MARION -- While back-to-school time can be exciting for students, it often puts a financial strain on parents.
According to the National Retail Federation, parents will spend $26.5 billion on back-to-school necessities for K-12 students this year, an average of about $650 per child.
For families on a tight budget and those with multiple children, that burden can be almost impossible.
Several local groups and individuals around the area have stepped up to help, including the Men of Ghents, who hosted the annual Boyton Street Community Center Back to School Bash last Saturday at John W. Jones Park in Marion.
"Programs like this help to get the kids the things they need to start off," said Lisa Wilson, chairperson for the BSCC. "It helps those families who don't have the means to get the things they need."
James Gunn organized this year event, his second time doing so.
"I've been a part of this since I was a kid," he said. "My cousin did this for 30 years."
Gunn said when his cousin, Joe Marshall, approached him to take over a few years ago, he didn't hesitate.
"Why wouldn't I?" he said.
Gunn downplays his role in the event.
"Everybody's donated to this," he said. "We've had donations from all over and plenty of people have showed up to help."
The event was in full swing within minutes of the starting time on Saturday, with games, food, school supply giveaways, and music.
Glen Taylor was manning a large grill packed with hamburgers and hot dogs.
"I've done this for about five years," he said. "It's a good thing for the community."
Other volunteers were busy chaperoning games and serving food. Another group was handing out new backpacks and school supplies, including around 100 box sets of supplies donated by Marion Kroger.
Kroger employees Demetri Cosby and Christina Deaton arrived with a car packed with the supply boxes.
"This is a great thing," said Cosby. "We're happy to be able to do it."
Having adequate supplies is important to student success, according to Channa Cockburn, a teacher at Johnston City High School.
"There are numerous students involved in multiple activities, sports, and clubs," she said. "Having the necessary school supplies such as notebooks, binders, and folders helps keep those students organized and better prepared for academic success, as well as their busy lifestyles during the school year."
Wilson agrees.
"I know with my own son, there are things that can be used from year to year, but a lot of stuff gets worn out," she said. "Then there's things like tablets and calculators that require a step up for new classes."
Other residents also contributed. Joe Dunmire of Iron Anchor Tattoos in Marion teamed up with Kristin Moore, owner of Kristin Moore Photography, who operates Scarves in Southern Illinois: Back2School.
"We've been friends for about eight years," said Moore. "He started out with a few backpacks and I told him I would fill them with supplies."
Moore said the impromptu project ballooned from there.
"We put together about 30 backpacks filled with supplies," she said, "plus we gave out items separately."
Moore said they received monetary donations from Wounded Rig in West Frankfort and the Sisterhood of Trauma Survivors as well as help from friends, Tiffany Owens and Glenn Stevenson, a tattoo artist at Iron Anchor.
"My mom (Sue Piece) helped a lot, too," said Moore.
This is Moore's fourth year donating supplies. She was happy to team up with Dunmire. "I'm beyond thankful for friends like Joe and his crew for doing their part in building a better community," she said. "He made this all possible in a matter of minutes."
Moore said the rewards in what they do are well-worth the effort.
"It's nice to see the kids' faces light up," she said.
Moore also said the parents and grandparents are grateful.
"One of the grandmothers said to me that it takes a village to raise a kid," she said.
The "villages" of Southern Illinois certainly stepped up in big ways last week.
