Jason Balduf
Laurinburg Exchange Staff Reporter
St. Andrews athletes went to Bright Hopewell Church on Thursday to help Rep. Garland Pierce and a few volunteers put school supplies in bags for the program on Saturday.
It was part of the Scotland County Branch of the NAACP effort to help students be successful as they head back to school.
The organization is sponsoring the Back to School/Stay in School Program this weekend where school supplies will be given out to all children who attend the program.
“All children in Scotland County are invited,” Pierce said.
The students athletes are required to have a certain amount of community service hours which is mandated by the Athletic Department to go out in the community and serve.
“As student athletes we all want to get involved in the community, and this was a great way to do it,” Mitchell Cooper said. “We are happy to help such a great cause,” he said.
Members from the St. Andrews Cross Country team and Women’s Lacrosse team helped. Pedro Tapia, Mitchell Cooper, Leslie Firth, Tommy Wilson, Patrick Hogan and James Walls, Elise Moore and Farron Saunders were the student who participated.
On Saturday, the Scotland County NAACP plans to give away free school supplies to approximately 700 children as part of its Back-to-School kickoff. The event will take place at I.E. Johnson School on 815 McGirts Bridge Road at 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m.
Dr. Dwayne L. Pinkney, special assistant to the UNC Chancellor for state and local relations, is the speaker. Dr. Shirley Prince and Mayor Matthew Block will speak as well.
Last year, the NAACP gave away supplies to 619 children and expect at least that number this year.
“We’re working in partnership with the schools to help where we can,” said Pierce, president of the NAACP. "The schools can’t do it all themselves.”
“There will be horseback riding, fun games, and all the free food and drinks the children can eat,” Pierce said.
Sponsors for the event include the Laurinburg Police Department, Scotland County Sheriff’s Office, Mayor Matthew Block, Scotland County Food Lion and Progress Energy, Melo, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Masonic Lodge of Scotland County.
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