Each child attending the Back To School Fair was given a backpack for the upcoming school year.

The Tyler County Family Resource Network (FRN) held its fourth annual Back To School Fair on August 12, a mere two days before many area students returned to the classrooms.

This year, in addition to the numerous amount of supplies available, various services were also offered to families with students enrolled in Tyler County Schools in Pre-K through eighth grade. These services included haircuts, dental, optical, and hearing screenings.

The fair saw an amazing turnout, with approximately 350 students attending. While Tyler County FRN Director Katrina Byers noted that this was roughly the same amount as last year’s Back To School Fair, the amount of supplies and participation from community organizations greatly increased.

Byers explained that this increase in participation from churches, community organizations, businesses, and individuals allowed them to not only provide more supplies than were previously offered, but also allowed them to “double up” on supplies. As such, students were able to receive more supplies than in previous years.

Those donating supplies to this cause include the Harry E. and Olive T. Barth Charitable Trust, EQT, and area schools, among other organizations.

One little girl picks out a new toothbrush during the Back To School Fair.

According to Byers, the Harry E. and Olive T. Barth Charitable Trust was one of their biggest donors this year. This organization donated the backpacks that were distributed at the event, as well as several other school supplies.

While EQT did not donate to the fair this year, they were invited to hand out supplies once again. Byers said that this is because the company gave a large donation last year, and as a result, many supplies were left over. These unused supplies were given out this year by representatives from the company.

Also donating to the fair this year were area schools, who provided students with calculators and other supplies.

In addition to the supplies and services offered, attendees had a chance to win various door prizes that were also available at the Back To School Fair. These prizes included five bikes, gift cards, and other items that were distributed to winners following the fair.

In regards to the event and the donors, Byers said, “I want to thank Sistersville Elementary School Principal Krista DeVaughn. She was in charge of the event and did an excellent job. She was a huge help. I also want to thank the volunteers, community organizations, churches, and all those who donated or who helped hand out supplies.”

Byers also issued a thank you to the Style Center for offering haircuts. “If not for the Style Center, we wouldn’t have had hair cuts this year.”

Best wishes are offered to students as they head back to school this coming year.