Volunteers help Chattanooga kids get ready for back-to-school

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –  A new Hamilton County school season officially starts this upcoming week.

And many volunteers, armed with backpacks filled with supplies, spent Saturday morning making sure inner city kids start the new season with the tools they need be successful in class.

While most people are sleeping in, dozens of volunteers are going door to door in low income areas of Chattanooga. They’re handing out free backpacks filled with school supplies.

“I grew up in a situation where I didn’t have a lot and it helped me have a heart for children who don’t have a lot themselves,” says Julian Kaufman, one of the volunteers.

Dejuanna Thomas also volunteered this morning. She says, “Some people are under privileged and less fortunate so this is a great kick start for them entering into the school year.”

“It’s been really overwhelming and really great. We’re passionate about this.”

Marquita Pullom is a parent who welcomes the help.

“I have five kids and this is a blessing for me because I need help with supplies,” says Pullom.

These volunteers are professional business men and women, community leaders and Chattanooga Police officers They’re goal is to help children living in the East Lake Projects, Westside and Emma Wheller Homes kick start their school year on a positive note by providing them with necessary school supplies.

“You obviously have to be prepared to do your very best in school. A lot of these kids have a lot more to think about in school other than just having school school supplies,” says Kevin Conley, another volunteer.

But going door-to-door is more than just about handing out free backpacks. It’s also about letting parents know that many of these volunteers are offering to be mentors to their children.

“If you want us to come out and talk to your kids during school. If you want us to come out and have lunch with him and check on grades, feel free to give us a call”

Michael Gordon organized this event. He’s all about making sure children have positive role models in their lives.

“It’s about the number of mentors and professionals that give up their time on a Saturday morning to come out and go door-to-door to let the community know we are behind you,” says Gordon.

Chattanooga police who work these areas know many of these children, so taking part in this event is personal.

“It’s very important to us that they get in school, stay in school and pay attention so they don’t become a statistic. Additionally, we like to see the kids prosper and move beyond school here in Chattanooga and possibly go to college or the services whatever they chose to do in a career field,” says Captain Jerri Sutton of the Chattanooga Police Department.

All 200 backpacks and supplies were donated.

And that wasn’t the only event helping kids transition back to school from the summer break.

The World Restoration Center held its annual Back to School Bash.

The event had everything from a bouncing tent for kids to more than 300 backpacks with school supplies to give out.

The event also offered free back to school hair cuts and youth counseling services.

Organizers say they simply want to make sure children are going back to school on the right note.

“So many kids in our community and our city do not have the resources they need going back to school so we host this every year to be a blessing to them so they have something to feel good and take some pressure off the parents with tight budgets and things of that nature. Help them get what they need for this upcoming school year,” says Jonathan Thoman, the pastor.