The 18th annual Jefferson County Back-to-School Fair, held Aug. 1 at the Jefferson College Field House in Hillsboro, was a success, said Samantha DeClue, development assistant with Disability Resource Association, which helps plan and organize the event.
Each year the Jefferson County Health and Education Committee hosts the fair, which provides free school supplies to Jefferson County children from families with low incomes.
At the fair, each registered child receives a backpack; school supplies; hearing and vision screening tests; a dental screening and referral; a haircut; healthy snacks and lunch; books, health and wellness screenings; as well as information about school lunch programs, insurance and more. All the items and services are provided at no cost. This year, the fair served more than 667 children. In 2013 more than 695 children were served, and in 2012, 588 were served.
The Jefferson County Health and Education Committee is a partnership of local non-profit groups and area health and social service organizations. The committee meets throughout the year to evaluate the community’s needs and organize fundraising activities to fund the fair. The committee is always seeking donations, volunteers and businesses willing to sponsor a fundraising event. All the money raised for the fair goes toward buying school supplies.
Top sponsors for the 2014 fair were: Adonis Electronics Recycling; Brandvein & Company P.C.; Concerned Citizens for Crystal City; Crawford-Butz & Associates; H.W. Herrell Distributing Co.; and Modern Woodsmen.
For more information, call Nancy Pope at DRA at 636-931-7696.
