Photo/Lindsey Helm
Highland Student Council member Bailey Nicholson practices face painting on Annabelle Burton at the 2022 Backpack Extravaganza Sat. Aug. 6 at the Highland Assembly of God Church. Several members of the Highland STUCO volunteered at the community event.
By: Tammy Curtis, Managing Editor
To witness the amount of love the Spring River Community shows when they prepare each year for the Backpack Extravaganza is amazing.
From the love of area churches to businesses and the support of hundreds of church, school and community volunteers, the massive event provides so much for students in the area.
Over 50 volunteers gathered on Friday night at the Highland Assembly of God Church to pack hundreds of backpacks for area youth and begin setting up for the Sat. Aug. 6 event.
Children enjoyed the day playing games, treats and receiving free backpacks and shoes at the Backpack Extravaganza Aug. 6 at Highland Assembly of God.
Even more volunteers arrived under the cover of darkness on Aug. 6 to finish the many preparations for the massive event that began around 9 a.m.
Hundreds of families showed up to receive backpacks and shoes and enjoy the fellowship and fun offered at the event, which included games, face painting, free food and many other events and highlights.
Highland students in Highland Student Council and from area churches volunteered in many ways to help in the preparation and orchestration of the event. From painting children faces, to bringing smiles with games and prizes to helping children select shoes the group joined in the need and withstood the summer heat. They also helped putting tinsel in girl’s hair, manned food booths and simply assisted in various areas.
The youth of Sharp County showed their best side in working for and alongside their fellow church and classmates in one of the largest community service projects in the area.
The community truly care together for one common goal to serve and give back to a community that always gives so much.
The Highland School District said on their social media page, “Thank you, Highland Assembly, Pastor Chris Clem, all of the event’s organizers, and the countless number of people who donated and gave their time to show our community love in action today.”
Several families commented that the assistance with back to school supplies was very appreciated and that the gift provided a much needed financial relief on their family.
Each year the event is organized through the Highland Assembly of God and an army of volunteers who always put their best foot forward to help at such a needed event.