When Tryon United Methodist Church inaugurated the Back to School Bash last August, organizers set their sights high: a cost-free celebration for students and their families throughout the community, with food, games and air-filled fun for the kids, resources for their parents and even free back-to-school haircuts. The congregation accumulated new or little-used winter coats for school-age children and they gathered up enough school supplies to fill tote bags for the first 100 students. Organizers said it was a great beginning to what they hoped would become a community tradition.
A recent $2,700 grant from the Polk County Community Foundation’s Kirby Civic Events Fund has made that hope a reality.
“This is a great gift to the entire community,” said Bob Bailey, one of the original organizers of the event.  “Under the foundation’s sponsorship, the 2012 Back to School Bash will be able to expand its reach in every way, meeting the needs of more students and providing fun and fellowship for more families, regardless of need. We’re extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
The Back to School Bash will take place at Tryon United Methodist Church on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  For more information, call the church office at 828-859-9218.
– article submitted
by Nancy Hiley