Getting ready for a new school year can be exciting. Picking out new shoes and clothes and putting fresh, colorful supplies in a newly bought backpack is a thrill for most students and a fond memory for many adults. However, not every student gets to experience creating those memories. For the last several years, ECHO Housing and Community Development has been able to bring this experience to the children living ECHO Housing units. This year that experience is expanding with new partnerships.
On July 31st from 12-2 pm, 8+ community partners will come together to hold a Back to School Bash for 45 children and dependents residing in various ECHO Housing and Community Development housing programs. The event will take place at St. Lucas UCC/Fresh Air Church at 33 W. Virginia Street.
The community partners include St. Lucas UCC, Fresh Air Church, St. Paul’s UCC, Pay it Forward Local, Shoe Sensation, Evansville Police Department, Kona Ice, Access, and several private donors of ECHO Housing and Community Development.
The children will be able to pick out their own backpacks, receive all the school supplies on their individual lists, get new school uniforms, pick out new shoes, have a hot dog lunch, and free Kona Ice. ECHO Housing will also provide games and activities for the children. It should be a day of making fun memories for the children, and their families, as well as for the partners and volunteers who are making it happen.
All of us at ECHO Housing and Community Development are truly grateful to our extraordinary community partners for their dedication and generosity. We are excited to see our children start school with everything they need to be successful students.
