Free school supplies at annual Back to School Fair

Ginger Dixon helps Raelynn Hensel, 6, picks out a free backpack with school supplies during the 2021 Back to School Resource Fair. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

THATCHER — An annual tradition returns to the Gila Valley Saturday, in its fourth new location in as many years.

The 13th annual Graham County Back to School Resource Fair will take place Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the lobby of the Academic Programs building in the middle campus of Eastern Arizona College.

In 2019, the event took place in EAC’s Hoopes Activity Center, but was moved to the Activity Center parking lot for a drive-through fair in 2020 due to COVID-19. Last year the event was held at the National Guard Armory.

Students from any school in Graham and Greenlee counties who attends will receive a backpack full of school supplies.

“One of the biggest things I want to make sure people hear and realize is that you have to have the child with you to get a backpack,” said Chris Gibbs with the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition and the Safford Lions Club. “We had to make that rule so that someone doesn’t come in and say, ‘I have six grandkids that I want to pick up for.’ We have a lot of sponsors and donors that help us put this on.”

Service organizations will be on hand to give parents information as well as hand out additional school supplies. And St. Vincent DePaul and Great Communities Resource Center (GCRC) will distribute vouchers for free clothing for each child that can be picked up at the thrift stores.

Safford Lions Club will provide free eye screenings, there will be dental and nutritional information, as well as information about getting a sports physical and well checks for children before school starts.

There’s also something for parents whose children aren’t ready for school yet, or whose children have yet to be born.

“We’re also doing car seats,” said Brittany Hernandez with the Graham County Chamber of Commerce. “You take the class and you get a free car seat, but you have to sign up.”

There will be two classes of 75 minutes each, one at 9 a.m. and the other 10:30 a.m. Children are not allowed in the class and car seats are provided by LifeNet. To register call 928-428-2511.

Sponsors include: Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition, United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Walton Drug, LifeNet, GCRC, Safford Lions Club, Tooth B.U.D.D.S., First Things First, Safford City-Graham County Library, Graham County Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley, Canyonlands, TMC Healthcare, SafeKids, and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2022, to correct the name of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona.

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