Back 2 School Bash 2014

The Diocesan Service Coalition’s summer collaborative project is supporting the Back 2 School Bash event at St. Mark’s, 4227 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. This year we have a new North County location with St. John’s, Fallbrook organizing a backpack drive to serve low-income children in that region. We need everyone on board to help. We hope to serve 300 students at each site. Think of the difference we’ll be making in the lives of these kids.

St. Mark’s is hosting its event on Saturday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

How to Get Involved

The bash will include the distribution of backpacks, school supplies, socks, shoes and underwear. We will provide free haircuts, family/group photos as well as a delicious international lunch. There will be outdoor games and a craft table. There are many ways to get involved as individuals as well as whole parishes. We had several youth get involved last year and we’d love to have many more.

Last year we served about 250 on the day and gave away an additional 38 backpacks after the event. This year we hope to serve at least 300 students! Help us make it possible! All donations must be received by Saturday, August 9.

Sponsor a specific child/children

Pre-registration will finish in June. Specific information can be sent to you then. You may request specific ages, gender, etc. We ask that if you sponsor a specific child that you supply everything on the list (including socks, shoes, underwear).

• Collect school supplies

  Some groups prefer to do a general collection of school supplies that can then be assembled by volunteers at St. Mark’s.

• Volunteer

  We need volunteers to assist before the event by assembling supplies, setting up and double-checking all the donations. We also need volunteers on August 23 to help with every aspect of the day.

• Donate Money

  Last year we received several monetary contributions which helped buy the last minute supplies as well as help cover the cost of lunch, decorations, games and craft supplies. Also, if individuals in your church wish to support the B2SB but can’t do the shopping themselves we have designated volunteers who are willing to find the best deals to stretch every dollar.

• Donate Food

  We need hotdogs, condiments, chips, fruit, lemonade, cookies.

• Specialty Skills

  Last year we had a few photographers and three hairdressers. If you or someone you know is skilled in one of these areas and would be willing to donate some time on August, 23, please let me know.

• Media

  Know someone in the media (radio, newspapers, television)? Help us connect to get the word out. Last year The Union Tribune picked up our story.

Contact Heather Smith (619-847-2856 or nunns1@yahoo.com) for more information.

All donations need to be received by Aug 9.

Supplies Wanted

Grades K-5

1          Backpack
12        #2 Pencils
1          Pencil Sharpener
2          Glue Sticks
2          Pink Erasers
1          Pencil Case
2          Wide-ruled spiral notebook
2          Package of lined paper (wide-ruled)
4          Pocket Folders
1          Pair of Fiskar Scissors
1          24 Box of Crayons
1          Colored Pencils
1          Ruler
1          Pocket Dictionary
Underwear, socks, shoes

Grades 6-12
1          Backpack
12        #2 Pencils
1          Colored Pencils
2          Glue Sticks
1          Pencil Sharpener
2          Pink Erasers
1          Pencil Case
2          Package of lined paper
1          Package computer paper
5          Lined notebooks
10        Pocket Folders
2          1” Binder
1          Package Blue or Black Pens
1          Calculator
1          Pocket Dictionary
Underwear, socks, shoes

St. John’s, Fallbrook will hold its event in late July – the exact date will be broadcast soon. Their event won’t be as elaborate as the one at St. Mark’s. They are really focusing on getting 300 backpacks filled with supplies, and their contents list will be smaller than the one for St. Mark’s. St. John’s has received a donation of $4,000 to purchase backpacks and will just be looking for help from us to donate supplies.

St. John’s at first had the support of other non-Episcopal churches in the Fallbrook area, but sadly they’ve withdrawn their support because they don’t like the Episcopal church’s welcome of our GLBT brothers and sisters. The children of Fallbrook are the ones paying the price.

With two sites this year, the need is great. If your church has supported St. Mark’s event in the past, please continue to do so with gusto! It’s a fantastic day and the children served are so in need. I’d like to ask you to encourage your congregations to increase their goals to be able to support the effort at St. John’s as well. I will be convening a regional Service Summit in the northern areas of our diocese in June (similar to recent meetings in the desert) with the hope of looping in some new churches who haven’t previously been active in the coalition. I’m hoping these churches can jump in and support the Fallbrook event as well.