"Back to School" At GB Hosts 200+ Families

For several years, GB Library Clerk Delores (Dee) Walker has organized a Back to School event in the Urban Core. On August 15, Dee was assisted by GB staffers Carolyn Armstrong and Johnnie Speights, and all relished seeing the results of their labor. Thanks to gracious donations of JPL staff and community “friends”, Graham Branch hosted 200+ families.  Each child received an age appropriate bag with school supplies, and clothing and treats were available.  Additionally, children were given a TNT bag full of  tooth paste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. that Dee helped put together.

One special feature was the Unique Boutique where Dee and other volunteers helped families select an outfit for their children. One special memory for Dee is when she assisted a family with two visually impaired young ladies.  She enjoyed helping their parents select an outfit for both girls that met everyone’s satisfaction.

Dee said, “It was hard work but worth every minute when so many kids with wide smiles said ‘thank you’. The biggest reward was when a family of four said ‘thank you’ and then one of the little boys turned away from his family and ran back and gave me the biggest hug without saying a word.  To me, that was worth all the sleepless nights of preparations.”

This event was truly a labor of love and it couldn’t have been done without the extraordinary efforts of Dee, her volunteers, and the gracious donations and assistance of others.