A swarm of kids, varying in age, filled the entryway leading to the ballroom at House Three Thirty on Thursday afternoon, waiting patiently for their turn to pick the right back-to-school backpack.
Some peeked over the shoulders of those in front of them, trying to get a quick look.
Not far away, standing in front of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters vendor table was Cassidy Merriweather, 10. She had already secured her backpack. She picked the black one over blue, navy and lavender options.
“Black is cool,” she said.
This trip to House Three Thirty was the first for Merriweather and her mother, Atrice Brock.
“It’s definitely a blessing to be able to come and also receive different resources,” Brock, 34, said.
They were among the hundreds of families to receive supplies — from backpacks to notebooks — during the ALL IN AKRON giveaway event.
“Seeing the faces of these kids just makes it all priceless,” said Chris Kelly, the market director for Chase, one of the sponsors of the event. “’I’m just thrilled to be able to make a difference.”
Last year, the event served more than 1,500 people. This year’s event appeared just as successful, with students ranging in age from teenagers to pupils barely bigger than the backpacks they coveted. Also on site: presenting sponsors Chase Bank, Starbucks, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Signal Akron and dozens of organizations and businesses that offered resources to families.
Karen Mitchell, the program director of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, made it her job to spread the word about the event throughout Summit, Medina, Stark and Portage counties. This is the second year that the organization has participated in the event.
“We know the economy is hard, and so if [there is] anything we can do to lessen that burden, come on out,” Mitchell said.
But you can’t quite be ready for school without a hair cut.
That’s why Danielle Reber and dedicated volunteers from Sports Clips made sure to bring all the necessary combs, capes and clippers to serve as many kiddos as possible. Last year, 60 kids received hair cuts.
“One of our core values is to build confidence in others. So we feel like this is exactly that, just getting these kids ready to have the best school year, looking and feeling their best,” Reber said.
That was perfect for Kelly Zickefoose of Tallmadge. Her girls, Kendyl O’Brien, Khole O’Brien and KayKay Elkins, got haircuts for school – which for them starts next Wednesday.
“It definitely helps, because kids are expensive,” said Danielle Rober, 34.
It means a lot to Shawn Williams to be able to attend the back-to-school event.
“When I was growing up, we didn’t have this,” Williams said as he stood with his two sons, who attend Glover Community Learning Center. For at least a while, a small weight was lifted off his shoulders.
Merriweather’s favorite subject? Science.
Thanks in part to the ALL in AKRON backpack giveaway, she’s ready to carry the load as a fifth grader at STEM Middle School.
