here, we came last year, and you don’t have to jump though any hoops just to get supplies,” said McNeely.