The Jay Deason Fund gave out bags with the supplies for each grade.

TIFTON — The Tift County Commission on Children and Youth’s 7th Annual Community Resource Fair and School Supply Giveaway on Friday, July 21 drew the largest crowd yet, according to executive director Lillie McEntyre.

The event lasted from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Tift County Recreation Department, but people began lining up as early as noon to make sure they would be able to get the things they needed to begin the school year.

Volunteer Dave Hetzel said that the line was well past the Elk’s Club when he arrived at the event at 3:25 p.m.

“We’ve combined several of these events,” he said, referring to similar events in the past. “So we had a little consultation with some of the groups, pulled them together.”

He said that this year the event is inside as well, which he thought would draw a big crowd.

“This is the largest crowd we’ve ever seen,” McEntyre said. There were between 700 and 750 people who attended.

McEntyre said at the beginning of the event that they were definitely able to serve around 400. She indicated that there is an ongoing need for such events and services in Tift County.

According to McEntyre, the event was started by the Tift County Health Department, Tift County Commission on Children & Youth and Tift Regional Medical Center for the purpose of providing services and information for a successful school year. 

There were approximately 35 local organizations on hand to distribute information on community resources available for families, as well as school supplies for kids of all grade levels.

Students were able to get enough supplies to go back to school with by visiting different booths.

“They don’t have a year’s worth,” Hetzel said, “but they’ve got what they need to start school.”

The Salvation Army was there with a supply of donated uniform separates for elementary and primary school children. All of the donations were distributed.

“We have been fortunate to have some sponsors who have given monetary donations that have allowed for the purchase of school supplies to distribute at the event,” said McEntyre.

This year the sponsors were The Jay Deason Fund, Wellcare, Tift Regional Medical Center, Amerigroup Real Solutions, Tift County Recreation Department and the Tift County Commission on Children and Youth. 

Similar events include a Stuff the Bus Event Friday, July 28 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Walmart Super Center on Highway 82. Mims Kids Stay in School Rally on July 29 from noon until 3 p.m. at the Tift County Recreation Department.