PHYRE to host 14th annual Back to School Bash
BY SAM VISE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — The annual People Helping YOUth Reach Excellence Back to School Bash returns to LaFayette on July 25 with free school supplies, food and fun.
“This will be our 14th year doing this countywide event, and it’s completely free,” PHYRE Founder and Executive Director Adrian Holloway said. “One of the things that’s important to me is making this a community‑friendly event that anyone can attend, so a financial barrier is not there.”
The event will take place on the LaFayette High School band field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. Holloway said attendees can look forward to waterslides, inflatables, outdoor games, prizes, music and free food like hot dogs and Kaydence’s Kool & Zesty Frozen Slushies.
But the ultimate mission of the Back to School Bash, Holloway said, is to empower the youth and strengthen the community by giving students the tools they need to succeed.
Over its 14-year history of serving local families, PHYRE has distributed nearly 5,000 backpacks to local students. This year’s supply of backpacks and school materials will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
“I think it’s important to give people tools to be successful,” Holloway said. “In this particular situation, we’re giving out school supplies to get students started on the right foot. I want to connect them to different resources and PHYRE so that we can continue to follow them throughout the year and make sure they have what they need.”
Holloway is already taking steps toward that goal with the launch of Becoming Her, a PHYRE initiative that mentors middle school girls and equips them with tools they need to succeed in life.
“We want our young women to be healthy and ready for their future, whatever that looks like for them,” Holloway said. “We want to make sure our impact goes beyond just the Back to School Bash, so Becoming Her is a way to do that.”
PHYRE will have a tent at the event where visitors can learn about Becoming Her and other initiatives, alongside a variety of other community resource vendors.
Holloway said her favorite part of the Back to School Bash is bringing the entire Chambers County community together.
“That’s the one day that we can bring the community together around a common goal, and that’s helping these youth to get started for their school year,” she said.
PHYRE is a local nonprofit dedicated to youth empowerment through education, leadership development, life skills, mentorship and community engagement. Visit the PHYRE People Helping YOUth Reach Excellence Facebook page for more details.
