‘Drive-through’ Back to School Fair set for Aug. 29

By Sequim Gazette Staff • August 12, 2020 1:30 am
Janet Gray (third from right) and volunteers fill bags with school supplies for students at the 2019 Sequim Back To School Fair. This year’s fair is set for Aug. 29. With a number of health restrictions in place, organizers have changed the event to a “drive through” model. Sequim Gazette file photo by Conor Dowley
Janet Gray (third from right) and volunteers fill bags with school supplies for students at the 2019 Sequim Back To School Fair. This year’s fair is set for Aug. 29. With a number of health restrictions in place, organizers have changed the event to a “drive through” model. Sequim Gazette file photo by Conor Dowley

Like many community events affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sequim’s annual Back to School Fair that brings needed school supplies and information to local students is being re-engineered.

The fair, set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club facility at 400 W. Fir St., will be a “drive through” event.

Students can pick up grade-appropriate, pre-packaged school supply parcels without having to leave their cars, though event organizers encourage participants to wear masks. Volunteers will be on site to guide families from the Sequim High School stadium parking lot on West Fir Street to the pick-up site.

Families with students at Greywolf Elementary may drive through anytime between 10 a.m.-noon, while families with students at Helen Haller Elementary may drive through between noon-2 p.m. Families with students at Sequim Middle School, Sequim High School and Olympic Peninsula Academy may drive through anytime between 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

This is the eighth year for the Back to School Fair event. Individuals from several local organizations collaborate each year to plan, raise funds and host the Sequim event, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Kiwanis, Parenting Matters Foundation/First Teacher, Sequim Community Helping Kids, Sequim School District and the United Way of Clallam County.

“This is my fifth year of involvement through Sequim Community Helping Kids in helping with the Back to School Fair,” said Nan Burris, this year’s planning committee chairperson.

“It has been a difficult year to plan for because of all the unknowns that the pandemic has caused. This is the first time we have tried the drive-through format, but it looks like it will work out well for our Sequim families.”

Event organizers are also raising funds for the event that pay for school supplies and backpacks to be distributed at the event. Those interested in sponsorship or making a monetary donation can visit www.bgc-op.org and make a donation online (note BTSF in the “Donation Notes” section).

In lieu of booths usually a part of our event, an informational flyer detailing local resources and organizations is being developed and added to each school supply packet. Organizations wishing to be included on the flyer are asked to email information to Patsene Dashiell at patsene@firstteacher.org no later than Friday, Aug. 21.

For more information, contact Burris at secohelpingkids@gmail.com.