TAMPA – Local non-profit Sisters Empowering Women, Inc. (SEW) will host its second annual Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9-1 p.m. Children in grades K-12 can receive a backpack filled with school supplies and the chance to receive department store gift cards to help purchase school clothes.
In addition, there will be free haircuts available, and this year, the organization will also give away free tennis shoes.
The event will be a family-filled day of fun games, workshops, arts and crafts, face painting, a selfie station and vendors, and will take place at the College Hill Church of God in Christ, 6414 N. 30th St., Tampa.
SEW is a not-for-profit organization in Tampa founded by three sisters: Amber Conage, Toni Boyd and Karin Davis-Thompson.
Event organizers said they are excited to be back for a second year and for the chance to meet the community’s needs.
“Last year, we gave away about 250 backpacks,” said Amber Conage, SEW vice chair. “This year, we have close to 400 to give away.”
Board member Toni Boyd said the bash has quickly become an important and cherished event, and she is excited about adding tennis shoes for students.
“We were honored that so many families came to share the day with us and get the help they needed,” she said. “And the chance to include free tennis shoes this year is truly a blessing.”
Also, this year the organization will be able to give away a laptop and a tablet thanks to two new sponsors, TECO and Suncoast Credit Union and their continuing sponsorship with The Weekly Challenger newspaper.
“Their partnership means so much to us,” said Karin Davis-Thompson, SEW president and co-founder. “It has given us the chance to expand our reach and provide assistance to a greater number of youth in our community.”
The backpacks and shoes will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children must be present to receive a backpack or shoes and must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information or to donate, contact 813-593-3924 or visit their website at sistersempoweringwomen.org
