15th annual Back-to-School Bash supports Houston County students and parents

Warner Robins event offers free supplies, haircuts and more

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Houston County students and parents have grown accustomed to preparing for the new school year at an annual back-to-school bash.

“I wish it can keep on going until she finishes school,” said Jackie Smith, the mother of rising third-grade and kindergarten students. “It can save me a whole lot of money. And you get a chance to meet a lot more people, and interact with a lot more people so that’s good too.”

This is the 15th year Houston County Family Connection has hosted the event. Executive Director Valkyrie Anderson says financial support from several community partners allowed the event to also include other services such as free haircuts, meals and hearing and vision screenings.

“It’s just an effort by so many organizations and so many volunteers across the board,” Anderson said. “It all comes together, all of the pieces, and we have the back-to-school bash.”

Back-to-school events are common this time of year. However, many families expressed their appreciation for living in a community where the well-being of students and their parents is a top priority.

“This is above and beyond, the haircuts and food,” said Chaunte Allen-Boges, the mother of four Houston County students. “The school supplies, I’ve come to expect that from Warner Robins, because they’re a community-driven city, so I’m forever grateful that in a community-driven city that always gives back, looks out for us, and gives us the help we need when we need it.”

Allen-Boges says she started bringing her oldest son to the back-to-school event almost a decade ago and plans to take advantage of the opportunity every year she can.

“This is a couple dollars less than what I would normally have to spend,” she said. “So I’m forever grateful, and I will come to every event they throw because we need it.”