Amerigroup Hosts Annual Back-to-School Bash

AUSTELL — Amerigroup Georgia hosted its annual “Tools for School 2024” back-to-school celebration at the Riverside EpiCenter this week.

The first day of school in the Cobb County School District is August 1.

Students at the bash were given free backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year.

On top of free school supplies, students and their families had free access to the EpiCenter’s bowling alley, arcade, and rock climbing center.

Amerigroup and other event vendors set up booths inside the EpiCenter’s gymnasium where guests could speak with representatives. Other vendors included Community Organized Relief Efforts and Cobb and Douglas Public Health.

In order to receive their backpacks, students and parents had to go around to each booth and talk to representatives about their services. After getting initials from each booth, students could take their initials card and trade it in for a backpack.

Amerigroup spokesperson Maria Henriquez said the organization prepared over 1,000 backpacks and were expecting a turnout between 500 and 1,000 people.

“Amerigroup is not only here to provide health insurance for them, we are also here to provide support for their social needs,” Henriquez said.

Truth McCla, a Nickajack Elementary sixth-grader, and his older brother Quimvintae Buford, attended the bash to take advantage of the free supplies.

“(The event) is helping back the community,” Buford said. “People don’t give back to their community (anymore)...but for somebody to come out and give back to all the kids, that’s good.”

Sisters Lily Collier and Kasey Collier got their faces painted for the first time at a face-painting booth. Lilly, a Hollis Hand pre-K student, chose a “tribal” design while Kasey, a Hollis Hand kindergartener, chose a cat design.

Yashica Burnett brought her niece, Trinity, and nephews, Jaxson and Jameson, to pick up new school supplies and enjoy the EpiCenter’s bowling alley.

“I think for me, (my favorite part) is learning about the different tables and the different things they had to offer within the community,” Burnett said.

Burnett, an Atlanta Public Schools employee, said CORE’s table was one of her favorite booths because she got to learn about their work helping families in need apply for different benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.

“During the summer months, it is extremely hard for parents when their children are not in school, and it becomes very expensive,” Burnett said. “Having those resources for the community, it makes a big difference.”

On top of their benefits assistance, CORE offered all attendees free COVID-19 vaccines and blood pressure screenings.

Jennelle McGovern brought her two kids, Connor and Madison McGovern, to the event after learning about it online. Connor McGovern said he’s excited about starting first grade at Clarkdale Elementary School.

What is he most excited about?

“Coloring!” Connor said.