A spirit of excitement filled the air Saturday as the annual Back to School Fair commenced at the Dublin Public Library.
More than 200 students received free backpacks, toiletries, new socks and underwear, hair care items and books at the event, all completely free thanks to donations of time, money and items. 34 free haircuts were provided by Blanca Lopez of All About You Salon and Spa and Lindsay Moore of Shear Heaven. “It’s the most haircuts we’ve ever provided at the event,” Library Director Adina Dunn said. The event was also flooded with people showcasing the largest Back to School Fair event so far.
The event Saturday, July 27 culminated after months of hard work by numerous community organizations, businesses and individuals.
This year’s event marks the 3rd annual fair that has occurred in this manner and Dunn said it was the most organized and smoothly running event yet.
“It was due to the Thursday Club and the number of hours invested before the event,” she said.
The Woman’s Thursday Club of Dublin met each week in the month of July to help organize donated supplies and coordinated donation boxes at area churches.
Events as wide ranging as the Back to School Fair do not occur without myriad community helpers and this year there were a lot, Dunn said.
Financial donations for the event were provided by the First Baptist Church of Dublin who made a sizeable donation and their kids at Vacation Bible School also collected money for the event as their mission project.
Other financial donations came from Bank of Houston, Dairy Solutions, Cottonwood, Lions Club, M&M Service Station, Mayfield Paper and several individuals who wish to remain anonymous.
Supplies were donated by Smile Doctors of Brownwood, Atmos Energy, Three Oaks Assisted Living, CCS Medical Equipment, Dublin Family Denistry, Waste Connections, Texas Health Resources, Greens Creek Baptist Church, First Methodist Church, Patrick Street Church of Christ, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and Grace Fellowship in Stephenville.
Volunteers from FBC, Cottonwood, Annie’s Therapeutic Companions, Woman’s Thursday Club of Dublin, Boys and Girls Scouts and Dublin Lions Club aided the event.
Community partners also had booths on site providing games and fun activities for kids including Star Council, Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center, The Church at Greens Creek, the Department of Health and Human Services, Proctor Lake Army Corps of Engineers, AccelHealth and Dairy Queen.
Both Dairy Queen and Lions Club provided treats of ice cream, hot dogs and bottles of water.
“My favorite part of the event was hearing the kids gleefully scream when the foam machine was turned on,” Dunn said. “Also, I enjoy how everyone worked together with no problems.”
Library staff members Daniela Carrillo, Kourtney Warner, Mendy Fort, Abigail Cabanas and Dunn were also on hand to help check out books and work at the event.