Brand new backpacks, some nearly as big as their owners, became a source of pride for the more than 7,000 children who were served at the fourth annual Back to School Roundup in Fort Worth on August 23. As co-presenting sponsor, Chesapeake Energy was pleased to participate for the second consecutive year in this event, which provides children from low-income families the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.
Reserved for Tarrant County families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, this year’s event saw a substantial increase in those needing assistance. Easily 10,000 people, including parents and younger siblings of the school children being served, braved the heat and humidity to wait in a line that formed well before dawn and stretched half-way around the block by 9 a.m.
“We are very appreciative of not only of Chesapeake’s financial support, but also of your presence on event day providing bottled water for folks as they waited outside,” said Lylette Pharr, chair of the Back to School Roundup board, who proclaimed this year’s Roundup the most successful ever in terms of the number of people who were served.
“It is absolutely the most important thing we do all year,” said Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks, who joined more than 20 Chesapeake employees passing out backpacks, shoes and coloring books at Roundup. “If you could see the faces of the kids as they pass this backpack station and pick out their own special color filled with school supplies, you just know that they are ready to learn, ready to go to school, and they’re going to have a good year.”
From bright-white tennis shoes to packets of pens, pencils and markers, everything a child would require on that first day of school was at their fingertips. Though not a favorite with the kids, even the booths for immunizations and haircuts were a popular attraction, filled with many grateful parents.
“With the rising cost of gasoline and food, the struggle that so many families were already trying to manage became harder, making the need for the Roundup even greater,” said Lylette Pharr. “Chesapeake helped in a great way to make a difference for 7,000 children and their families.”