By Lindsey Rowland
lrowland@wbcowqel.com
Preparing to go back to school is always an exciting part of the summer, and it’s even more fun when it involves carnival games. Area students got to experience the best of both worlds at the Bucyrus Methodist Church Back to School Carnival.
From 3 to 6 in the afternoon, the Bucyrus Methodist Church invited financially struggling kids and their families to their outreach center at 216 Hopley Avenue for games, face painting, free popcorn and drinks, a dunk tank, a clothing closet, and, of course, a colorful tote bag full of all the basic school supplies required for each district.
The event has been a community favorite for the past four years, when Grace, Epworth, and First United Methodist Churches all merged into the Bucyrus United Methodist Church. From there, Randy Moore-Garrett assumed the position of general chairperson, and has been dedicated to it ever since.
The supplies are purchased from the local Wal-Mart through a Wal-Mart Foundation grant to insure quality, uniform items, and the carnival is an outreach program with the mission department of the church.
Garrett is often asked why they don’t just donate money or the supplies directly to the schools in question, but she insists that the carnival is part of the experience.
“It’s for the kids. This is for financially struggling families…they’re just like any other kid in their class, they’re not stigmatized,” Garrett said, “This lets them come and be just like everyone else, and they have a good time, too.”
Joining into the festivities were area groups who set up booths for the Info Fair, where kids and parents alike could visit each station, play a game with them, and learn more about the services they offer in the process. This year, there were 22 participants in the Info Fair, with the number growing each time the carnival comes around.
The booths included Contact, Crawford County, Community Counseling, Affinity Health Works, The Bucyrus Public Library, The Bucyrus Area YMCA, and the Police, Sheriff, and Fire forces alongside both an ambulance and a school bus. According to Garrett, any social or civil service agency, youth group, scout troop, or anything in between are welcome to join upcoming Info Fairs.
Garrett said that there are at least three months of planning activities that goes into the three-hour event, and that she wouldn’t trade the hard work for the world. The church is always working to improve the experience, and appreciates help from such groups as The Alpha 12-Step Recovery Program, The Gideons, Doctors McMurray and Nagy, and the Boy and Girl Scout troupes of the area. Ultimately, though, the congregation grows closer through the sweat they shed together.
While Garrett regrets that they can only provide the basics and not all of the other items such as Ziploc bags, plates, hand sanitizer, and the like for students, they are able to plan for 350 kids and have only run out of supplies once. In that case, they have the names, addresses, and dates of 5 other school supply events in the area so they can share the information and make sure all are provided for.
Garrett said that there are many moments during the arduous process that make her question why she does what she does, but when she sees the kids walking by her table and she gets to wish them luck, it all becomes worth it.
“We get a lot out of it ourselves,” Garrett said, “But the children do too, and it’s for the children.”
If anyone is interested in getting involved in next year’s event through finances, supply donation, or to be in the Info Fair, contact the Bucyrus United Methodist Church office.