Megan Hoffman, a special education aid at Artman Elementary School, hands Ja’vion Warfield, 13, of Sharon, a box of colored pencils during the Back to School Bash on Wednesday at the St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church social center in Hermitage. HERMITAGE — As tables covered in school supplies filled the social center of St.
Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Jalen Jackson had a few reasons to be thankful for the annual Back to School Bash Wednesday. Accompanied by his two children and godchild, Jackson said this time of year can be costly for parents when it comes to purchasing school supplies for multiple kids. His children’s extracurriculars, including wrestling and cheerleading, also put supplies such as backpacks under additional wear-and-tear, which means new supplies need to be purchased every year.
But thanks to the Back to School Bash, parents and children could grab a free backpack and other supplies such as highlighters, pencils, or crayons, along with a snack such as pizza or treats from Rita’s Italian Ice. “This is a beautiful thing they have here,” said Jackson, a Sharon native who now lives in Hermitage. The Back to School Bash started in 2018 as a partnership between the Hermitage School District and Primary Health Network.
Event volunteer and organizer Tracy Schliep said the supplies were made possible by donations and sponsorships from the community and local businesses, with the Hermitage School District administering the event. A leadership committee also spends several months preparing for the Back to School Bash. Schliep said this year saw about 50 vendors participate, who could distribute supplies for students and provide information on local resources to parents — something Jackson said he appreciated.
“I couldn’t come last year, but I wanted to make sure I made it this year,” Jackson said, adding that he recommended parents bring their children to next year’s bash. Aside from the vendors present, there were a few new additions to this year’s Back to School Bash. This included a Link the Valley van that was present outside the social hall and offered visitors dental services, Schliep said.
Schliep said any remaining backpacks and supplies will be distributed to school districts throughout Mercer County, so that guidance counselors can get the supplies to any needy students at the beginning of the school year. “Sometimes it’s hard for parents to get off of work, get their kids and get here in time,” Schliep said. With a line that wrapped around the social center outside of families waiting to get inside, Schliep said she noticed something universal among the parents and children leaving — gratitude.
“They are so thankful and so appreciative,” Schliep said. This year’s Title sponsor was Roscoe Physiotherapy, while First National Bank, Sharon American Legion Post 299 and the Betty Lou Artman Hermitage Education Fund were the Class Act sponsors..
