Getting gear for Back to School Fiesta

It might seem like the 4th of July was a couple of days ago, but soon, children will be getting up earlier, from 7 to 8:30 A.M., traffic will once again be on the road and the last summer holiday, Labor Day will be upon us. That is why Saturday, August 11 is so important, because it is the Back to School Fiesta held at the Wimberley United Methodist Church from 9 to 11 A.M.

The next important hurdle for parents to jump is getting the WISD kids ready for the next school year, 2018-19. For WISD students that are on assisted lunch or in need, the Barnabas Connection has been there for them, with a backpack and much more.

“We will have backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, a gift card to Payless shoes and vision screenings from the Lion’s Club. The Rotary Club will also be there to hand out books, and the H-E-B Buddies will be here… there will also be vendors tables,” Tracy Sommers, Barnabas’ Executive Director said. “We had 144 students signed up at this time last year. We’re now ahead of the curve with 223 kids signed up.”

It really is a wonderful program, with kids’ faces beaming and ready to go back to school with new supplies. It is easy to sign up, online, or picking up and dropping off the application at one of four places in town, Brookshire Bros., the library, Ace or Crisis Bread Basket.

It is one of those events that the whole town and organizations have backed for a dozen years.

“There are student volunteers that help decorate the hall, the Girl Scouts, and the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center will also have volunteers here the day of the fiesta. There will also be translators on hand to help,” Sommers said.

There are many events that the Barnabas Connection sponsors, each helping others right here in Wimberley.

During the floods, they were some of the first to help people apply for aid locally and eventually helped organize donations coming in from all over the nation. They can get individuals in touch with social services or other help that are needed by families and individuals.

After the fiesta, the next event on their calendar is the Barnabas Connection 5K Run/Walk to be held at Blue Hole On October 20. There will be prizes for different age groups and genders with lots of fun that includes food vendors, a fire truck and children’s games that will follow the race.

To learn more about this event or the Barnabas Connection see their website at: barnabasconnects.org

Any questions or if you’d like to volunteer at the Back to School Fiesta please e-mail: [email protected]