FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Hundreds showed up to a back-to-school event at Virginia College on Sunday.
The event had food, games, music, and free backpacks filled with school supplies.
The organization, United As One, started the event six years ago, and each year has teamed up with both Virginia College and HD Riderz.
Lethonia Barnes is a member of United As One, and said the group is made of local barbers and hair stylists.
“We join up to give this free service because we want them to look good so that they feel good so that they’ll do good in school,” Barnes told News13. “We’re excited about the new year, and what it will bring, and we want them to be excited.”
Barnes said more than 1,000 school supplies are donated to the event each year, and the HD Riderz help with that donation.
“We’re just a group of guys that love our bikes, and enjoy riding, and we’re out trying to help wherever we can,” said HD Riderz member Jerome Andrews.
Andrews said the group spent roughly $800 on supplies to hand out to the students, and that they want the students to have everything they need to stay focused in school.
“A lot of parents don’t have the funds to get things like this for their kids,” he said. “They need this. It’s a necessity in order to get a proper education.”
Barnes said back-to-school events are important for families who cannot afford backpacks or school supplies.
“They [Students] may feel like a little less than others that can [afford] so we want to make sure that they are on an even level field,” she said. “That when they go to school that they have everything that they need.”
Students in Florence go back to school on Mon. Aug 20.