MOUNT VERNON — Throngs of children and their parents descended on Riverside Park on Thursday for the sixth annual Back-to-School picnic and backpack giveaway sponsored by the Knox Network of Christian Ministries and Ariel Corp. Families started arriving at the park at 1 p.m., in anticipation of the festivities — games, free haircuts and free food — scheduled to start at 5 p.m. The youngsters also enjoyed a petting zoo with small animals and a llama, and leapt for joy in two inflatable bouncers.
Angel Maners of the Vineyard Church of Knox County said more than 750 backpacks were being given away. Each pack, depending on the pupils’ grade level, held things like two-pocket folders, notebook paper, colored pencils, glue, scissors and, of course, some goodies here and there. All the items were donated by community members. Maners said each backpack also has a special salvation message key chain, “to help the children remember that Jesus loves them.”
Certified hair stylists donated their time and expertise to cut and trim children’s hair; Maners estimated more than 100 new “do’s” left Riverside Park, Thursday evening. Approximately 1,100 individuals enjoyed the free meal, and the Gideons distributed about 200 Bibles. A veritable army of volunteers also helped to set up the event, prepare and serve the food, and supervise the games. Maners said the volunteers get just as much out of the event as do the children. “Just by being here you feel the energy of it,” she said.
Emily Helmick and her children, Corey, 5, and Ally, 8, were patiently waiting in line for one of those free haircuts, with Corey and Ally proudly showing off their new backpacks. Ally thought the back-to-school picnic was “pretty cool.” Emily, like other parents in the crowd, said the whole happening was a good idea. The children, she said, were “very excited the whole way here,” and were chomping at the bit to take advantage of the games and other activities.
