OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — For students in Oak Ridge, the school year is just around the corner, and for some schools, the year begins on Monday. To help families prepare, several organizations in Anderson County teamed up on Saturday to host a back-to-school resource fair, giving away free school supplies.
The NAACP, United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR), the city of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Schools and other organizations came together at the Scarboro Community Center Gymnasium, all united by one mission: to give East Tennessee students a strong start to the school year.
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“We were able to get our basic school supplies — glue sticks, pencils, pens, notebooks, backpacks, which are essential for all to carry everything. So, it’s been an awesome experience. The people are so helpful, and it’s a blessing that they were able to come out and be able to supply the needs for the children in the neighborhood,” explained Clevetta Smith, grandmother of a student.Students of all ages filled their bags with all the tools they’ll need to succeed in the classroom. For some families, these events are more than just a back-to-school giveaway; they’re a lifeline. Veronica Corp, a single mother juggling college classes and two children, feels the impact of these events firsthand.“It’s very important for families because, as a mother like me, it’s hard… money is hard to come by. I work and money never lasts, and it’s hard to come by school supplies, and these events are awesome… they’re really good,” said Corp.The cost of school supplies can be a financial strain, so getting them at no cost makes all the difference.“We have together eight kids and a granddaughter. Four of these kids still need school supplies. So, we’ve been trying to go to all of the back-to-school events, because everything helps when you have that many people. It’s amazing. It’s really special that people donate, whether it’s things or money, to have this for people like us and for others,” added Tisha Moore a parent of eight students.
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Just across the street from the fair at the Oak Ridge Preschool, families were able to take advantage of free physicals offered by the free medical clinic, easing the financial strain for another important step in getting students ready for the school year.
“A lot of families, especially if they’re new to a community, they have a difficult time setting up an appointment to see a pediatrician to get these necessary physicals, and so we’re able to provide that resource. We also have people that just are very low income. Might not have insurance for whatever reason. And so that’s who we serve. Just anyone that has this need,” explained Kate Hull, Director of Clinical Services for the Free Medical Clinic…