Bright Beginnings sends 25 students back to school
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| From left are Bright Beginnings shoppers Wanda Ross, Cara Randolph and Cathy Snowden. |
Like hundreds of the other Middlesex County youth, 25 school-aged youth went back to school shopping to prepare for the upcoming academic year. There was one catch however. They shopped for free as part of the 5th annual Middlesex Family YMCA’s Bright Beginnings outreach program.
“This program was designed with the purpose to help under-served children in our community start off on the right foot,” said Buzz Lambert, branch executive of the Middlesex Family YMCA. “Bright Beginnings helps provide new clothes and school supplies to children in need in our community. The goal of this program is to help children have a great start in school by giving them confidence and the tools they need to learn.”
The 25 youth were paired with volunteers that served as their shopping partners when they arrived at the Kilmarnock Walmart. Shoppers included: Carolyn Henkel, Ken Schmalenberger, Randy and Cara Randolph, Jerry and Lynne McMurtrie, Lions Club members Myrna Alderman and Russell Fitchett, EVB representative Cathy Snowden, Fred and Linda Edwards, BB&T representatives Carla Sibley, Wanda and Chelsea Lewter, Sharon Perez, JoAn Shoemaker, Marianne Thomas, Michael Taylor, Wanda Ross, Joe Heyman, Kristin Harris, Kendra Harris, Ashton Cawthorn, Faye Parson, Ernest and Virginia Ashford, Bea Foley, David and Pam Waldron, Melinda Burnette, Rosabeth Kissman and Traci Page.
Upon arrival, volunteers ventured off with their little shoppers to purchase $125 worth of clothing. Once the teams completed their shopping lists, they enjoyed lunch provided by the Kilmarnock Walmart. The children and volunteers then returned to the YMCA, wished each other well, and departed with the excitement of starting the school year off right.
The average cost to shop for one child is $150, which includes clothes and school supplies. Lambert and his staff asked YMCA members, civic organizations, and businesses for monetary donations to cover the expenses.
Financial sponsors included: BB&T, Fred and Linda Edwards, Andy and Nicolle Morgan, EVB, Kiwanis Club of Middlesex, Lions Club of Middlesex, Church of the Visitation, Bob and Kris Scherrer, Charlie and Bev Hart, Rappahannock Concrete, Cookie Fleet, Rachel Edwards, Bruce Woodruff, Rusty and Traci Fairheart, Joyce and Richard Price, Jason and Emilie Rowe, Marianne Thomas, Bradley and Alice Burgess, and Patricia Travers. BB&T provided all 25 children with the school supplies needed for their respective grades.
“I would like to thank Jeanie Taliaferro of Middlesex Social Services and Kim Bagby of Middlesex Elementary for providing the Y with the list of hard-working families that need a little extra help to start this school year off right. Each year, we try to assist different families from all areas of the county,” stated Lambert. “It is reassuring that the generosity of community businesses and members ensures that our mission, which is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, is alive and well in Middlesex County.”
