An upcoming Back to School Bash in New Kensington will be open to grade school children in need from anywhere.

“We’re going to give them a stocked book bag,” said Laurie Johnson-Wade, a founder of Lost Dreams Awakening, one of the event sponsors. “Our theme is: Positioning Them for Success.”

The event will be held Aug. 21, at Lost Dreams Awakening, located in the rear at 408 Eighth St. in New Kensington. It is being co-sponsored by Greensburg-based Unity in the Community.

In addition to school supplies, there will be food, music and community resource information.

“We want to equip them and arm them with things they need to at least be able to start their school journey in a more equitable way,” Johnson-Wade said.

Everything will be free, she said.

The only requirement is for children to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and children must be present unless a disability would prevent them from participating. The Lost Dreams Awakening facility is handicapped accessible.

While anticipating most of those benefiting will be from the New Kensington-Arnold area, and knowing other communities also are having such events, Johnson-Wade said families in need from outside the area who miss one in their own community will be welcome.

Advance registration deadline

Advance registration is not required but is preferred on a bulletin board at Lost Dreams Awakening or by calling a message line at 724-212-7899 by Aug. 12. Callers should leave the child’s name, age, gender and a return phone number, Johnson-Wade said.

“Every child must get a stocked book bag. We’ll have more than enough food,” she said. “I’m going to have some backups just in case the numbers get bigger than the registration. I wouldn’t want to see one child left out.”

Lost Dreams Awakening first held the event in 2017 but has not held it since 2019 because of the covid pandemic. This year marks its return.

In the past, Johnson-Wade said they have given supplies to between 70 and 100 children.

This year is the first time Unity in the Community is partnering in the event, said group founder Ronel Baccus of Greensburg.

Baccus said she is helping to bring in organizations such as the Blackburn Center in Greensburg, state Department of Health, the Neighborhood Resilience Project, Laurel Legal Services and Voice of Westmoreland, all of which will have information available.

“I want everyone to come out to enjoy and have fun and let the children have fun,” Baccus said. “This is all about them enjoying the day.”

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