Hundreds take to the ropes at Bristol’s Back to School Bash

The third annual Back to School Bash, hosted by 1Hope and sponsored by Jockey Being Family, featured inflatables, balloon art, ropes courses, food and other activities for families with foster and adopted children.

1Hope is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services for families with foster children. Jockey Being Family is a nonprofit organization that supports foster families.

At the event, children were given backpacks, including school supplies provided by Marine Toys for Tots.

“For most people, it’s synonymous. Backpacks and school supplies go hand in hand,” said AT Wilson, special projects coordinator for Marine Toys for Tots. “Jockey was kind enough to make backpacks and Toys for Tots made the school supplies.”

Valerie Anderson, Marine Toys for Tots operations accounting specialist, said events like the Back to School Bash help create excitement and a positive association with going to school.

“If it’s a joyful time and (the kids) have a great experience. That correlates to what they will see going forward,” she said.

Sara Depies, president of HDI Wholesale, who helped put it all together, said the event “lets people know we care about them.”

“We want to support you, we want you to get well,” she said. “We are here for you.”

1Hope Board Chair Ray Knight said he felt “grateful and encouraged by the way the community is coming together to love these families”.

“As volunteers, we feel like we don’t do enough, but when we talk to the families we really feel how grateful they are,” he said. “For us, it feels a little bit like it’s not enough, but for them it really makes a difference.”

Knight said there remains a shortage of licensed and active foster families and said 1Hope can help interested foster families connect with the Department of Children and Family Services. For more information, visit 1Hope.community.