Love Denver organizers expand outreach effort this year
by Tori Hamby
Organizers of the second annual Love Denver back-to-school event are prepared this go-around.
Volunteers from Providence Church distributed all 50 school supply-filled bookbags to Denver children minutes before last year’s event even officially started. So this time, Providence Pastor Bobby Wilkinson has enlisted the help of other churches to reach a greater number of Denver students about to return to school Aug. 27.
“This year we will be giving away about 400-500 backpacks depending on the final amount of money we collect,” Wilkinson said.
Love Denver will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 25 in the field next to Walmart, 7131 N.C. 73, Denver.
About 150 volunteers from seven churches will run the event which, in addition to the bookbag giveaway, includes free haircuts, eye and dental care, chiropractic services, basic medical exams, family portraits, food, children’s activities, faith outreach and entertainment.
The ministry began last year when Wilkinson and his congregation thought they could do more to directly help their community.
“This is a predominantly a Gospel event,” he said. “We want everyone to know that it is not the good deeds of the faith community, but rather the body of Jesus – the church, therefore Jesus himself – providing this event.”
Lakeshore Church of Lake Norman Pastor Jeff Morrison said his congregation missed last year’s event because they didn’t know about it, but will help out this year by heading up the bookbag collection effort.
“Bookbags are probably the most expensive single back-to-school item that parents have to provide for their kids,” Morrison said. “School can be challenging, and we don’t want students to have to go without the things they need.”
Volunteers, unlike last year, will have guests register before entering the event instead of automatically fulfilling every request for a bookbag. Everyone wishing to receive a bag and food must be present at registration to receive a ticket.
Those only wanting to receive medical services and haircuts don’t need to register, Wilkinson said.
The event takes about $7,000 to run, he added, and the churches are still collecting donations to pay for tent rentals, food, promotion efforts and bounce houses. All donations are tax deductible, he said.
Volunteers from the Denver church community will also be available to provide some spiritual outreach, Wilkinson said. Love Denver will include a ministry resource area where residents can learn about Denver churches and nonprofits that provide spiritual guidance as well as material assistance.
“Truly our greatest objective is not just that the needy has food and water and material possessions,” Wilkinson said.
Want more information?
Go online to www.lovedenver.net. Those who want to donate items and money to Love Denver should email info@lovedenver.net.
Jinner Rudolph trims up 11-year-old Hank Hill, who attends East Lincoln Middle School, during the 2011 Love Denver back-to-school event. (Denver Weekly file photo)
Volunteers from Providence Church distributed all 50 school supply-filled bookbags to Denver children minutes before last year’s event even officially started. So this time, Providence Pastor Bobby Wilkinson has enlisted the help of other churches to reach a greater number of Denver students about to return to school Aug. 27.
“This year we will be giving away about 400-500 backpacks depending on the final amount of money we collect,” Wilkinson said.
Love Denver will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 25 in the field next to Walmart, 7131 N.C. 73, Denver.
About 150 volunteers from seven churches will run the event which, in addition to the bookbag giveaway, includes free haircuts, eye and dental care, chiropractic services, basic medical exams, family portraits, food, children’s activities, faith outreach and entertainment.
The ministry began last year when Wilkinson and his congregation thought they could do more to directly help their community.
“This is a predominantly a Gospel event,” he said. “We want everyone to know that it is not the good deeds of the faith community, but rather the body of Jesus – the church, therefore Jesus himself – providing this event.”
Lakeshore Church of Lake Norman Pastor Jeff Morrison said his congregation missed last year’s event because they didn’t know about it, but will help out this year by heading up the bookbag collection effort.
“Bookbags are probably the most expensive single back-to-school item that parents have to provide for their kids,” Morrison said. “School can be challenging, and we don’t want students to have to go without the things they need.”
Volunteers, unlike last year, will have guests register before entering the event instead of automatically fulfilling every request for a bookbag. Everyone wishing to receive a bag and food must be present at registration to receive a ticket.
Those only wanting to receive medical services and haircuts don’t need to register, Wilkinson said.
The event takes about $7,000 to run, he added, and the churches are still collecting donations to pay for tent rentals, food, promotion efforts and bounce houses. All donations are tax deductible, he said.
Volunteers from the Denver church community will also be available to provide some spiritual outreach, Wilkinson said. Love Denver will include a ministry resource area where residents can learn about Denver churches and nonprofits that provide spiritual guidance as well as material assistance.
“Truly our greatest objective is not just that the needy has food and water and material possessions,” Wilkinson said.
Want more information?
Go online to www.lovedenver.net. Those who want to donate items and money to Love Denver should email info@lovedenver.net.
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