15th Annual Back-to-School Bash Supports Houston County Students, Parents – 41NBC News

Warner Robins event features free supplies, haircuts and more

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. (41NBC/WMGT) — Students and parents in Houston County have gotten used to getting ready for the new school year at an annual back-to-school party.

“I’d like to keep this going until she graduates,” said Jackie Smith, a parent of third-graders and kindergartners. “It can save me a lot of money. And it gives me the opportunity to meet a lot more people and interact with a lot more people, which is also a good thing.”

This is the 15th year that Houston County Family Connection has hosted the event. Executive Director Valkyrie Anderson said financial support from several community partners has allowed the event to also include other services such as free haircuts, meals and hearing and vision exams.

““It’s just the result of so many organizations and so many volunteers from all walks of life,” Anderson said. “It all comes together, all the pieces come together, and we have the back-to-school party.”

Back-to-school events are common at this time of year. However, many families have expressed appreciation for living in a community where the well-being of students and their parents is a top priority.

“It’s more than just haircuts and food,” said Chaunte Allen-Boges, a mother of four students in Houston County. “The school supplies, I expect that from Warner Robins because it’s a community-oriented city, so I’m forever grateful to have a community-oriented city that always gives back, looks out for us and gives us the help we need when we need it.”

Allen-Boges says she started bringing her oldest son to the back-to-school event nearly a decade ago and plans to take advantage of the opportunity every year she can.

“It’s a few dollars less than I would normally spend,” she said. “I will be forever grateful and will attend any event they put on because we need it.”