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School supply giveaway draws hundreds to Langley event

Free distribution ‘really helps’ parent says
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A climbing wall was part of a play area for kids at the second annual Back To School giveaway at Douglas Park Community Schoolon Saturday (Aug. 24). (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Christine Higgins was impressed with the contents of her son’s new backpack, full of notebooks, pencils and other school materials.

“That’s all the supplies he needs,” Higgins commented. “This is great, because I’m a single mom. It really helps.”

While she was speaking with the Langley Advance Times, her eight-year-old son Mika was getting his hair trimmed for free by a professional stylist.

It was all part of the second annual Back To School event at Douglas Park Community School on Saturday (Aug. 24).

Hundreds registered for the Gateway of Hope school supply distribution, lining up for donated backpacks stuffed with necessaries for the coming school year.

Gateway based its bundle of school supplies on the lists from local schools.

The backpacks filled with supplies were prepped for different ages groups, from kindergarten to Grade 4, middle school, and high school.

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There was also a free barbecue, fresh produce, a photo booth, games and more.

All 550 backpacks were distributed, and there were plans to provide more to people who registered late, said Dan Donkers, Gateway’s fundraising co-ordinator.

It was the second year of the event, which brought together a variety of different agencies including Christian Life Assembly (CLA), The Village Church, Southgate Church and the City Dream Centre.

All 550 backpacks were distributed, and there were plans to provide more to people who registered late, said Dan Donkers, Gateway’s fundraising co-ordinator.

Last year, 500 backpacks were distributed.

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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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