By Ken Gaidziunas

Staff Writer

The gazebo at Dorothy Fielder Park was lined with white bags filled to the top with school supplies and a neat row of backpacks was waiting to be claimed Saturday morning at the first Back 2 School Bash.

The activities were sponsored by the Van Alstyne Ministerial Alliance of Churches.

The event gave local children who were short of school supplies an opportunity to pick up everything they needed for the first day of school.

"The Lord brought us a nice breeze and this wonderful turnout," said Greywood Heights Community Church Lead Pastor Chris Jones.

Tina Sikes, Greywood Community Church member and the event's coordinator, said, "We registered 43 children who needed supplies."

"And whatever is left over will be given to the schools to distribute to needy children throughout the school year," Jones added.

Jones said that along with school supplies, the alliance wanted to give local children a chance to celebrate summer one more time before school starts again.

"We want kids to have a time," he said.

Families filled the park for hot dogs and burgers, cookies, chips, drinks, a bounce house, organized games and storytelling.

Jones said he hopes the alliance will make the Back 2 School Bash an annual event.