Special to The Sun-Sentinel
On Saturday, Aug. 6, communities on the east and west sides of Tallahatchie County came together as one to prepare the kids for school and celebrate the new academic year at the Tallahatchie Back to School Expo.
As the leading supporter and organizer, the Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance (TELA) brought together over 48 community organizations, partners and local businesses to make the Expo a fun, engaging kickoff for Tallahatchie County families. Resources and supplies were provided to ensure all children received everything they needed to get them on the road to success for the new school year.
Over 450 parents, caregivers and children attended this free community event, enjoying live music, play time, bag lunches, snow cones and lots of games. Chief Flowers and his volunteer firefighters grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, and the Wellness Center gave away free diapers to parents in need, as well as free blood pressure checks.
Families picked up free books, backpacks, uniforms, supplies, games, and information to help their children prepare for the new school year.
Across the East and West Tallahatchie locations, families received:
• 338 backpacks
• 316 sets of uniforms
• 244 packets of school supplies
• 260 books
• 30 early childhood social and emotional kits
• 12 pairs of shoes
• 8 COVID-19 shots
The planning committee consisted of Mechelle Wallace, Excel by 5; Beatrice House, Healthy Families of Mississippi; Angela Etheridge and Audra Brown, Tallahatchie County Library; Ashley Kilcrease and Kierra Brooks, Save the Children; Jessie Jaynes and Shirley Williams, both of Tougaloo College/Delta Health Partners; Bridney Jones and Fresca Suggs, Charleston Elementary School; Sharon Herron, West Tallahatchie Head Start Center; Kimberly Winters, Eva Covington Head Start Center; Eloise McClinton, ICS Head Start; Sherry Ellington, West Tallahatchie School District; Venita Halbert, Emmett Till Interpretive Center; Shenika King, Save the Children; Meg Sinervo, Meek Foundation; Pearl Watts, Tallahatchie County Alliance Inc.; Willie Williams, Rollins United Methodist Church; Eula Johnson, retired teacher; Sedrick Smith, mayor of Charleston; Sykes Sturdivant, The Sturdivant Family; Thomas Reynolds, state representative; Latrenda Bounds, election commissioner; Catherine Moring, James C. Kennedy Wellness Center; Dana Colinger, Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort (CARE); Concetta Wells, Charleston Community Center; Ricky Garvin, Table of Life Ministry; and Marvell Hudson, East Tallahatchie School District.
Donors included Chambles Farm/Brenda or John Chambles; Sykes Sturdivant; Mike P. Sturdivant; Walker Sturdivant; Brown’s Mechanic & Body Shop; Audra Brown; Sweet Peas & Bumble Bees/Brandy Goliday Brown; C&C Concrete/Frank Chambers; Brianna’s/Kim Curtis; Meek Foundation/Ed and Becky Meek; Charleston High School Class of 1971 (Eula Johnson); NCDO (National Charleston Day Organization, Cincinnati, Ohio, Chapter); GoFundMe; Leonard and Laverne Sayles; and anonymous donors.
Quotes from the Community
The Meek Foundation was honored to be a part of the TELA Back to School event. It was incredible to see the community come together to support local families and students. We stand behind the belief that education is what's most important, and this event showed that the Tallahatchie community believes the same. We have such admiration for this community, and love being a part of it. Thank you to TELA for putting on such a successful event. -Meg Sinvero, Executive Director, Meek Foundation Unity is strength..when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. This event exceeded my expectations. I look forward to doing this again next year. -Concetta Wells, Executive Director, Charleston Community Center “It was the best back to school event I have attended for a small rural community. The community partners and volunteers were very helpful and welcoming”. “The event showed the essence of Collective Impact”. -Mechelle Wallace, Excel By 5, Community Coach The Back to School Expo was very organized and brought many families from the community together for a day full of fun. Parents and children received beneficial tips and supplies for a fresh start to the school year. I was honored to be a part of this event that greatly benefitted the children of Tallahatchie county. - Tammy Standard-Librarian at CES Several parents and students expressed their gratitude for the assistance they received. We look forward to being able to provide assistance for years to come. -Francesca Scott-Assistant Principal at CES & Parent The Back to School Expo was a safe and positive environment. It allowed the community to come together for a good cause. The parents were able to mingle with some of their children's teachers outside of the school setting. It also allowed parents to receive new information and items needed to have a safe and positive school year. -
