Back to School Bash serves local kids
Published 5:05 pm Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Don’t Sleep Director Rashea Ford dances with kids at the Back to School Bash. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Don’t Sleep Director Rashea Ford dances with kids at the Back to School Bash. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Kids had fun throwing Velcro balls at a giant inflatable target. Photo by Fiona Morgan
About 30 bouncy houses filled Millennium Park, with different themes like a pirate ship, castle, and (Velcro) axe throwing. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Obriella Blue (right) plays inflatable mini golf at the Back to School Bash. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Obriella Blue (right) plays inflatable mini golf at the Back to School Bash. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Co-director Adrian Ogle
Kids had a blast in the many different bouncy houses at the Back to School Bash. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Kids throw Velcro axes at zombies in the Zombie Attack bouncy house. Photo by Fiona Morgan
Thousands of local kids gathered for summer fun at Millennium Park on Saturday for the Back to School Bash.
Non-profit organization Don’t Sleep held its sixth annual Back to School Block Party, which served students from Danville, Boyle County, Garrard, Lincoln, Mercer and even Rockcastle counties.
Co-director Adrian Ogle said although they haven’t been able to have the event since 2018, the response was enormous. He said they had estimated around 3,000 to 5,000 would attend; but about halfway through the event, Ogle estimated they had around 6,000 people coming in and out. Over 2,500 people signed up for giveaways for the day.
“Right here is just a way for us to give back to the community, letting the kids come out for a last hurrah before they go back to school,” Ogle said.
The event allowed students to sign up for free backpacks and school supplies that they will receive on the first day of school. Vendors at the event gave out other free things; there was a dance area with a DJ, games, and 34 bouncy houses.
Co-director Rashea Ford said after speaking with Families First at Danville Schools, he believes over 80 students will receive backpacks when school starts. Don’t Sleep works with the Danville family resource centers, Families First and the Beacon to cover backpacks for pre-k to 12th grade.
“Working with them have been a blessing for me and I hope to keep that partnership going for a very long time,” Ford said. “The best part of the day and biggest reason for this event will always be the youth. They had a really good time; and more children talked to me and my team this year about Danville and what they’d like to see happen here. I learn from them and I try to show them that we care by incorporating those ideas in the following year.”
All money raised at the event goes to students in need of school supplies.
