Lufkin Junior League hosts ‘Back-to-School Bonanza’ for families in need

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - The Junior League of Lufkin is hosting their annual Back-to-School Bonanza with help from many local volunteers. Evemt chair Caroline Leslie Oates talked about how they prepare supplies and essentials for the Angelina County families.

Oates said, “We serve families in the community who are in need of uniforms, school supplies, essentials such as lice kits, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, deodorant, anything like that; also, shoes socks and undergarments.”

As community volunteers packed supplies for the event, Scott McIlhany of Brunch with Brothers said, “It’s a lot of fun. Everybody’s got a great attitude, everybody’s working together and trying to find a quicker way, more efficient way, to pack them.”

Oates said the event is free to Angelina County families, and families who are not pre-registered have the opportunity to do so when they arrive.

“When you get here on Saturday, we’ll have people directing you to get in line. Once you’re in line, someone will come to your window, and they will help you get registered,” said Oates.

Oates said 626 families have pre-registered for the event, the most since the back-to-school bonanza started.

“We had the Lufkin baseball team. They helped us pick up...uniforms from JC Penny, and then we had Lufkin softball team here helping unload supplies and get organized. Today, right now, we have the Lufkin basketball team here and then later we have the Lufkin Boys and Girls club coming and serving,” said Oates.

She said the biggest highlight of the event is the community involvement.

“The community comes together days before the event to help get everything situated; we’re organized. They’ve done it before and so each year we just continue to grow as a community,” said Oates.

Omaria Hobson of the Lufkin girls basketball team said, “It’s just special when you get to give back to people when you know they don’t have anything. Sometimes you may not have anything, and it’s good to give back.”

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