Backpack Bonanza takes place Wednesday.

Backpack Bonanza takes place Wednesday.

By Kate Krieger-Watkins, MCP Correspondant. 

Around the County is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington.

LUDINGTON – Staircase Youth Services’ Back to School Backpack Bonanza will take place from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 11 at the Ludington Area Jaycees Mini Golf Course at Stearns Park. All Mason County students are invited to attend the free event. The first 250 participants will receive free mini golf, a free backpack and a variety of school supplies.

“We want to make this event as fun and safe as possible and come together as a community to help with the struggles purchasing school supplies,” Kerry VanHouten, of Staircase said. “The pandemic really caused a disruption in the normal school routine everyone was used to and so many young people and families had to deal with the unknowns. We want to give youth and families something to look forward to and have fun together outside. We want to see families laughing and joking together and leave knowing most, if not all, of their school supply list is checked off. We want to eliminate any barriers families may have and just enjoy a free community event. We also hope the event will give kids/families something to look forward to in preparation for the 2021-2022 school year.”

This year Staircase has partnered with Mason County Eastern and Mason County Central schools to provide transportation from the school to the event. If any family needs to sign up, they call 231-843-3200 and ask for Terryn.

“In 2019 we were able to service 193 Mason County youth with school supplies and in 2020 the pandemic shut down all community events,” VanHouten said. “This year for 2021 our goal is to service 250 Mason County youth with a backpack, school supplies, and a free game of mini golf. Staircase Youth Services partnered with local agencies, businesses, and schools who donated their time and funds to help make this event possible. It is amazing to see so much community support and willingness to contribute each year to make this event continue to grow and offer more support to families. This is one of the many reasons I love living in Mason County, we can all come together to support one another in the community.”

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