Turning Point Coalition has Back to School Bash
Okie Christmas Toy Run and the Durant Elks Lodge teamed up recently for a fish fry to raise funds for backpacks and back-to-school supplies.
Renee Smith, a member of the board of directors for Okie Christmas Toy Run, said the fish fry at the Elks Lodge helped Bryan County children in need of school supplies. Okie Christmas Toy Run is a group of motorcyclists who raise funds to purchase Christmas toys.
Members of Three Valley Riders motorcycle club also volunteered to help with the event.
Okie Christmas Toy Run is also preparing for the Okie Toy Run that raises funds to benefit the Durant Lions/Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program, Smith said.
Okie Christmas Toy Run board member Lori Jo Reid said this was the second year for the organization to partner with the Elks Lodge.
“Freedom (Chrysler) is our biggest sponsor,” Reid said. “They’ve already provided 200 backpacks for us to get started and then we will jump towards the Okie Toy Run which is the second weekend in December.” She said they were also able to buy 98 new pairs of shoes for children in need.
John Borysewicz, Elks exalted ruler, said the Elks made the back room of the club available for the fish fry.
“So, hopefully, we raise a lot of money for it because back to school supplies is pretty expensive, and our organization’s a non-profit organization and a primary focus is to give back to the community,” Borysewicz said. “So, this is not the first time we’ve had a benefit here. It’s not going to be the last time.
“We do a lot for youth activities in Durant. We sponsor a couple of Little League teams, girls soccer team. We give out scholarships every year. We donate to local schools. At the beginning of the school year last year, we donated flags to every school in Bryan County.”
After the event, Reid said $2,360.00 was raised for the school supplies drive.
Last Sunday, 220 backpacks containing school supplies were given away at the Elks Lodge.
“Haircuts were offered for free,” said Elk David Nankivil. “Durant Elks furnished the room for event, and donated $2,500 to the event. This has and will become an annual event.”
The Bryan County Turning Point Coalition had its Backto- School Bash Saturday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library and the organization said they were able to serve more than 500 students by providing backpacks, school supplies, and valuable community resources to help them begin the school year with confidence.
The coalition thanked its sponsors, community partners, volunteers and everyone who contributed to making the event a success.
“The Back to School Bash is about more than backpacks and school supplies,” the coalition said, in a social media post. “It’s about showing our children and families that they are supported, valued, and surrounded by a community that cares about their future.”
