WALLACE — Saturday, the Cheraw-Bennettsville District Buds and Youth Society hosted a free Back-to-School Pep rally at Wallace Elementary-Middle School from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., during which students from the Chesterfield and Marlboro County school districts came together to celebrate the start of another school year.
Cultivating a spirit of camaraderie between the districts, organizers planned out the joyous give back event to give students and their families an afternoon filled with fun, fellowship, games, activities, health and dental resources, food, music, and of course, lots of book bags stuffed full of back-to-school goodies.
Local resident Crystal East said she was very excited to see the start of a new school year.
“We wanted to come out today and just see what was going on, get out of the house on a Saturday,” said East, who has five children and says she appreciates all the back-to-school help she can get.
Vendor of the Lemon Patch, Quisha Bell, was thrilled to be a part of the event, even crafting different lemonades and drinks to serve special for the day. Normally, Bell operates a mobile bar in the area, serving weddings, parties, and corporate events.
“This is my first time serving lemonade, but I have been in business since 2020,” Bell said, adding that more information about her services can be found through her website and across other social media apps through www.3310mobile.com.
In addition to several food and drink vendors, there were also many other tables set up to provide health and wellness resources, as well as to give away free bookbags and school supplies.
Tracy Hunter and Sharon Drake with CareSouth Carolina said it was such a pleasure for them to get to see all the smiling faces on Saturday.
“So many people aren’t aware of all the services we provide at CareSouth so it is always a joy for us to come out and be able to share information and resources with families,” Hunter shared.
Drake says she wishes more people knew about the various programs offered through CareSouth, like paying on a sliding scale to see a physician.
“For the non-insured it is only $10 to see a doctor. We offer discount pharmacy services, such as WelVista, as well as dental, X-rays, and women’s health,” says Drake, pointing out that life -saving pap smears and mammograms are also offered at no cost.
“These resources are available across all the counties we serve in the state,” Hunter added.
Glendora Rahim, Karen McRae, and Mary McFadden were all eager to be handing out free book bags and supplies.
“I’m just happy to be able to help students in the Cheraw and Bennettsville districts,” said McFadden.
According to the ladies, supplies and book bags all came from donations, largely made by area churches for the event. McRae, who says she and her husband also donated, shared there were over 300 bookbags to give away while they lasted.
“All the bookbags have free supplies for school,” Rahim added.
Local Pastor Arthur Lee Gilliam II of Robinson AME Zion Church in Cheraw stopped by to pray a blessing over the students, their families, and the upcoming school year.
“I want you to know last year is behind you—whatever mistakes you made, leave them there. What happened last year does not count towards this year. Today is a new day and you are going to excel this year,” Pastor Gilliam said.
In addition to the Cheraw-Bennettsville District Buds and Youth Society, the Marlboro County High School band was also on hand to wow guests at the event.
Special vendors and sponsors for Saturday’s event included Monica Italian Ice; Speedy and Family; The Lemon Patch; Stoke Hill Lodge Number 361; Face Painting by Heavenly Ford; Carousel, South Carolina; Bennettsville; Dentistry on Broad; Blackman Family Dentistry; Lifehouse Dental and Wellness; Tri-County Mental Health; Wallace Fire Department; and Wallace Elementary-Middle School for graciously hosting the event.