Washington County Enterprise-Leader
More Than 500 Children Helped At Bonanza
FARMINGTON — The numbers were down a bit but still more than 550 children received free tennis shoes, backpacks and other items to prepare them for school this year.
The ninth annual Farmington Back to School Bonanza, held at Farmington United Methodist Church on Thursday, gave away backpacks and shoes to 559 children, representing 19 school districts. Most of the children came from Farmington, Prairie Grove, Fayetteville and Springdale. Others came from as far away as Huntsville, Harrison, Mulberry and Watts, Okla.
Last year, the church gave supplies to almost 700 children.
Mary Jane Silva, who coordinates the event each year, said she is amazed at the number of children who come each year, but is just as amazed with the number of people who volunteer.
In addition to many church volunteers, other volunteer groups this year included Boy Scout Troop 555, high school dance team,
seventh-grade dance squad and the Farmington senior girls’ basketball team. Other volunteers came from Farmington Baptist Church, Farmington schools and just individual students who showed up to help.
Students from Career Academy and Hair Design on U.S. 62 near Farmington and hair stylists with Blush ‘N Bangs gave free haircuts. Walmart Vision Center, Farmington Dental Clinic and medical staff from different clinics provided free screenings and kindergarten physicals.
Children, from kindergarten through 12th grade, received free socks and shoes, backpacks with some school supplies, underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste and a goody bag with shampoo, soap and body wash.
“It’s awesome to see everyone serving together and I’m so honored to be a part of it,” Silva said.
One of her visions is for the Back to School Bonanza to become a community-wide project, supported by the churches of the community. Silva said she believes the time is right for this, pointing to the many different groups helping at the Bonanza this year.
Jodi Hendricks, who has helped all nine years, said the Bonanza is as much a blessing to her as it is to those who come for school supplies.
Hendricks volunteers in the prayer room and said she especially enjoys being able to pray for the families who come through the church.
“I love it when people give me the opportunity to pray for them,” Hendricks said.
Chainie Riley of Farmington said the Bonanza is helping her this year because she has a 4-week-old baby and has not returned to work yet. She also has a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old.
“It’s beautiful,” Riley said. “I really think it’s a blessing.”
Shawna Moore of Prairie Grove said she showed up at the church at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, waiting for the doors to open at 4:30 p.m. Her four children played on the playground while she waited in the shade under the church awning.
“I really think it’s a great help for the community,” Moore said.
For the first time, a group of eight teenage boys and eight teenage girls from a Methodist group home in Mulberry came to the Bonanza.
“Trying to get stuff for 16 kids is very expensive,” said Doug Demille, one of the house parents. “We have a budget and this makes it so we can buy other stuff for them.”
The Farmington church supports the group home each year by sending Christmas presents to the teenagers.