ROCHESTER – The Blast Off 2 School event held Aug. 15 brought more than some much-needed smiles to 360 local K-12 students. Each child received a red bag with their own personal choice of clothing by size and color, along with school supplies and other items.
Held at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Roch. Hills, the event was the result of a collaboration of Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan, the Rochester Area Neighborhood House and Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital.
Parishioners from St. Paul Methodist Church made 715 face masks for the event. The Rochester High School boys tennis team assisted with stocking and loading of inventory for the event.
Assistance League provided a bag containing a new hoodie, socks, underwear, a long-sleeved T-shirt, a grade appropriate book, a mask and a hygiene kit. Ascension Providence Rochester did school physicals. Neighborhood House provided a wide array of school supplies.
“It was such a well-organized event,” Assistance League President Ann Drake said in a statement. “As each car pulled into the lot, the parent and student stayed in their vehicle, and our volunteers handed out the red bags. What a wonderful day.”
The event was free for Neighborhood House clients and low-income families who live in Auburn Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Leonard and Lakeville.