Back-to-School Celebration becomes community tradition at The HUB

With the start of the school year approaching, families from across area gathered at The HUB for Community Innovation Augusta for its annual Back-to-School Celebration, an event designed to help students begin the year prepared through access to free backpacks, books, educational resources and family-friendly activities.

Now in its fifth year, the celebration has more than doubled in size, growing from distributing approximately 700 backpacks in 2022 to 1,500 backpacks for this year’s event.

“We’re getting ready to go back to school,” said Betsy VanDeusen, PhD, director of the Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center. “The goal of this event is to help families in our community start thinking about getting ready for the school year.”

The event was presented in collaboration with community partners RISE Augusta, Augusta Locally Grown, Harrisburg Family Healthcare, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Augusta, Richmond County School System and several other local organizations.

Sam Klein, business operations specialist at the Harris Literacy Center, said the event’s growth reflects its impact on local families.

“The back-to-school celebration was held the first year we opened here at The HUB in 2022, and it’s just grown and grown ever since,” Klein said. “Last year we gave away around 1,400 backpacks and had about 2,000 attendees when you include parents, siblings and extended family members.”

While free school supplies remain a major attraction, organizers said the event has evolved into something much larger than a backpack giveaway.

“We did a survey last year, and the top two things people valued most weren’t the backpacks or the free lunch,” VanDeusen said. “It was the books and the activities. We know we’re hitting the mark as far as not just a backpack giveaway, but a place to come get ready for the school year.”

Children enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the day, including a create-and-play room, board games, coloring stations, movement and play activities, read-aloud sessions and visits from The HUB’s mascot, Hubster the River Otter.

“We have a lot of great activities for kids, plus read-alouds and partner organizations putting on hands-on experiences,” Klein said. “There’s really something for every family.”

The celebration also welcomed community leaders, including Augusta Mayor-elect Steven Kendrick and representatives from the office of U.S. Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia).

As another school year begins, organizers hope the celebration continues to provide both practical support and a welcoming sense of community for Augusta families.

“Initiatives like literacy need layers of support. We’re very grateful to have leaders who recognize the importance of helping children and families succeed,” VanDeusen said. “Our goal is to help families get ready for the school year and have some fun while doing it.”