Five hundred backpacks were available for attendees of the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
SANFORD, N.C. - On Aug. 3, Sanford's Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) Lee Main Campus transformed into a hub of community activity. The day celebrated the Let's Do It Together (LDIT) Foundation's 3rd annual Back-To-School event, a collaboration with CCCC, Lee County Schools, El Refugio, and other community partners.
The event was designed to be more than just a distribution of school supplies. It aimed to connect families with a broad array of local resources, including educational workshops, health and wellness services, and a range of festive activities. The collective strength of the participating organizations was harnessed to meet the diverse needs of Sanford and Lee County, ensuring every student and family had the support they needed for a successful school year.
"CCCC's vision is 'Exceptional Learning for All.' We believe in our vision and we understand our responsibility in ensuring that it is realized in the communities we serve," said CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman. "Joining with community champions and leaders who help us better engage with individuals who have not seen themselves as CCCC students who come through us to the career of their choice is powerful. It is incredibly important to me as someone who has been a part of the CCCC family for over 32 years and it matters to all of us. What an opportunity for our region and what an honor for our college."
"Supporting our students is too important for us to do alone," said Jeanette Peace, of the LDIT Foundation. "The success of this annual event requires the entire village. We could not have achieved success without Central Carolina Community College and El Refugio. The work and resources provided by Central Carolina Community College who agreed to host the event cannot be understated. The CCCC team members were phenomenal hosts. They created an environment that was fun, welcoming, and inviting. El Refugio brought nonprofit vendors and vision and hearing screenings to the event."
"I am excited because Let's Do It Together has been able to bring non-profits, faith-based institutions, corporate stakeholders, and educational institutions together to show our students how much we are rooting for their success," said Peace. "Every child needs to know that they are cared for by a village and that we all are willing to invest resources in helping them to have an amazing school year. For example, having our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. (Chris) Dossenbach, there and making comments lets everyone in attendance see that he is committed to creating spaces where information about our schools can be disseminated throughout the community."
Peace played a founding role in the development of Let's Do It Together and serves as the foundation's lead administrator, as Community Coordinator/Advocate. Bishop Charles Mellette is President of the foundation, which has a mission to strengthen the community by promoting opportunities for everyone through education, advocacy, civic engagement, and collaboration. Foundation Treasurer Jeffrey Petty was LDIT chairperson of the Back-To-School event. Peace saluted all who serve on the LDIT board.
El Refugio Executive Director Yanira Scott noted that the event was an incredible opportunity to unite the community and provide parents and guardians with essential tools to help their students succeed in the upcoming year. "It goes beyond the distribution of free school supplies by connecting families with invaluable local resources in Lee County. What excites us at El Refugio is the chance to bring together diverse demographic groups for a truly meaningful and supportive event that fosters community spirit and collaboration," she said.
El Refugio is an organization that improves the quality of life for all in Sanford and Lee County, by building bridges between transitioning immigrants and established residents through sharing, learning, and serving the community together while respecting cultural identities.
During the event, 500 backpacks were distributed and 1,000 hot dogs were served, reflecting a strong sense of community. Parents and children participated in the festivities, enjoying good food, fun children's activities, and a variety of engaging performances.
One parent shared their appreciation, saying, "My child had an amazing time at the Back-To-School community event! The food was delicious, the performances were entertaining, and the free backpacks and community resources were incredibly helpful. It was a wonderful way to kick off the new school year and bring our community together. Thank you for organizing such a fantastic event."
Another parent highlighted the event's impact on their busy Back-To-School preparations: "Back-to-school time is very hectic. Amidst all the hustle, anything to take some of the pressure off of parents can be a simple yet powerful way to stay present and get energized for the school year ahead. ... They had great resources for students of all ages and parents, and the activities and community outreach were fantastic."
"I love Sanford and Lee County, so when I say that 'We are better together,' I don't mean it as a cliche. I mean it as a way of us being good neighbors, extended family, and friends," said Peace. "We are creating a model that other communities can follow, but more importantly, we are setting an example for our children. It is so easy to get caught up in how we are different but if we really stop to think about it, we have so much more in common than the things that divide us. Those commonalities are what can provide access and opportunities to everyone and those commonalities are what strengthen our community."
Peace says that one of the most important things that she believes LDIT can do is to continue to build bridges. "I believe that we can continue to connect resources, educational opportunities, and information to people who need them. We want people to realize that relationships matter. Helping people to gain the confidence to find their own voices matters. Getting to know each other matters," she said. "LDIT wants to be that bridge that connects stakeholders in our community for the common good. When we build bridges, we develop an appreciation, respect, and caring for each other. Our community can accomplish great things -- beyond our imagination -- if we will commit to doing it TOGETHER."
Plans are already in motion to significantly expand the event for Fall 2025, promising an even more engaging experience for the community. Next year's event will feature a broader range of partners, activities, resources, and performances. Attendees can look forward to a larger distribution of school supplies and backpacks, ensuring more students are ready for the school year. To accommodate the expected growth, the event will be held at a larger venue on CCCC's campus. The community is encouraged to save the date for the first weekend in August 2025.
Five hundred backpacks were available for attendees of the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
The creation of friendship bracelets was among the activities at the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
There were plenty of fun activities for the attendees of the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
Cotton candy was among the popular food choices at the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
A dance performance was among the festivities at the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
A dance performance was among the festivities at the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
Bishop Charles Mellette, President of the Let's Do It Together Foundation, speaks to the audience at the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
Attendees had the chance to receive free vision screenings courtesy of the Lions Club Vision Van, while other non-profit organizations showcased their initiatives, providing a rich tapestry of resources for the community to explore at the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
These two women are all smiles while attending the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.
Charles Bell, Chair of the Central Carolina Community College Welding Department, visits with attendees of the Back-To-School event on Aug. 3.