Wheeling Back to School Events Scheduled For This Weekend
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The days of fun, sun and play are winding down for local youths, and now they are in need of pens, paper, and book bags in which to carry them.
The Bethlehem Apostolic Temple will host its annual "Adopt-A-Student" event and a back to school festival this weekend.
A giveaway of school supplies is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the North Wheeling Dream Center, 407 Main St., Wheeling. Free supplies will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the student receiving the items must be present.
The celebration of school continues the following day, when the "Back to School Festival" takes place at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Wheeling Park Amphitheter. The event is free and open to the public, and will include inflatables, games and food.
"One of the things that is unique about us is we adopt a student all year long," said the Rev. Darrell Cummings. "We're one of the few (distributions) where a student can come back throughout the year and we will give them more.
"Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and in-between times they can come back-for what they need, as long as we have it."
Cummings said the church doesn't just adopt the student, but adopts their entire family for the year.
"We give them the food they need, and hopefully it will last a week," he said. "We give them meat and vegetables and food and desserts and do as much as we can. When a family eats together, they stay together. And now they are celebrating kids going back to school."
Families in need of groceries also are welcome to return to the church's food pantry, which is open from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the year.
"We also give out clothes, pants, shirts, blouses, pants, tennis shoes, coats…," Cummings said. "Hopefully, the student can go back to school with a smile. We have no residency or income requirements. The only requirement is that a child must be present. If you say you're in need, we're going to help."
For the past 25 years, students have received coupons for a free haircut at the event. They gave the coupon to a barber, and the barber would send the bill to the church.
"This year, the barber will be on site," Cummings said. "Students will be able to get haircuts right at the Dream Center."
Ohio County Schools also is getting involved, and will bring Buster the School Bus to the event to teach school bus safety.
In addition, the Ohio County Animal Shelter will have animals there for the children to see -- and perhaps adopt if their family allows it.
Also providing assistance are the Wheeling police and fire departments, the Wheeling Rotary, and employees from the Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe law firm.
"This is bigger than the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple or Pastor Cummings," Cummings said. "It is a community event, and we're glad to be the band leader. There is no way we could do this ourselves.
"I don't want anybody to be struggling. I know what the struggle is. There is no need to be ashamed. It may be that you're not unemployed, but are underemployed. All of us need a helping hand at times."
Those wanting more information should contact Cummings at 304-233-8899.