This year’s Back to School Bash events hosted by the Boys & Girls club of St. Charles County attracted 1,153 youth and adults. More than 700 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County (BGCSTC) is delighted to announce the success of its annual Back to School Bash events held on July 20th at the O’Fallon Unit and July 27 at the St. Charles Unit.
“Our Back to School Bashes highlight the power of our collective efforts in St. Charles County, as we address the complex challenges faced by our young people,” said Karen Englert, BGCSTC Chief Executive Officer. “Recognizing no single organization can provide everything needed to enable youth to succeed, we must step up as convener and facilitator to maximize communities’ collective resources and impact. By fostering collaboration and amplifying our impact, we continue our commitment to creating lasting change. We are thrilled to see the continued growth of these events, allowing us to reach and support even more children and families, thanks to the unwavering support of our network.”
This year’s events attracted a total of 1,153 youth and adults, marking a notable increase from last year’s attendance of 930, reflecting the growing community engagement and impact of the event. BGCSTC distributed 727 backpacks filled with school supplies, ensuring students are well-prepared for the upcoming school year. Additionally, a total of 855 meals were served to both families and volunteers.
The Back to School Bash events showcased the strength of the collaborative network in St. Charles County, with 27 community organizations participating in the event’s resource fair element. These organizations connected families to important resources to set them up for a successful school year, reinforcing the community’s shared commitment to nurturing the next generation. The impact of the community organizations was evident in the feedback from attendees. Of those who responded, 100% reported learning something useful for themselves or their families, 97.89% felt they were presented with relevant information during the community forum, and 91.20% learned more about drug intervention, prevention, and treatment.
This year’s events were sponsored by Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and Barnes-Jewish St. Peters & Progress West Hospitals through their annual partnerships with BGCSTC. Harvester Christian Church, Lindenwood University LindenGiving, Emmanuel LIGHT Ministries Organization, UKG, and many individual donors contributed to the backpacks and school supplies. O’Fallon Fire Protection District and City of Saint Charles Fire Department assisted in grilling the food for the meals, with the food generously donated by Harvester Christian Church.
The success of the Back to School Bash would not have been possible without the dedication of the 102 volunteers who contributed a total of 353 hours of their time. Their commitment embodies the spirit of community service and the positive change that can be achieved when working together. BGCSTC extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the Back to School Bash a success, creating opportunities for Great Futures for community youth.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County, volunteering, upcoming events, or to get involved, please visit bgcstc.org/events or contact Community Impact & Volunteer Coordinator, Makaley Mena-Dominguez at 636-688-8554 or
Mm***@bg****.org
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