By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The ninth annual Dennis Labadie Memorial Backpack Giveaway went off without a hitch on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Crestline Real Estate office. It was designed to give Rim students an opportunity to begin the school year with new school materials and backpacks.
There were many different sizes, styles, colors and designs of backpacks that had been selected by the mother-son team of Rosemarie and Dominic Labadie. They do this annual backpack giveaway in honor of Rosemarie’s late husband, Dennis. He began these backpack giveaways in 2003 as he believed that, when students arrive at school with a positive attitude, new school materials and pride, they will do better in school.
The line moved quickly as the Crestline-Lake Gregory Rotary Club and the Crestline Lions Club had their free school supplies all lined up, with many packed in baggies by grade level needs. They handed out notebooks, paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors, erasers, glue sticks and more, as needed by grade level.
Dominic, who has three students in Rim schools, helped the kids choose their backpacks. He asked them what grade they were going into and what they liked. He often took a clue from the shirts worn by the children.
“I am enjoying continuing the vision of my father, who believed in the education of our students as a way to improve the community,” Dominic said. “This is an opportunity for us as a family to encourage and support their education, and this all helps give them a solid start by being ready when school begins on Aug. 12.”
The children began lining up around 8:30 a.m. with their parents for the best backpack selection. Leah, who attended Rim schools as a child, and her children were in the front of the line. Lila, who is at MPH, was active in Rotary’s EarlyAct Club at VOE Elementary school and was excited to hear that Rotary’s Interact Club will be started at MPH this year. Gemma, who is in second grade, and brother Finn in fifth grade will both be at VOE this year.
Chelsea was there with her four of her six sons: Reed and Samuel attending VOE and Andrew and Scott at MPH. Andrew is excited about being in band this year. They’ve lived in Crestline for 8 ½ years and are very grateful for this backpack giveaway as the cost of school materials has really soared this last year. Scott said he enjoys living in Crestline. “It’s amazing, a great place to live. I like playing my trumpet in the advanced school band.”
Lots of unsolicited “thank you’s” were heard by the club volunteers from the Rotary and Lions clubs as they filled the backpacks the kids had just chosen. Both service clubs have been supporting this backpack giveaway for years.
The new rotating elementary art teacher, Devyn Grow, was there with her children before going to set up her classrooms in the three schools. She will be teaching the younger children the first semester and the older elementary students the second semester this year, so all elementary students in the Rim district will have formalized art classes this year.
Kindergartener Valerie Sanchez was tingling with excitement that she will be going back to VOE and seeing the friends she met in Pre-K last year. She loves playing on the playground and making things with her hands; she was hoping for a princess backpack. Her brother Anthony was there for a backpack, too, and will be attending 11th grade this year. Their mother was all smiles and thankful for this event, getting to socialize with other mothers before school begins.
The Labadies had held a yard sale the previous weekend, which helped pay for the cost of all the backpacks they had purchased for the giveaway. They also accepted a couple of donations from community members who stopped by to support the project.
“There was a lot of community spirit here today,” Rosemarie said. “It’s so good for the students, and it is such a nice way to remember Dennis. I hope everyone has a wonderful and successful school year.”
0 Comments