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Free Book Bags Draw A Crowd

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

Many students will find it easier to tote books back and forth to school this year thanks to the mutual efforts of several area churches and a service organization.

Fort Alafia Restoration Ministries, New Faith Fellowship Church and Masonic Lodge No. 206 coordinated a back-to-school event Aug. 9 that benefited 450 students from across eastern Hillsborough County. The students received book bags, free of charge, and enjoyed a county fair atmosphere with hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy, clowns and a jump tent that kept them busy during the scheduled two-hour event.

The Rev. Ron Dixon, pastor at Fort Alafia Restoration Ministries, near Keysville, said he was pleased with the turnout.

"Our church membership had the means and the will to help these students," Dixon said. "But we had trouble contacting the right person to make it all happen. Finally I was able to reach Commissioner Mary Yvette Thomas Mathis, and it all came together."

Mathis was raised in the Lincoln Park area, where the gathering took place. She attends church in the area and is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 206, 208 S. Maryland Ave., where the event took place.

"We had fliers made up and distributed in the churches and businesses in the area," Mathis said. "We also contacted Brother Caldwell, who wanted to help. And the Masonic Lodge was the perfect venue."

Brother K. Joseph Caldwell heads up New Faith Fellowship Church, 603 Elnor St. His church membership supplied and cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs.

"The grill has stayed busy, and we'll keep going until the supplies run out," Caldwell said. "This is an event we are proud to be a part of. It's nice to see such an enthusiastic turnout.

"It looks like the students and their families are having a great time today."

Mathis, a member of the Eastern Star, Sarah Chapter 3, at Lodge No. 206, contacted Wanda Campbell and Stanley Dixon to book the hall at no charge.

"We are pleased to participate," Campbell said. "Helping students, members of our community, bringing these families together is always rewarding. The response from the community is amazing. This event is a big success."

About 30 volunteers from Fort Alafia registered the families that received book bags. Contact information would be used to offer other benefits to participating families.

One of those benefits sponsored by the church is Gracie's Place, a food and clothes bank at 709 Jerry Smith Road, north of State Road 60. The food bank is open on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

Church members Paul and Amanda Long volunteer their time to operate the shop.

"We have nonperishable and perishable food available there," Amanda Long said. "We also have a limited amount of clothing. And we can locate furniture items for special needs.

"We want to invite everyone to visit Gracie's Place and see how we can help."

A quickly passing rain shower helped cool the crowd at 10 a.m. but failed to dampen the enthusiasm.

"This was such a huge success we are looking forward to doing it again," the Rev. Ron Dixon said.

George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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