Supplying back to school fun
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on August 18, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Shachiya Gray, 9, watches as she gets her arm painted Thursday during the annual Lincoln Homes Back-to-School Celebration.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
William Taylor spends time with his neighbor, Ti'Zeir Benton, 2, while his mother gets bookbags for his siblings at the annual Lincoln Apartments Back-to-School Celebration Thursday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Trinitee Artis, 4, and Belinda Ashby dance to 'The Wobble' by the Lincoln Community Center Thursday during the annual event to get kids excited about going back to school.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Rihanna Forbes, 8, eats a hotdog during the annual Lincoln Homes Back-to-School Celebration Thursday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Children dance with Goldsboro Police Department's Officer Seymour Thursday during the annual Lincoln Homes Back-to-School Celebration.
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Ta'Naiya Anderson, 5, enjoys a hot dog after she had her face painted.
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Wednesday's West Haven Community Day treated residents to hotdogs, information about local services, balloons and facepainting and free book bags filled with school supplies donated by Aaron's Furniture. Jessica Greenfield, 5, tosses up a balloon as she runs.
Zyheim and I'Rayona Gaddy stood in line waiting to get their faces painted during the annual Back-to-School Bash at Lincoln Apartments Thursday.
I'Rayona, 5, wanted her face painted as a flower and her 6-year-old brother, Zyheim, wanted a painted clown.
"I like clowns," he said. "They're funny."
The children were among dozens who showed up for an afternoon of fun, food and school supplies at the Lincoln Apartments community center.
The event, from 1 to 4 p.m., was sponsored by Housing Authority of the City of Goldsboro, in an effort to help prepare children for the new school year.
Property manager Belinda Ashby said the annual bash goes a long way in helping residents living in the housing community.
"It's an opportunity for me to give back as well as the Goldsboro Housing Authority," Ashby said. "This is our incentive to give them a start to the new school year. Backpacks are expensive.
"It lets them know we care. We genuinely care about what happens with them and their children."
Walter and Kiara Gaddy were glad their children were able to get out and have an afternoon of fun. They were also thankful for the extra effort in helping their family prepare for a new school year.
"I think that this is one of the best things I've seen out in this neighborhood, really," Walter said. "We need more of this. It helps out a whole lot. It helps like 100 times."
The Back-to-School Bash provided up to 100 children, between the ages of 5 and 13, with backpacks filled with pencils, paper, crayons, notebooks and other school supplies, Ashby said. Parents were also able to sign up their children for a new school uniform of khaki pants and a colored shirt, which the housing authority also provided.
Kiara said the backpacks and school supplies help her children get excited for a new school year. She also enjoyed getting the chance to visit with neighbors.
"It's helping a lot, and it gives the kids a chance to get out," Kiara said. "It gets some of that extra energy out before school and helps them look forward to school."
The event included a dance contest and a variety of games, including cornhole, a balloon race and a sponge competition. Prizes were given to the winners and included gift bags, fidget spinners and gift cards to area businesses, including Western Sizzlin,' Sweet Frog and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
A local disc jockey played popular tunes during the event and several agencies, including the Goldsboro Police Department, Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department, the Girl Scouts, Health Department and Goldsboro Optimist Club attended to connect residents with area resources, Ashby said.
The Friendly Dental Van, based out of Huntersville, was also set up to provide children with no-cost dental screenings.
"(This) puts them in contact with other agencies that have services we're not able to provide for them here," Ashby said.
Brooke Miller's 1-year-old son sat in a chair with a freeze pop, a bag of popcorn and a drink. Her 5-year-old son, Semaj, receive his first backpack prior to his start in kindergarten at North Drive Elementary. He also had Spider-Man painted on his arm.
"They have it every year, and every year, it's a success," Miller said. "It gets the kids out of the house, and it gets them tired.
"It's a blessing because they don't have to do this. It's amazing."
The Back-to-School Bash is one of several being provided by the housing authority before school starts on Aug. 28. Back-to-school events were held at West Haven Apartments Wednesday and at Fairview Apartments Thursday morning. Another back-to-school bash is planned at Elmwood Terrace next Thursday at 1 p.m.
Sandra McKnight, a resident of Lincoln Apartments, volunteered Thursday and helped with handing out the hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks.
"It's all about the kids," she said. "I love to see the kids enjoy themselves. I love to work with kids and help prepare them for school and get them on the right path."