By Cara Beth Lewis
A “Back to School Blast” will occur on August 7th from 8 am until 12 pm at Bladen Community College. All students, grades K-12 that live in Bladen County are invited, according to Sondra Guyton, Vice President of Workforce and Continuing Education at BCC. She stated, “If they live in Bladen County, this event is for them!”
The Back to School Blast will be a “blast” for students and an excellent opportunity to prepare for the upcoming school year. FREE backpacks, school supplies, polo shirts, and haircuts will be available. In addition, you can find COVID-19 vaccinations from Bladen County Health Department, educational resources, CPR training, and local sports information at the event. These items and services will all be available while supplies last.
According to Sondra Guyton, the planning staff behind this event asks local churches for donations to help supply backpacks, uniforms, and school supplies to give to the students who attend. All donations are to be made to Bladen Baptist Association. The deadline for donations is July 26th.
The Elizabethtown Rotary Club partnered with BCC for the Back to School Blast. They are hosting a back-to-school campaign collecting new and used school uniforms. Donation boxes are set up at county offices, including the Bladen County Public Library, Bladen County Health Department, the Board of Education, Bladen County Hospital, and Bladen Community College.
According to Guyton, upon attending the event, students will receive an empty backpack. They will have opportunities to fill the backpack with uniforms, school supplies, and more throughout their time at the Back to School Blast.
Local hairdressers will offer free back-to-school haircuts at the BCC Cosmetology Department. These will be basic haircuts; Coloring and other special services will not be available.
Churches, businesses, and organizations are invited to attend and set up a table with goods or services to offer to students. Those interested should contact Sondra Guyton at (910) 879-5634.
