The Mason County Schools back-to-school fair drew a large crowd on Wednesday.
The event was held from 4-6 p.m. at the STEAM Academy by the Mason County Family Resource Center.
During those hours, parents and grandparents of Mason County Schools students were allowed to pickup free school supplies and other items.
Mary Robinson-Griffey, the Family Resource Center coordinator for Straub Elementary School, said the event is held each year to assist families who may be unable to purchase all of the necessary items the students need.
“We give away probably 600 to 700 bags of supplies each year,” she said. “That’s about what we’re expecting this year.
Several types of school supplies were being offered during the day, depending on the student’s grade level.
According to Robinson-Griffey, the supplies could include crayons, paper, notebooks, pencils and other items.
“There are free supplies that are age appropriate and we have a ton of community partners,” Robinson-Griffey said on Wednesday. “The supplies are based on the grade level of the child.”
Something new at the event was a vision screening, according to Robinson-Griffey.
“There are so many children who will get to school and don’t have their vision screening,” she said. “There are also kids who are older and may have had their vision screening when they were younger. They’re having trouble seeing in school and that makes it difficult to learn. We’re trying to do anything we can to help kids be ready to come to school and just be ready to learn and not have to worry.”
Dorothy Nickerson said she was at the event with her daughter and grandchildren, who are in sixth grade and kindergarten.
“I think it’s a great thing that they do,” she said. “It really helps out the kids. The kids really enjoy this and so do we. It really helps the parents, because it’s very unfortunate.”
Helen Boggs was at the event with her grandchildren who are in the fifth, fourth, second and first grade.
“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “There are a lot of parents who can’t afford the supplies. It helps to get the kids the right things to learn. I know my grand kids are loving it. We’re going to be doing some of the other activities, as well. We’re going to check into everything.”
Destiny Thornton, a fifth grade student, said she enjoyed going to the event.
“It’s really nice, because a lot of parents don’t have the money for the school supplies,” she said. “I like it a lot. My favorite part is getting all of the school supplies and going to the bouncy house.”
Addison Thornton, a second grade student, also said she enjoys getting the school supplies.
“I like to get the school supplies and come for the other activities,” she said.
In addition to the school supplies, there were fun activities and food, according to Robinson-Griffey.
“We have the circus here doing stilt walking and making balloon animals,” she said. “The parents can fill out a survey and they’ll get a ticket for pizza and a drink and we have tickets for Kona Ice.”
Robinson-Griffey said there were also a limited amount of backpacks being given out to families.
“There are some here, but not a ton,” she said. “However, if a family needs backpacks and can’t afford them, they can contact the resource center and we’ll help get them to the right person who can help.”
Superintendent Rick Ross said he was happy the Family Resource Center was able to provide the supplies to families.
“We have a ton of community partners,” he said. “Families can come in and talk to them and to our school representatives. There are churches here, a construction company out of Florida who was in doing work and decided to set up.”
