BASH PROVIDES FUN

Youngsters receive new backpacks, mingle with Crushers mascot

Around 250 youngsters received new backpacks on Aug. 25 at the first Back 2 School Bash at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County’s Desich Family Campus in Lorain.

A collaboration between the Boys and Girls Clubs and Rising Titans brought enthusiasm and excitement with the new school year upon us. Youngsters and their families were lining up outside as early as 9:30 a.m. to get brand new backpacks filled with school supplies.

Seventeen community partners — including El Centro, Neighborhood Alliance, LCCC and LCADA Way — were on hand engaging students and their families along with an appearance by Lake Erie Crushers mascot Stomper and more food and fun.

“I think we’re very pleased with the turnout. It was definitely unexpected. We kind of knew it was going to be big but not to this magnitude,” said Jessica Lucas, area manager for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County. “So it’s been a great turnout even though it’s been raining on and off. People are standing out there with their kids in tow and excited to be

here and see what we have to offer.”

Rising Titans, a community collaborative focused on improving kindergarten readiness for Lorain children is hoping to bring back the Back 2 School for a second year, building its success.

“I took it upon myself to collaborate with the Boys and Girls Clubs on this. I really wanted the community to come together for back to school. I wanted them to be excited about going back to school. So I felt as if it was a good collaboration and that we could pull this off together and here we are,” said Katelyn Gonzalez, collaborative program coordinator, Rising Titans.”

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Youngsters hang out with Lake Erie Crusher’s mascot Stomper after receiving new backpacks at the Back 2 School Bash on Aug. 25 at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County’s Desich Family Campus in collaboration with Rising Titans.