Success of the 8th edition of the backpacks competition

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MONMOUTH – The 8th Annual Karla Wallace Backpack Contest was held at South Park in Monmouth on July 24.

Wallace was asked what inspired her to start this annual giveaway of school supplies.

Wallace said that in 2012, as she took her grandniece on the first day of school to Harding Elementary School, she noticed a little girl standing around the corner looking sad because she had no school bag or school supplies.

Wallace said that it really occupied her mind for several days and that she believed that no child should ever have to start school without what they needed.

So Wallace decided she was going to do something about it. She made a plan and began going into business early this summer asking for donations. Almost all of the companies were very supportive of the idea and were happy to help.

She decided it would also be a fun idea to throw a back-to-school party and the perfect place to distribute supplies.

But if you’re having a party, you need music, so she called “Doc†Keith Patterson and told him about her plan. He said: “Karla, I’m in it!”

So, for the past eight years, Wallaces has hosted this celebration as his way of giving back to his community. Every year, she puts up posters and advertises to inform families to come.

Each year the need has increased. In the first year, she distributed 175 backpacks and supplies. Wallace didn’t let the pandemic deter her from her mission to help children; she assembled 120 bags that year and distributed them via drive-up.

Each year, Wallace and his friends start the party by registering the children with their names and notes. Names entered later for a design of new bikes. This year the Monmouth Police Department donated bikes, and in previous years the Warren County Sheriff’s Office also helped with the prices of the bikes.

After registering, kids play games, visit the fire department, explore fire trucks, then take a bus to the YMCA to swim.

When returning from swimming, food is provided to the children. While they are having lunch, Patterson plays the right music. Later he plays games, involves the children in dances, games and songs. Patterson participated in all the celebrations except COVID-19 in 2020.

Each year there are renowned visitors such as Mayor Rod Davies, Sheriff Martin Edwards, local law enforcement and first responders. This year’s speaker was Anthony Law of Carl Sandburg College who spoke about giving back to the community.

Fifteen bicycles were donated this year, along with the bags filled with school supplies, in a climate of 110 degrees with the heat index. Head Start assistants organized supplies and bags by class and by families enrolled in the programs.

Bridgeway Prevention also participated this year, hosting games and providing information on drug prevention.

Wallace thanked the following individuals and businesses for the donations that made this celebration possible: Monmouth Fire Department, Monmouth Police Department, Mayor Rod Davies, Ryner’s Auto, Painter Implement, Halcomb Oil, Papa’s Bar & Grill , Casey’s South Main, St. James Church, Laurie Berry, Trevor Davies, WMOI / WRAM Radio, Sheriff Martin Edwards, Kellogg Printing, Italian Village, Monmouth McDonalds, O’Riley’s Auto Supply, Dairy Queen, Whitman Law Office, Ann and Bruce Morath, Carol Stronbaugh, Boomer’s Auto, Wise Funeral Accueil, Michelle Wallace, Heather and Lamont Hooks and the Monmouth Park neighborhood.

Wallace thanked volunteers Rochelle Wallace, Shirley Sage, Nolan Wallace, Keith and Sue Patterson, Anthony Law, Ryan Hubalin and Jenna Hawk Wallace.

Wallaces also sponsors a Fall Hats and Coats Drive and Blessing Boxes.

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